Mental Health Tech

St. Francis-Emory Healthcare; Columbus (GA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bradley Center, the psychiatric and behavioral health arm of St. Francis - Emory Healthcare in Columbus, GA, seeks a Mental Health Worker to provide supportive inpatient care.

Under RN supervision, you will assist with ADLs, maintain a safe environment, monitor behavior, and support treatment interventions to promote recovery. Responsibilities include observation, crisis intervention, documentation, and collaboration with the care team to meet individualized goals in a sensitive inpatient

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; additional degree preferred.
• Associate’s or Bachelor's in Psychology, Social Work, or related field preferred.
• Strong understanding of behavioral health principles and patient rights.

Responsibilities

• Assist with activities of daily living and maintain a safe environment.
• Observe patients, report changes in behavior or condition to nursing staff.
• Monitor safety including suicide risk precautions and crisis intervention.
• Support therapeutic programming and group activities.
• De-escalate crisis situations using approved techniques.
• Document patient care and progress in the medical record.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary treatment team on goals.
• Provide age-appropriate care across the lifespan.

Skills

Therapeutic interaction

Communication skills

Behavioral health knowledge

Safety practices

Patient rights

Stress management

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Crisis intervention

Observation and reporting

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate’s or Bachelor's in Psychology or Social Work (Preferred)

Job description

Description

Become part of The Bradley Center, the psychiatric and behavioral health arm of the St. Francis - Emory Healthcare in Columbus, GA. As a dedicated mental health hospital, The Bradley Center complements St. Francis’s acute care offerings and shares in the system’s recognized commitment to quality, patient safety, and community trust. With the backing of a hospital network that earns multiple honors and accreditations, The Bradley Center is uniquely positioned to deliver specialized, compassionate psychiatric care in support of our region’s holistic well-being.

Job Summary

The Mental Health Worker provides supportive care to patients receiving inpatient behavioral health services. Working under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, the Mental Health Worker assists with activities of daily living, maintains a safe and therapeutic environment, monitors patient behavior, and supports treatment interventions. This role contributes to the overall care team by observing, reporting, and documenting patient progress, assisting in crisis intervention, and participating in therapeutic activities designed to promote recovery.

Essential Functions

• Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) including hygiene, nutrition, and mobility.
• Observe patients and promptly report changes in behavior, mood, or physical condition to the nursing team.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment.
• Monitor patients for safety, including suicide risk precautions, elopement risk, and use of restraints per policy.
• Support therapeutic programming by encouraging patient participation and assisting in group activities.
• De-escalate and intervene in crisis situations using approved techniques to maintain safety.
• Accurately document patient care and progress in the medical record.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary treatment team to support individualized treatment goals.
• Provide age-appropriate care across the lifespan in accordance with hospital policy.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Ability to interact therapeutically with patients while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of behavioral health principles, safety practices, and patient rights.
• Ability to manage stressful situations and respond calmly in emergencies.
• Team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and compliance with regulations.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear.
• Frequent reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting of patients or objects up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
• Ability to visually and audibly monitor patient behavior and safety needs.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Work performed in an inpatient behavioral health unit with potential exposure to patients experiencing psychiatric crises.
• May involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials, following standard precautions.
• Noise level may be moderate to loud depending on patient activity.
• Requires flexibility in scheduling, including weekends, holidays, and varying shifts to meet patient care needs.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or Equivalent including education equivalent to completion of secondary school or demonstrated ability to perform the essential functions of the role. AND Associate’s Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field (Preferred

Licenses/Certifications

• BCLS - Basic Life Support Upon Hire (Required) And
• NCI -Non-violent Crisis Intervention or current program Within Facility-Specified time frame (Required)

Experience

• Experience working in a behavioral health, psychiatric, or healthcare setting preferred.