Mental Health Technician - Full Time

St. Francis-Emory Healthcare; Columbus (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bradley Center in Columbus, GA, part of St. Francis - Emory Healthcare, provides inpatient behavioral health services and advanced supportive care under RN supervision.

The Mental Health Tech II assists with ADLs, maintains a safe environment, facilitates groups, mentors staff, and supports treatment interventions. Position requires a High School diploma (Associate/Bachelor preferred), BCLS and NCI certifications, and 1+ year experience in behavioral health.

Qualifications

• Ability to establish therapeutic relationships with professional boundaries.
• Strong crisis management and de-escalation skills.
• Knowledge of behavioral health principles, patient rights, and trauma-informed care.
• Effective verbal and written communication with attention to documentation.
• Leadership to mentor and model professional behavior.
• Ability to remain calm and effective during emergencies.
• Commitment to confidentiality and hospital policies.
• Ability to monitor patients and environment in inpatient unit.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) including hygiene, nutrition, and mobility.
• Independently monitor patients for safety, including suicide risk, elopement risk, and adherence to precautions.
• Facilitate therapeutic groups and patient activities, encouraging engagement and skill-building.
• Support and mentor new or less experienced Mental Health Techs in daily responsibilities and best practices.
• Utilize advanced de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques to maintain a safe environment.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary treatment team, contributing behavioral observations to treatment planning.
• Accurately document patient care, behaviors, and progress in the medical record, including detailed shift notes.
• Assist in implementing individualized treatment interventions as directed by nursing and clinical staff.

Skills

Therapeutic relationships

Crisis management

Trauma-informed care

Documentation

Leadership/mentoring

Communication

Patient safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s or Bachelor's in Psychology/ Social Work or related field (preferred)

Job 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 Tech II provides advanced supportive care to patients receiving inpatient behavioral health services. Working under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, the Mental Health Tech II assists with activities of daily living, maintains a safe and therapeutic environment, facilitates group programming, mentors entry-level staff, and actively supports individualized treatment interventions. This position requires the ability to manage crisis situations, provide detailed observations, and contribute meaningfully to patient care planning and recovery goals.

Essential Functions

• Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) including hygiene, nutrition, and mobility.
• Independently monitor patients for safety, including suicide risk, elopement risk, and adherence to precautions.
• Facilitate therapeutic groups and patient activities, encouraging engagement and skill-building.
• Support and mentor new or less experienced Mental Health Techs in daily responsibilities and best practices.
• Utilize advanced de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques to maintain a safe environment.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary treatment team, contributing behavioral observations to treatment planning.
• Accurately document patient care, behaviors, and progress in the medical record, including detailed shift notes.
• Assist in implementing individualized treatment interventions as directed by nursing and clinical staff.
• Act as a liaison between patients and staff by supporting communication and addressing concerns promptly.
• Participate actively in quality improvement, safety initiatives, and staff education programs.
• Provide age-appropriate care across the lifespan in accordance with hospital policy.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Ability to establish therapeutic relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Strong crisis management and de-escalation skills.
• Knowledge of behavioral health principles, patient rights, and trauma-informed care.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail in documentation.
• Leadership skills with ability to mentor and model professional behavior.
• Ability to remain calm and effective during emergencies.
• Commitment to confidentiality and compliance with hospital policies and regulatory standards.
• 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

• 1+ years experience as a Mental Health Tech I or equivalent (Required) And
• Prior Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric, or healthcare setting (Required) And
• Prior Experience facilitating groups or mentoring peers (Preferred)