MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN (MHT or CNA) – ADOLESCENT UNIT

Freedom Behavioral; West Monroe (LA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Freedom Behavioral Health is seeking Mental Health Technicians to join the Adolescent Unit, serving patients aged 12-17. You will provide direct support and supervision, help maintain a safe, structured environment, and collaborate with nursing and clinical staff.

Ideal candidates stay calm under pressure, communicate clearly, and maintain professional boundaries. Previous experience in behavioral health, adolescent care, education, childcare, or healthcare is a plus.

Qualifications

• Previous behavioral health, mental health, adolescent, education, childcare, or healthcare experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support and supervision to adolescent patients.
• Maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.
• Monitor patient behavior and communicate observations to nursing and clinical staff.
• Establish appropriate, professional relationships with patients.
• Assist with daily activities, groups, recreation, and therapeutic programming.
• Redirect inappropriate or unsafe behaviors using approved techniques.
• Participate in crisis prevention and de-escalation interventions as trained.
• Complete required documentation and safety checks.
• Assist nursing staff with patient needs within the scope of the MHT role.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Direct support

Safe environment

Behavior monitoring

Professional boundaries

Daily activities

De-escalation

Documentation

Team collaboration

Confidentiality

Multidisciplinary team

Job description

Are you someone who can connect with teenagers while maintaining structure, safety, and professionalism?

Freedom Behavioral Health is looking for Mental Health Technicians (MHTs) to join our Adolescent Unit, serving patients ages 12-17.

Our MHTs play an incredibly important role. You are often one of the staff members spending the most time with our patients—and your ability to listen, encourage, redirect, observe, and maintain a safe environment can make a meaningful difference.

What You'll Do

• Provide direct support and supervision to adolescent patients.
• Maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.
• Monitor patient behavior and communicate observations to nursing and clinical staff.
• Establish appropriate, professional relationships with patients.
• Assist with daily activities, groups, recreation, and therapeutic programming.
• Help redirect inappropriate or unsafe behaviors using approved techniques.
• Participate in crisis prevention and de-escalation interventions as trained.
• Complete required documentation and safety checks.
• Assist nursing staff with patient needs within the scope of the MHT role.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

What Makes a Great MHT?

• You genuinely care about helping young people.
• You can stay calm when situations become challenging.
• You have patience and strong communication skills.
• You understand the importance of boundaries and confidentiality.
• You can be supportive without trying to be a patient's friend.
• You are dependable and comfortable working as part of a team.
• Previous behavioral health, mental health, adolescent, education, childcare, or healthcare experience is a plus.

Why Join Freedom Behavioral Health?

• Make a difference in the lives of adolescents.
• Gain valuable behavioral-health experience.
• Work alongside nurses, therapists, physicians, and other professionals.
• Opportunities for additional shifts.
• Supportive team environment.
• Meaningful work where what you do every day matters.

If you have the patience, maturity, compassion, and personality to work with adolescents, we want to hear from you.