Psychiatric Technician I (Swing Back)

Albertina Kerr Centers; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 21,593 - 30,754; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid medical, dental, and vision employee benefits

401(k) retirement savings plan with up to 4% employer match

Paid internal training and career development

Job summary

Albertina Kerr Centers is looking for a Psychiatric Technician in Portland, OR to provide direct care and support to children experiencing acute psychiatric episodes. You will facilitate skills and education groups and support the children in their daily activities.

This role involves working in a multidisciplinary team and requires strong communication skills, with responsibilities including conducting evaluations, ensuring client safety, and implementing treatment plans. Benefits include paid medical, dental, and vision, life insurance, and more.

Qualifications

• Ability to interact effectively with clients, families, and peers.
• Adept problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct evaluations and assessments of clients.
• Ensure clients' personal safety and provide basic needs.
• Facilitate educational groups and therapeutic skills groups.

Skills

Ability to interact effectively with clients, families, and peers

Adept problem-solving skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Proficient computer skills

Basic math skills

Ability to lift and perform physical interventions

Education

High School diploma

Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) eligibility

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Campus Subacute - Portland, OR 97230

Position Type: Full Time (30+ hours per week)

Education Level: High School

Salary Range: $19.00 - $19.00 Hourly

Travel Percentage: None

Job Shift: Swing

Job Category: Children's Mental Health Services

At Albertina Kerr, we believe that all people thrive in nurturing and inclusive communities. Our mission is to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health challenges to lead self-determined lives in their communities.

As a Psychiatric Technician, you will provide direct care and support to children and adolescents experiencing an acute psychiatric episode. This is an extraordinary opportunity to enter and grow your career in the mental health field. You'll facilitate skills groups and education groups, guide structured recreational activities, and support the children and adolescents we serve in their daily activities. Kerr utilizes Collaborative Problem Solving in helping children with behavioral challenges. This strength-based model fosters the understanding that kids do well if they can.

Our Children's Psychiatric Crisis (Subacute) program offers short‑time, safe, and secure residential placement for children and teens who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Services focus on mental health stabilization, psychiatric evaluation, and transitional planning with an average length of stay around three weeks. Common diagnoses include major depression, suicide ideation, and anxiety. You'll support a diverse population, including transgender and nonbinary youth as part of an impactful, multidisciplinary team.

This is for a Swing Back shift Wednesday‑Saturday 1:00 pm‑11:00 pm.

Essential Duties

• Conduct evaluations and assessments of clients.
• Ensure clients' personal safety and provide basic needs: adequate food, clean clothing, and assistance in areas of hygiene when needed.
• Consult treatment plan to implement appropriate care for developmental needs.
• Teach social skills and provide appropriate opportunities for socialization.
• Facilitate educational groups and therapeutic skills groups for clients.
• Consistently fulfill the duties of a mandatory abuse reporter.
• Document notes and carry out incident reporting.
• Perform safe‑guarding interventions.
• Complete cleaning and housekeeping tasks.
• Position covered under SEIU Local 503 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Benefits

• Paid medical, dental, and vision employee benefits.
• Paid basic life & accident insurance and short‑ & long‑term disability.
• Paid internal training and career development.
• Paid holidays and generous time off.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with up to 4% employer match.
• 24‑hour Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) that provides resources for everything from mental health to pet insurance and financial counseling.

Qualifications

• Ability to interact effectively with clients, families, and peers.
• Adept problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills, and capacity to learn new operating systems and applications.
• Basic math skills.
• Physical requirements: Ability to lift, push, bend and pull, stand or move about; raise arms in an unsupported position, twist from side to side at the waist, reach for objects, perform similar repetitive hand operations or other fatiguing demands for over five hours per day.
• Ability to safely perform Oregon Intervention System (OIS) requirements for physical intervention techniques.

Additional Qualifications for Psychiatric TechnicianII

• Meets requirements to register as a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA). Visit MHACBO for more details.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in working with clients with high level of behavioral acuity.
• Understanding of age‑specific child development.