Mental Wellness Advocate & Care Specialist

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan with company matching

Accelerated PTO accrual

Cell phone discounts

Tickets at Work

Headspace subscription

Employee Assistance Program

Student loan forgiveness programs

Job summary

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD in Houston, Texas seeks a Mental Wellness Advocate and Care Specialist to support psychiatric treatment teams and collaborate with licensed nursing staff.

You will provide direct care to individuals with mental health and developmental disabilities, foster a safe environment, document progress, and help with daily living tasks, while promoting trauma-informed care and patient dignity.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 1 year of direct care experience in a psychiatric or behavioral healthcare environment preferred.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Promote a physically and emotionally safe environment, ensuring regular rounds and patient and property searches are conducted to allow patients to focus on managing illnesses and disabilities for healing.
• Aid in basic patient care such as eating, bathing, dressing, and teaching and encouraging basic hygiene and daily living skills while tracking progress to identify need for additional services or changes in treatment.
• Provide behavioral emergency assistance, including patient restraint using approved Agency curriculum or basic first aid when needed, and recognize and report homicidal or suicidal behaviors.
• Monitor and document patient behavior during seclusion or when on precautions.
• Perform duties (e.g., vital signs, specimen collection) as delegated by nursing personnel or assigned by a physician.
• Utilize Standard Precautions appropriately to prevent the spread of infection.
• Respect the rights, dignity, and privacy of others.
• Interact with the community, colleagues, and patients by following key principles of a trauma‑informed approach.
• Assist with development of Psychiatric Technician I work schedules, daily assignments, hiring, and training of other Psychiatric Technician I staff.
• Facilitate communication among all staff regarding patient needs.
• Perform housekeeping duties when required or in the absence of housekeeping or cleaning crew.
• Demonstrate a positive and professional work ethic, serving as a role model to residents.
• Comply with agency policies, procedures, regulatory bodies, and perform contract documentation requirements.
• Contribute to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma‑informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

Skills

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Standard Precautions

Infection Control

Handle with Care

Crisis Intervention

Team coordination

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD in Houston, Texas seeks a Mental Wellness Advocate and Care Specialist to support psychiatric treatment teams and collaborate with licensed nursing staff.

You will provide direct care to individuals with mental health and developmental disabilities, foster a safe environment, document progress, and help with daily living tasks, while promoting trauma-informed care and patient dignity.