Mental Health Technician - MH/BH (2:45PM- 11:15PM)

Kempsville Center For Behavioral Health; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Plans

401(K) with company match

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Wellness Programs

Job summary

Kempsville Center for Behavioral Health in Norfolk, VA seeks a Mental Health Technician to support patients and treatment teams. You will help implement treatment plans, facilitate group sessions, and monitor patient behaviors to promote safety and progress.

Responsibilities include documenting progress, de-escalating crises, communicating with the multidisciplinary team, and maintaining therapeutic boundaries in a fast-paced clinical setting.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in psychology, Human Services, Early Childhood Education, Social Sciences, or related field (or equivalent)
• QMHP-C certification and no experience or 6 months experience with children in a therapeutic setting
• CMHP certification or related credentials may be required per program policies
• Ability to stay calm and de-escalate challenging situations
• Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal skills, and confidentiality

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret treatment plans and develop strategies to help patients learn acceptable behaviors
• Develop and facilitate group sessions aligning with individual treatment goals
• Observe and record patient behaviors; communicate with multidisciplinary team to attain treatment goals
• Assist with behaviour management and crisis intervention with appropriate techniques
• Utilize shift reports and meetings to enhance communication among staff
• Conduct ongoing rounding to monitor patients and respond to potential crises
• Maintain respectful interactions with patients, families, and co-workers and uphold boundaries

Education

Associate’s degree in psychology or related field

QMHP-C certification

6 months of experience with children in a therapeutic setting

Strong written and verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Ability to de-escalate situations

Confidentiality

Behavior management knowledge

Job description

Responsibilities

Kempsville Center for Behavioral Health is a leading community partner providing acute, residential, and Partial Hospitalization treatment for children and teens exhibiting behavioral and/or mental health concerns. The hospital provides high quality care to children, adolescents and their families using quality, evidence-based practice treatments. Founded in 1986, Kempsville Center for Behavioral Health is a 106-bed hospital facility accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) and licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia and The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

Website: https://www.kempsvillecbh.com/

Position Description

The Mental Health Technician serves as a role model for patients/residents to observe and help patients/residents learn socially effective values, attitudes and behaviors. Ensures environment remains safe and normative culture remains positive throughout facility. Contributes to formulation, implementation and revision of the patients/resident individual treatment plan through regular communication to the multidisciplinary treatment team. Promotes cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development to equip patients/residents with the knowledge and skills to help patients/residents achieve treatment goals.

Job Duties/ Responsibilities

• Read and interpret treatment plans for patients/residents and develop appropriate strategies to help patients/residents learn acceptable behaviors
• Develop and facilitate group sessions for the implementation of skill acquisition and behaviour reduction plans that align with individual patient/resident treatment plan goals
• Observe, collect, and accurately record observed patient/resident behaviours, write detailed and thorough progress notes, and communicate with multidisciplinary treatment team to identify, implement, and attain prescribed treatment goals
• Assist with behaviour management and crisis intervention by creating learning opportunities that support positive normative culture and utilizing appropriate intervention techniques to re‑direct behaviour of patients/residents
• Utilize established mechanisms to enhance communication among and between staff (i.e., shift reports, team logs, staff meetings, etc.)
• Conduct continuous and on‑going rounding to accurately assess and monitor patients/residents per doctor’s orders and milieu to proactively prevent or respond to potential crisis situations
• Ensure consistent service delivery by treating patients/residents, families, and co‑workers with respect, appropriately communicating and responding, and demonstrating appropriate boundaries

Benefit Highlights

• Competitive Compensation & Generous Paid Time Off
• Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plans
• 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
• Tuition Reimbursement program and student loan refinancing
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)
• Life Insurance and Disability Insurances
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Wellness Programs and other voluntary benefits
• Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ Subsidiaries!
• More information is available on our Benefits Guest Website UHS Benefits Service Center

About Universal Health Services

One of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500® corporation, annual revenues during 2025 were $17.4 billion. In 2026, UHS was again recognized as one of Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™ and in 2025, was listed in Forbes ranking of America’s Largest Public Companies.
Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 101,500 employees and continues to grow through its subsidiaries. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioural health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located in 40 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. For additional information visit www.uhs.com.
From Fortune, ©2025, 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in psychology, Human Services, Early Childhood Education, Social Sciences, or related field
• In lieu of a degree, at least 6 months of experience working directly with children in a therapeutic setting OR
• In lieu of a degree, QMHP‑C certification and no experience

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to remain calm and de‑escalate situations with patients
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Ability to maintain strong interpersonal relationships
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Working knowledge of behaviour management
• Broad knowledge and understanding of common mental health diagnoses (e.g., Anxiety, Depression, Psychosis, ADHD, Bipolar, Suicide, and others)

Licensure/ Certification

N/A

Shift Details

Evening shift (2:45pm- 11:15pm) with rotating weekends and holidays

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements for this position include being able to stand, squat, kneel, sit, and lie on the floor for long periods of time. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. of weight. Must be able to read, write clearly, talk, and listen. Must be 21 years old or older.

Exposure Categories

Blood borne disease exposure category: Category I

EEO Statement

All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.