Mental Health Specialist

Mental Health Specialist

Position Summary

The Mental Health Specialist (MHS) plays a vital frontline role in the delivery of safe, therapeutic, and recovery-oriented care to adults experiencing acute psychiatric crises. Under the supervision of licensed clinical staff, the MHS supports milieu management, patient safety, therapeutic engagement, and behavior stabilization while upholding trauma-informed and person-centered care principles. The MHS establishes therapeutic relationships with assigned patients, helps patients with daily living and the overall maintenance of a therapeutic environment in the psychiatric unit. This position requires strong observational skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage high-acuity patients in a fast-paced inpatient setting.

Responsibilities

• Conducts and documents routine and as-needed safety checks (e.g., Q15, Q5, 1:1 observation)
• Monitors for changes in mental status, mood, behavior, and safety risks
• Reports concerning behaviors or clinical changes promptly to licensed staff
• Maintains a structured, therapeutic, and respectful unit environment
• Models appropriate boundaries, communication, and coping behaviors
• Supports daily unit routines, programming, and expectations
• Assists with the management of behaviorally dysregulated patients
• Utilizes verbal de-escalation, redirection, and grounding techniques
• Supports clinical staff during behavioral interventions, including restraints or seclusion when required, per policy
• Facilitates or co-facilitates psychoeducational and skills-based groups (e.g., coping skills, stress management, emotion regulation)
• Encourages patient participation and engagement in treatment programming
• Provides positive reinforcement aligned with treatment goals
• Provides care that recognizes the prevalence and impact of trauma
• Avoids re-traumatization by using respectful language, choice, and collaboration
• Responds to patient behaviors through a trauma-informed lens
• Takes vital signs, weighs patients and collects routine specimens
• Works under immediate supervision
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the field
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential job function
• Competent to meet age specific needs of the unit assigned

Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• OR MHS Certification and 2 years related patient care experience required
• Crisis prevention training, or must acquire within 6 months of employment, required
• BLS required

Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift and move up to 35lbs
• Must be able to maintain a sitting and/or standing position
• Typical equipment used in an office job
• Must be able to stoop, crouch, or bend
• Must be able to push, pull, or transport heavy equipment
• Exposure to needles, blood and body fluids, etc.
• Potential exposure to unpredictable individuals and volatile interactions
• Must be able to traverse with/without accommodation

About Kootenai Health:

Kootenai Health is a highly esteemed healthcare organization serving patients throughout northern Idaho and the Inland Northwest. We have been recognized with many accolades and distinctions, including being a Gallup Great Workplace, No. 1 Best Place to Work in Large Healthcare Organizations, and Magnet Status for Nursing Excellence. We pride ourselves on our outstanding reputation as an employer and a healthcare provider.

As your next employer, we are excited to offer you:

• Comprehensive medical coverage, including fully employer‑paid options for eligible full‑time employees, plus affordable plans for part‑time staff. Benefits begin on the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.
• Dental, vision, life, and pet insurance, with telemedicine and wellbeing resources available to all employees
• Tuition assistance after 90 days to support your professional growth
• Retirement plans with pre‑tax and Roth options and employer matching from 3%-6%
• Competitive pay, plus night, weekend, and PRN shift differentials
• Award‑winning wellness program with coaching, financial wellness resources, and free or discounted access to fitness centers and premium wellbeing apps
• PerkSpot discounts providing access to thousands of exclusive deals in over 25 categories
• And an employee referral bonus program

Kootenai Health provides exceptional support for extraordinary careers. If you want to work on a high-quality, person-centered healthcare team, we can't wait to meet you!

Apply today!

Kootenai Health complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sex. Kootenai Health does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sex.