Mental Health Technician

Description Who We Are Pawnee Mental Health is proud of the high-quality services we offer and the positive outcomes our clients achieve. Our employees are the heart of our organization, and each person contributes to our mission. We’re looking for motivated, passionate individuals who want to use their skills to support others. We believe people facing mental health or substance use challenges deserve the chance to live meaningful, productive lives. If that mission resonates with you, we encourage you to explore this role and join us in making an impact. What We Offer At Pawnee Mental Health, we are committed to supporting our employees’ well-being by offering a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including: HRSA- Health Workforce: Loan Repayment Program for Health Careers Continuing Education: Pawnee provides up to 5 days of additional paid leave for continuing education and a fund of up to $1,000 annually. Medical & Vision Insurance: Accessible plans to support your health needs offered through BCBS or Aetna. Dental Insurance : 100% covered by Pawnee for employees. Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS): Secure your future with KPERS retirement benefits, a lifetime pension program. Life Insurance: coverage up to 150% of your annual income and long-term disability insurance at no cost. Paid Holidays: Enjoy 8 paid holidays throughout the year. Generous PTO: Start earning 8 hours of PTO per month—equivalent to 12 days per year—with an increase to 24 days per year after your first anniversary. Paid Medical Leave: Receive a 40-hour bank of paid medical leave. Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access support resources for your personal and professional life. Supplemental Benefits: Additional life insurance coverage, ambulance transportation, short term disability, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and more. What You’ll Do CSU Operations: Monitor and maintain a safe, therapeutic environment for all clients on the CSU. Conduct routine client checks and document observations in accordance with policy. Provide support to clinical staff during crisis interventions, de-escalation efforts, and safety planning. Assist with daily routines including hygiene support, meal distribution, recreational activities, and medication pass support. Complete shift documentation, incident reports, and safety logs accurately and promptly. Participate in team huddles, shift change reports, and daily staff meetings. Crisis Line Support Answer incoming crisis line calls with professionalism, empathy, and adherence to de-escalation protocols. Conduct basic mental health triage, assess risk, and route calls appropriately to clinical staff when needed. Dispatch mobile crisis and monitor daily chats. Document all calls accurately in the electronic health record (EHR) or tracking system. Crisis Admissions: Assist with the Crisis intake process, gathering information, supporting documentation, and verifying eligibility criteria. Participate in initial stabilization efforts and coordinate logistics for admissions and transfers. Uphold confidentiality, ethical standards, and compliance with all relevant regulations and policies. Complete and maintain up-to-date required training for this position. Perform all other reasonably related duties assigned by immediate supervisor or other management personnel. Mobile Crisis Team Support Respond to community-based crisis calls as needed in collaboration with licensed clinicians. Provide immediate safety triage, safety planning, resource navigation, skill building, and family support during field interventions. Crisis Staff Expectations Complete and stay current on required training for the position. Adhere to the standards, policies and instructions established by PMHS Policy and Procedure and any applicable ethical codes within field of employment. Review and comply with the Pawnee Code of Conduct outlined in the Employee Handbook. Perform all other reasonably related duties assigned by immediate supervisor or other management personnel. Key Competencies: Strong observation and communication skills. Ability to remain calm and professional during high-stress situations. Cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse backgrounds. Team-oriented, dependable, and flexible in a dynamic environment. Work Environment: Mix of on-site (CSU) and off-site (community) work. High-intensity setting involving clients of all ages in acute crisis. Shift-based responsibilities including nights and weekends. Requirements Qualifications: Required: Must be at 18 years of age or older. High school diploma or equivalent. One year of experience working in mental health/crisis services General knowledge of mental health, substance use and housing systems of care Strong oral and written communication skills using the English language. Basic personal computer skills which enable the entry, retrieval and use of electronic data. A valid driver’s license and automobile liability insurance maintained in accordance with Pawnee policy and procedure. All employees will be required to submit to and pass a background check and drug screening. Preferred: Knowledge of the needs and challenges of adults and children who experience Severe and Persistent Mental Illness and Severe Emotional Disturbances. Experience with Microsoft Office Software. #J-18808-Ljbffr