Psychiatric Technician - MCOT

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

Benefits offered by this job

$5000 program stipend

Cell phone discounts

Headspace subscription

Job summary

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD is seeking a MCOT Psychiatric Technician I to join our team in Houston. This role focuses on maintaining a safe, structured environment for youth in care and actively monitors the unit to prevent incidents using trauma-informed de-escalation techniques.

Responsibilities include vital signs, specimen collection as delegated, and cooperation with the treatment team.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 1 year of direct care experience in psychiatric or behavioral healthcare preferred.
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe, structured environment for youth in care.
• Monitor unit and de-escalate using trauma-informed techniques.
• Perform duties such as vital signs and specimen collections as delegated.
• Follow Standard Precautions to prevent infection.

Skills

Effective communication

Crisis intervention

Infection control

Team coordination

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD（“The HARRIS CENTER”） is looking for a MCOT Psychiatric Technician to join our team! The MCOT Psychiatric Technician is responsible for maintaining a safe, structured, and supportive environment for youth in care. The MCOT Psychiatric Technician actively monitors the unit, builds positive rapport with youth, and uses trauma-informed de-escalation techniques to prevent behavioral incidents. Staff are expected to remain engaged, anticipate potential conflicts, and intervene early to maintain safety. While the primary goal is prevention and de-escalation, staff must also be prepared to respond appropriately to behavioral emergencies in accordance with agency training. Be part of a team that believes prevention is powerful, structure creates safety, and every interaction matters.

Your Duties

• The MCOT Psychiatric Technician I performs related work as assigned and adapts to changing work requirements.
• The MCOT Psychiatric Technician I demonstrates ethical conduct in all professional activities.
• MCOT Psychiatric Technician I performs duties (e.g. vital signs, specimen collections) as delegated by the registered nurse or assigned by the physician.
• MCOT Psychiatric Technician I utilizes Standard Precautions appropriately and participates in monitoring, to prevent the spread of infection.
• The MCOT Psychiatric Technician I complies with Agency policies and procedures and MCOT Operating Guidelines.
• The MCOT Psychiatric Technician I will work any assigned crisis days. Responsibilities include contacting all new referrals, answering office telephone calls, completing medication deliveries, completing welfare checks and responding to Emergent and Urgent classified referrals with SAI when requested.
• The MCOT Psychiatric Technician I is available to provide any assistance not listed above to the Agency, Program Director, Medical Director, RN, Clinical Team Leads, or staff as requested and required.

Education

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma.

Experience

• 1 year of direct care experience in psychiatric or behavioral healthcare environment preferred.

Other Key Qualifications

• Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Must enjoy working in the mental health field
• Experience working with individuals in crisis preferred

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Understanding of Standard Precautions and Infection Control Procedures.
• Knowledge of and the ability to apply Handle with Care Crisis Intervention Techniques (HWC III).
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to coordinate patient care with treatment team.

What We Have To Offer

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well‑being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well‑deserved breaks. Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well‑being. Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

What Else You Should Know

• This position is associated with position #8787
• Monday - Friday (12PM-8PM; willing to work holidays to support 24/7 365 unit
• Bilingual preferred
• $5000 program stipend

About Us

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provides care to over 90,000 people and has an annual budget of over $300 million. As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the largest communities in the nation. By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.