Mental Health Practitioner / Clinical Program Therapist 2

State of Minnesota; Wadena (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring incentive

Job summary

State of Minnesota's Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) agency is hiring a Mental Health Practitioner to join the Minnesota Specialty Health System (MSHS) in Wadena. The role involves rehabilitative services for individuals with serious mental illness, within an Intensive Residential Treatment Services facility, focusing on skill-building and community engagement to promote independence.

The position offers a competitive hourly wage with a possible $2,500 hiring incentive and requires compliance

Qualifications

• Valid MN Driver's License (must maintain).
• Two years of combined experience in at least four of the listed activities.
• Substitution options: 1 year of relevant experience may be substituted by a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or behavior analysis; or a bachelor’s in human services with substantial behavioral health coursework.

Responsibilities

• Assess client treatment needs, behaviors, and progress to inform treatment plan modifications.
• Guide staff in implementing treatment plans and interacting with residents to reinforce adaptive behaviors.
• Conduct skill-building activities for discharge readiness (e.g., cooking, hygiene, budgeting, and household organization).
• Coordinate client reintegration into the community to promote independence and self-management.
• Participate as a team member to coordinate with established team operations.
• Serve as lead worker to ensure medication program delivery and other services during a shift.

Job description

Mental Health Practitioner / Clinical Program Therapist 2

Working Title: Mental Health Practitioner
Job Class: Clinical Program Therapist 2
Agency: Direct Care and Treatment

• Job ID: 96514
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 08/21/2026
• Closing Date: 09/01/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Direct Care and Treatment / DCT MAPE State Operated Svcs
• Division/Unit: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment Services / MSHS Wadena Clinical
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Rotating Shift / 7:30am-4:00pm; 2:30pm-11:00pm
• Days of Work: Varies and every other weekend; may include holidays
• Travel Required: Yes; less than 5% for off-site meetings and to transport clients according to their treatment plans
• Salary Range: $28.75 - $42.16 / hourly; $60,030 - $88,030 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCT does not participate in E-Verify.

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary

*** This position may be eligible for up to a $2,500 hiring incentive ***

Minnesota Specialty Health System (MSHS) in Wadena is seeking a Mental Health Practitioner to join our team in providing rehabilitation and supportive residential services for individuals with serious mental illness and possible co-occurring disorders. As an Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS) facility, MSHS Wadena focuses on rehabilitative education, building interpersonal skills, and developing community engagement skills to increase each client’s independence and self-management of their illness, behavior, and emotion.

Job Duties:

• Assess client treatment needs, behaviors, and progress towards goals as a basis for developing or modifying treatment plans.
• Guide program staff in the implementation of treatment plans and personal interactions with residents to develop and reinforce adaptive behaviors.
• Conduct skill development activities to help individuals improve skills needed for discharge, such as cooking, personal hygiene, budgeting, and household organization.
• Coordinate client reintegration and placement into the community to promote consumers' independence, autonomy, personal responsibility, and personal control.
• Participate as a team member to coordinate and collaborate consistently with established team operations.
• Serve as lead worker to ensure delivery of the medication program and other services during a designated shift.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Possess and maintain a valid MN Driver's License
• 2 years of combined experience in at least 4 of the 6 activities listed below:
  • Providing direct care and therapeutic support of individuals
  • Assisting with assessment of behavior health challenges including data collection
  • Experience leading and/or facilitating educational groups or therapeutic activities with individuals with mental health symptoms
  • Experience developing or implementing support plans or treatment plans that addresses behavior through adaptations, activities, interventions, education, engagement, and support
  • Assisting in planning and hand-off communication of support plans and strategies for supporting individuals upon discharge
  • Developing/assisting in development of behavioral interventions and recommendations for interdisciplinary staff implementation

*1 year of relevant experience requirement may be substituted by a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or behavior analysis; the experience requirement also may be substituted by a bachelor’s degree in human services or a related behavioral health field that includes substantial behavioral health coursework such as: individual or group counseling, clinical interviewing, clinical assessment, crisis intervention, or similar behavioral health courses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with treatment plans, assessments, and clinical documentation
• Direct care experience within a mental health or behavioral health treatment setting

Additional Requirements

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – Direct Care & Treatment will conduct reference checks to verify job‑related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.

EDUCATION VERIFICATION -Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their high school diploma at time of interview OR copies of their college transcript or college degree/diploma at time of interview. Copies of the college degree/diploma are acceptable ONLY if it clearly identifies the field in which it was earned.

Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) healthcare facilities require employees to provide documentation that they are free from tuberculosis (TB) through a blood test prior to employment. DCT does not accept TB skin testing.

About Direct Care and Treatment

DCT operates a highly specialized behavioral health care system that serves people with mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. This includes psychiatric hospitals and other inpatient mental health treatment facilities; inpatient substance abuse treatment facilities; dental clinics, group homes, vocational sites, and sex offender treatment facilities.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov )

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES