Mental Health Technician IV - Crisis (Temporary Observation)

SpectraCare Health Systems, Inc.; Dothan (AL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

SpectraCare Health Systems, Inc. is seeking a Mental Health Technician IV for their Crisis Center in Dothan, Alabama. This role involves providing skilled direct care and oversight to individuals in the Crisis Stabilization Unit, ensuring their safety and well-being.

The ideal candidate will possess a high school diploma and knowledge in mental health and crisis intervention. Shifts include nights and weekends, and a proactive approach to crisis situations is essential.

Qualifications

• Ability to maintain safety for individuals in a crisis environment.
• Experience with crisis intervention.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and patient confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and supervise individuals in the CSU.
• Assist with daily living activities and ensure safety.
• Document observations and report to clinical team.

Skills

Knowledge of mental illness

Crisis intervention techniques

Patience and emotional stability

Effective communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Mental Health Technician IV - Crisis (Temporary Observation Unit)

Position is located at our Crisis Center in Dothan, Alabama.

Schedule: Week 1: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday (07:00 am-7:30pm). Week 2: Monday, Thursday, Friday (07:00 am-7:30pm).

Base Pay: $15.00/hr.

Position Summary/Function: Provide intermediate skilled direct care and oversight to individuals served in the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) and any associated units. Duties include monitoring individual behaviors and interactions, daily living activities, facilitating educational groups, teaching coping skills, encouraging treatment adherence, safety observations and other duties as assigned. This position is an "awake" position; therefore, no sleeping is permitted while on duty.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES / FUNCTIONS / TASKS

• Provide direct care and oversight to individuals served in the CSU and any temporary observation or mobile crisis teams, monitoring behaviors and interactions, daily living activities, safety observations, and other duties as assigned.
• Prepare snacks and/or meals for individuals as required.
• Visually observe individuals admitted into the unit to ensure safety, including performing 1:1 observation when required.
• Perform unit rounds, assessing unit safety and individual safety.
• Note significant changes in behavior and verbalizations, watch for cues of increased anxiety or agitation, and report to the clinical team.
• Assist staff with disturbed or violent individuals, requesting backup personnel as needed.
• Assist in educating individuals regarding behavioral and emotional techniques and support.
• Assist with the transfer and discharge of individuals, including dressing assistance, collecting belongings, and following discharge procedures.
• Use behavioral and crisis intervention techniques to prevent injury, ensuring a safe and therapeutic environment; respond to crisis situations calmly and effectively.
• Serve as a positive role model, maintaining therapeutic relationships and appropriate boundaries with individuals and families.
• Provide educational group facilitation when appropriate, planning, organizing, and leading skills‑based groups related to social skills, coping skills, self‑esteem, relaxation, etc.
• Document groups according to SpectraCare personnel and clinical policies, including relevant regulations such as the Alabama Administrative Code and CMS.
• Manage food inventory: order, store, and maintain appropriate quantities; maintain pantry stock and discard expired food; maintain unit cleanliness and hygiene standards.
• Assist with cleaning duty linens, ensuring individual treatment areas are clean and clutter‑free.
• Maintain individual records professionally, ensuring privacy and confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR, and other applicable laws.
• Ensure all written documentation is completed accurately, timely, and within required time frames.
• Ensure goals are appropriate, specific, and the focus of treatment; keep individual information up to date.
• Operate system vehicles safely, including wheelchair and handicap vehicles; assist individuals in and out of vehicles, load/unload, secure restraints, and maintain vehicle cleanliness.
• Conduct system vehicle maintenance checklists, follow cell phone policy while driving, and transport individuals as needed.
• Assist individuals with basic living skills, hygiene needs, and teach proper hygiene and grooming.
• Perform other duties, delivering individuals with respect and courtesy, ensuring timely documentation and compliance with policies.
• Respond promptly and courteously to inquiries; meet with supervisors as scheduled.
• Participate in trainings, workshops, in‑services, and administrative meetings as assigned.
• Maintain support duties for absent secretary when requested.
• Adhere to dress code, perform duties with minimal supervision, and work cooperatively with staff and families.
• Maintain highest standards of ethics and professional boundaries; manage work‑related stress for individual safety.
• Apply seclusion, protective holds, and restraints per policy; document crises and holds.
• Participate in shift unit reporting.
• Demonstrate willingness to work any unit/program per facility needs.
• Perform other necessary functions not otherwise specified.
• Maintain regular attendance with timely arrival and departure according to scheduled hours.
• Work full‑time with rotating assignments, including overtime, nights, weekends as scheduled.
• Remain awake during scheduled working hours to ensure individual safety.

NON‑ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES / FUNCTIONS / TASKS

• Attend all required job‑related/system training.
• Assist in other areas as needed.
• Assume related duties as assigned.
• Conform to system policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Knowledge of mental illness, substance use, developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder.
• Knowledge and understanding of crisis intervention techniques.
• Patience and emotional stability.
• Professional response in crisis situations.
• Wide variety of job task performance.
• Business English, spelling, arithmetic proficiency.
• Office practices and procedures knowledge.
• Ability to operate office machines such as computer, fax and copy machines.
• Ability to read instruction manuals and follow moderate oral/written instructions.
• Safe job‑task performance without endangering staff or assets.
• Follow detailed assignments with minimal supervision.
• Follow orders and directives, work with supervisor and other staff.
• Adhere to SpectraCare policy, HIPAA and 42 CFR for confidentiality.
• Adhere to health and safety standards.
• Stay awake during working shift.
• Basic knowledge of individual rights.
• Effective written and oral communication with mentally ill / substance‑use individuals.
• Adapt to varying conditions.
• Relay coping, positive attitude, and self‑esteem skills.
• Facilitate educational groups for unit individuals.
• Manage stress in stressful environments to ensure safety.
• Travel as necessary.
• Function within professional boundaries with patients and others.
• Assist in establishing support systems and interface with agencies, organizations, and groups.
• Establish effective working relationships with staff and organizational staff.
• Demonstrate initiative.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Complete initial new hire training.
• Complete required on‑the‑job training (OJT) by department.
• Obtain proper certifications needed to perform job duties.
• Complete annual training as required by the Alabama Administrative Code, CMS, and other applicable regulations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Occasional need to maintain back extension while being on stomach, with body weight on hips and legs for several minutes.
• Occasional need to place own body weight on knee and elbow on same side.
• Occasional kneel and reach toward floor.
• Strong grasp needed to open doors, maintain contact during restraint or hold procedures.
• Ability to ambulate quickly to assist with restraint procedures.
• Travel to facility locations with exposure to varying weather.
• Work location primarily temperature‑controlled with minimal desk sitting; practice good ergonomics.
• Physical ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds infrequently.
• Required to speak/hear staff, individuals.
• Required to stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, lunge, squat, reach frequently.
• Possible mopping, sweeping, making beds, washing/drying clothes.
• Exposure to disagreeable odors, chemicals, disinfectants, latex, noise, unpleasant sights, unpredictable behaviors, body fluids, contagious diseases, wet floors.
• Reasonable accommodations available to individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Valid Driver's license and good MVR.
• Pass background check and drug screen as required.
• Meet insurability requirements to drive a system vehicle (age 21).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• At least one year of clinical experience in direct client care.
• At least one year of clinical experience in mental health setting.