Mental Health Specialist

Burke; Lufkin (TX); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Paid vacation and sick leave

Paid holidays

Employer-paid life insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Burke is seeking a dependable Mental Health Specialist to join our Mental Health Emergency Center team in Lufkin, TX. The role focuses on safety monitoring and direct support for adults on 24/7 Extended Observation and Crisis Residential Units.

Under supervision of the charge nurse and Crisis Program Director, you will monitor, document changes, intervene to de-escalate, and support engagement in treatment while assisting with activities of daily living.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Emotional maturity, self-discipline, flexibility, and strong verbal communication.
• Valid Texas driver's license.
• Driving record meeting Burke's insurance requirements.
• Reliable transportation.
• Ability to complete SAMA, CPR, First Aid, Defensive Driving, Van Driving, and other required training.

Responsibilities

• Monitor adults experiencing acute mental health needs and help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment.
• Observe individuals and document and report changes in condition or behavior.
• Intervene to de-escalate escalating situations.
• Encourage and support engagement in treatment services.
• Prompt, supervise, and assist individuals with basic activities of daily living.
• Provide safety monitoring on the Extended Observation and Crisis Residential Units.
• Transport individuals to medical services in the community when necessary.
• Provide services in accordance with Burke and Medicaid standards and requirements.
• Communicate effectively with nursing staff and other members of the treatment team.

Skills

Emotional maturity

Self-discipline

Flexibility

Verbal communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalence

Job description

Location: Mental Health Emergency Center | Lufkin, TX
Position Number: P#160
Compensation: $29,228 annually

About the Role

Burke is seeking a dependable and compassionate Mental Health Specialist to join our Mental Health Emergency Center team in Lufkin. This position provides safety monitoring and direct support to adults receiving services on the Extended Observation and Crisis Residential Units, which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Mental Health Specialist helps maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for individuals experiencing acute mental health needs. Responsibilities include monitoring individuals, assisting with activities of daily living, supporting engagement in treatment, intervening when necessary to prevent escalation, and observing, documenting, and reporting changes in condition or behavior.

This position works under the direct supervision of the charge nurse and general supervision of the Crisis Program Director.

What You'll Do

• Monitor adults experiencing acute mental health needs and help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment.
• Observe individuals and document and report changes in condition or behavior.
• Intervene when necessary to help prevent or de-escalate escalating situations.
• Encourage and support individuals in engaging in treatment services.
• Prompt, supervise, and assist individuals with basic activities of daily living.
• Provide safety monitoring on the Extended Observation and Crisis Residential Units.
• Transport individuals to medical services in the community when necessary.
• Provide services in accordance with Burke and Medicaid standards and requirements.
• Communicate effectively with nursing staff and other members of the treatment team.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to demonstrate emotional maturity, self-discipline, flexibility, and effective verbal communication skills.
• Valid Texas driver's license.
• Driving record that meets Burke's insurance requirements.
• Reliable transportation.
• Ability to successfully complete Satori Alternatives to Managing Aggression (SAMA), CPR, First Aid, Defensive Driving, Van Driving, and other required training.

Preferred

• Experience working with adults with mental illness.

Work Schedule

• Day shift: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Twelve (12)-hour shifts.
• Seven (7) shifts every 14 days.
• Weekend and holiday shifts are required on a rotating basis.
• The Extended Observation and Crisis Residential Units operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Eligible full-time employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to see, hear, and communicate effectively.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to walk as required throughout the workday.
• Ability to drive a vehicle as required for job responsibilities.
• Hand and finger dexterity sufficient to perform required job duties and operate necessary equipment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Burke is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic unless such characteristic is a bona fide occupational qualification.

Applicants must provide proof of identity and employment authorization as part of the hiring process. Final candidates are subject to background and driving record checks as part of Burke's pre-employment screening process.