Psychiatric Technician (QMHA)

Albertina Kerr Centers; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision benefits

Life & Disability Insurance

Training & Career Development

Paid Holidays

401(k) with 4% match

Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

Job summary

Albertina Kerr Centers in Portland, OR is seeking a Psychiatric Technician who is QMHA registered or eligible to support children and adolescents through acute psychiatric episodes. The role includes facilitating groups, guiding activities, and applying a strength-based model using Collaborative Problem Solving.

Responsibilities include safety, basic needs provision, implementing treatment plans, and teaching social skills. The position covers all shifts and is under a CBA with SEIU Local 503.

Qualifications

• QMHA certification required.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant area or 3 years of behavioral health experience.
• QMHA eligibility must be achieved within 90 days after start of employment if not already certified.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and assess clients.
• Ensure clients’ safety and provide basic needs.
• Consult treatment plans to implement care.
• Teach social/therapeutic skills and group activities.
• Document notes and incident reporting.
• Complete cleaning and housekeeping tasks.
• Responsible for safeguarding interventions.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Computer skills

Basic math

Stamina/physical endurance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Basic computer tools

Job description

Job Details

• Location: Campus Subacute - Portland, OR 97230
• Position Type: Full Time (30+ hours per week)
• Education Level: 4 Year Degree
• Salary Range: $20.25 - $20.25 Hourly
• Job Shift: All Shifts
• Job Category: Children's Mental Health Services

Role Overview

As a Psychiatric Technician who is QMHA registered or eligible, you will provide direct care and support to children and adolescents experiencing an acute psychiatric episode. Your duties will include facilitating skills groups and education groups, guiding structured recreational activities, and supporting the children and adolescents in their daily activities. The program utilizes Collaborative Problem Solving to address behavioral challenges in a strength‑based model.

Essential Duties

• Conduct evaluations and assessments of clients.
• Ensure clients’ personal safety and provide basic needs: adequate food, clean clothing, and assistance with hygiene when needed.
• Consult treatment plans to implement appropriate care for developmental needs.
• Teach social skills and provide opportunities for socialization.
• Facilitate educational groups and therapeutic skills groups for clients.
• Consistently fulfill mandatory abuse reporter duties.
• 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‑and 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 counselling.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant area of study as defined by the QMHA certification or 3 years of relevant behavioral health occupational experience.
• QMHA certification required. Passage of QMHA eligibility at 90 days after start of employment is required if employee does not have it at time of hire.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in working with clients with high level of behavioral acuity.
• Understanding of age‑specific child development.
• Ability to interact effectively with clients, families, and peers.
• Adept problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to constantly apply adequate visual and auditory senses to supervise and care for individuals served.
• 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.