Mental Health Specialist - Lincoln Regional Center

State of Nebraska; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Nebraska’s Lincoln Regional Center is seeking Mental Health Specialists to support adults in a 24‑hour psychiatric environment. You’ll work across shifts, assist with daily living activities, document observations, and help ensure safety and recovery goals are met.

Experience in behavioral health is valued; a valid driver’s license is required. Wages start at $28.14 per hour plus shift differential, with on‑call possibilities based on availability.

Qualifications

• Be at least 19 years old to work with adult populations; at least 21 for adolescents.
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent education.
• Valid driver's license is required for this position.
• Experience in behavioral health or related care settings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor safety and security of patients within the unit.
• Assist with security procedures, searches, and safety checks.
• Document care delivery and observations for patient records.
• Assist with activities of daily living and personal hygiene.
• Maintain a clean, safe environment and follow infection control standards.
• Respond to emergencies using de‑escalation techniques and, if needed, safe intervention.
• Administer medications or first aid and transport patients as needed.
• Attend in‑service trainings and participate in team meetings.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

JR2026-00029985 Mental Health Specialist - Lincoln Regional Center (Evergreen) (Open)

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency

Health & Human Services - Agency 25

Location

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate

$28.140

Job Posting

JR2026-00029985 Mental Health Specialist - Lincoln Regional Center (Evergreen) (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On

(If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed)

Job Description

Are you looking for meaningful work where you can make a difference every day?

Lincoln Regional Center (LRC) is a 24-hour, state-operated psychiatric hospital that provides specialized inpatient treatment and recovery-focused services for adults experiencing serious mental health conditions. As a secure healthcare facility, LRC offers around-the-clock care, support, and supervision in a structured therapeutic environment. Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to promote patient safety, recovery, skill development, and successful community reintegration.

We are seeking compassionate, dependable, and motivated individuals to join our team as Mental Health Specialists. In this role, you will work directly with adults receiving psychiatric treatment, helping them achieve recovery goals while maintaining a safe, therapeutic, and supportive environment.

Experience working directly with individuals experiencing mental health or behavioral challenges is highly valued. Candidates with related experience in corrections, direct support, or other care-focused settings are also encouraged to apply.

Application Requirement (Please Read Carefully)

To be considered for this position, applicants must complete the Education section of the application. Applications with incomplete education information may not receive further consideration.

A valid driver's license is required for this position.

Why Join Lincoln Regional Center?

At LRC, you'll be part of a team dedicated to helping Nebraskans experiencing serious mental health challenges regain stability and independence.

Wage: $28.14 per hour, plus applicable shift differential

Shifts at LRC

• 1st Shift: 6:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
• 2nd Shift: 2:45 p.m. – 11:15 p.m.
• 3rd Shift: 11:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
• Employees will work a combination of 8- and 12-hour shifts.

On-Call Positions

Based on availability, on-call positions may be available.

On-call Requirements

• Work a minimum of 32 hours per month.
• At least 16 hours must be weekend hours, defined as 2:45 p.m. Friday through 7:00 a.m. Monday.
• Work one major holiday per year.

Dress Code

3 sets of scrubs will be furnished by LRC to all Full-Time Mental Health Specialists.

Job Duties

• Monitors the safety and security of patients within assigned unit.
• Assists with security procedures such as patient searches, room searches, and safety checks of the environment.
• Interacts with patients in care to instruct, orient and assist patients with program goals; report and/or document care delivery and observations.
• Monitors and aids with activities of daily living including feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting and other personal hygiene activities.
• Maintains safe and sanitary environment by performing laundry, housekeeping, and infection control standards.
• Recognizes emergency or crisis situations and intervenes as necessary utilizing appropriate behavioral intervention programs, verbal de‑escalation techniques, and/or provides physical intervention that includes restraining patients. React in a calm, professional manner to support patients. Maintains a positive attitude with patients served and staff.
• Administer medication or first aid treatment, including lifesaving procedures.
• Lifts and repositions patients.
• Escorts and transports patients to appointments and activities inside or outside the facility.
• Objectively documents information related to patient care and activities. Uses computer programs to document and record patient data.
• Attends required in‑service education and staff meetings related to continued employment and skill development.
• Participate in team meetings and activities.

Requirements/Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Be at least 19 years of age to work with adult client populations; be at least 21 years of age to work with adolescent client populations. You must possess a high school diploma or equivalent education.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year or more of combined experience or education in behavioral health, mental health, healthcare, human services, or a related field.
• Experience working with individuals who may have behavioral, mental health, medical, or other support needs, with the ability to remain calm and professional in challenging or crisis situations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, document information accurately, follow safety and security procedures, and work collaboratively as part of a team.

Other

• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Must be able to push, pull, bend, and lift up to 50 pounds continuously and support and assist up to 200 pounds occasionally.
• This position requires proficiency in English, including the ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend the language effectively.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Knowledge of: safety and security measures required in the care of mentally ill patients; techniques of caring for physically and/or mentally ill patients; knowledge of principles and methods of maintaining a therapeutic environment.

Skill in: listening and understanding; communicating effectively as appropriate for the intended audience while supporting patients’ daily living activities. Skill in participating in physical management of patients to maintain safety and care.

Ability to: complete courses and competency evaluations; interpret and follow all policies; provide quality daily care to patients; make decisions and act quickly in situations involving patient care or safety; use computer programs to document patient care information; count accurately and record numerical and alphabetical data; implement written treatment/training plans with supporting written and computer record keeping; effectively communicate with co-workers, management and patients; observe, recognize, report on physical status; offer support to lesser‑experienced workers; stand on feet for long periods of time; work regularly scheduled shifts with predictable attendance; work overtime up to and including entire shifts.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.