Mental Health DSP (Direct Support Professional)

Mental Health Technician / DSP

Reports to: Mental Health Housing Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Approved By: Chief Executive Officer

Date: 4/2024

Values

Employees of Darke County Recovery Services, DBA Recovery and Wellness Centers of Midwest Ohio are expected to value highest ethical standards, quality clinical care, and good customer service. We also value quality communication skills in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary and often multi-agency service environment.

Summary

The Mental Health Technician facilitates a peaceful environment and provides oversight to the residents residing in the mental health housing operated by RWC. RWC is an equal opportunity provider/employer.

Benefits

RWC offers a competitive benefit package including medical, dental and vision. Employer paid short term, long term disability insurance as well as a $25,000.00 life insurance policy for all full time employees. Along with 10 paid holidays, full time employees receive a PTO package that starts accruing at day one, averaging 4 weeks per year. We have an EAP program for staff and a wellness hour monthly. All employees are eligible to participate in our 403B retirement program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists the Mental Health Housing Director in overseeing the operations of the respite/transition home and in assuring that the facility is in good repair, is safe, and maintains a peaceful environment.
• Actively participates in residential intake, discharge and care plan development.
• Assures that all residents adhere to program and policy requirements and will routinely log outcomes and participation. Will work diligently to create a safe environment in which the residents can work towards their personal mental health goals.
• Will assist with room checks and administer drug screens as directed to assure a drug and alcohol-free recovery environment.
• Records client vital signs as received; notifies nurse of any changes
• Continuously observes clients' behavior, mental status and notifies any changes or unusual occurrences.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify behaviors that require intervention.
• Able to perform client safety checks at scheduled times, documents appropriately.
• Responsible for assisting clients needing additional care related to medical needs
• Demonstrates the ability to set limits for clients and other de-escalation techniques.
• Answers the telephone in a professional manner, directs calls appropriately, and takes messages.
• Maintains a team approach through communication, documentation, following policies and planning with mental health housing staff. Will participate in assigned trainings and team development meetings as assigned.
• Will assist with the provision of daily presence in mental health housing
• Will assist residents in obtaining food.
• Will assist the Mental Health Housing Director in maintaining appropriate certifications and licenses for facilities.
• Will assist in the completion of reports for grants, funding, referral sources, etc. in a timely and professional manner.
• Will work closely with community partners and referral agencies to promote high quality and effective services by strategizing and promoting communication and cooperation.
• Will inform Mental Health Housing Director and/or CEO of repairs or updates needed in facilities.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications: An Associate's degree in a Social Services or Psychology related field preferred. 3+ years' work experience in behavioral health may be considered in lieu of degree

Supervision available "in-house" from appropriate supervisory staff

Oral and written communication skills

Displays good customer service skills with clients and community at large

Competency in areas prerequisite for performing activities noted above with supervision

Utilizes computer well enough to perform clinical documentation as well as generate written documentation in WORD or via email

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hand to finger; handle, or feel; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Employee must also be able to climb and descend a flight of stairs. Specific vision requirements of this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Will be working in a facility environment with multiple individuals; should be aware of proper food preparation and storage, safety and health issues, prevention and intervention with insects. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The employee may be exposed to communicable diseases and insects such as bedbugs. Employee may be required to transport a resident to a community service or activity.