Mental Health Technician

Mental Health Technician / Behavioral Health Technician

Mississippi State Hospital | Whitfield, MS (15 miles southeast of Jackson)

State Classification: Behavioral Health Technician I

Service area: [Adult Receiving / Long-Term Psychiatric / Adolescent / Women's Substance Recovery]

Start your behavioral health career where it matters most

At Mississippi State Hospital, Mental Health Technicians spend more time with patients than almost anyone on the team. You'll be there for people living with serious mental illness as they stabilize, build skills and prepare to return home. We're the largest facility run by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, and we serve more than 1,300 patients a year, from adolescents to adults. Our 282-bed hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission, and our care is trauma-informed, person-centered and focused on recovery.

If you have a degree in psychology or a related field and want hands-on experience that builds toward a career in behavioral health, we'd like to meet you.

What you'll do

Direct care and safety

• Watch patients throughout your shift, and report changes in condition, mood or behavior to nursing and the treatment team
• Take vital signs, and help with daily routines, walking, transfers and rehabilitation activities
• Help keep the unit safe and calm by using de-escalation skills
• Use approved protective interventions, including restraints when necessary, following hospital policy and training
• Go with patients to offsite appointments when needed

Therapeutic support

• Lead or co-lead psychoeducational groups, classes and supportive activities under the supervision of a licensed clinician
• Help carry out care plans and behavior support plans
• Collect and record behavioral data, and give reports to supervisors
• Talk with doctors, patients and families, and help teach patients about their care
• Keep accurate records in the electronic health record

What you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field, such as social work, education or criminal justice 
• New graduates are welcome. Experience in mental health, direct care, youth work or a related field is a plus.
• The ability to stay calm, patient and respectful in stressful situations
• Strong observation, communication and note-taking skills
• The physical ability to respond quickly in emergencies and help with patient transfers [add lifting requirement]
• Willingness to complete training in CPR and protective interventions
• Male applicants ages 1826 must be registered with Selective Service

Why you'll love working here

Pay and benefits

• Competitive state salary
• Health and prescription insurance, plus wellness benefits
• Life insurance, with optional discounted dental, vision and cancer coverage
• Paid personal, sick and military leave
• State retirement programs and deferred compensation
• State Credit Union membership

Room to grow

• A clear career ladder from Behavioral Health Technician I to II. With a master's degree, you can move up to Behavioral Health Specialist roles.
• Training in CPR, AED use and protective interventions
• Experience across acute, long-term, forensic and adolescent care, which is valuable for graduate school and future licensure
• A teaching setting with an APA-accredited doctoral psychology internship and a graduate practicum program
• Career development, training and chances for promotion

A culture that recognizes you

• Monthly MSH STARS celebrations for Employees of the Month, service milestones, promotions and new certifications
• Annual Employee of the Year awards, including a Direct Care category
• Perfect attendance awards, plus campus traditions like MSH Day and National Hospital Week
• An on-campus employee dining room

A great place to work

• A 350-acre wooded campus just 15 miles from Jackson's restaurants, entertainment and events
• A team of nearly 1,000 professionals providing care around the clock

How to apply

• Online:
• Questions: View phone number on click.appcast.io

Mississippi State Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. [Insert the client's full EEO statement from their careers page]

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