Mental Health Technician

Mental Health Technician

At Sheridan Memorial Hospital, we proudly rank in the top 13.6% of U.S. hospitals, recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. With over 850 dedicated employees and 100+ expert providers across 25 specialties, we are committed to exceptional, patient-centered care. Set in northern Wyomings stunning Big Horn Mountain foothills, Sheridan offers outdoor adventure and community charm. Our hospital combines cutting-edge technology with a collaborative, innovative culture. Join a team that values your skills, fosters growth, and empowers you to impact lives meaningfully.

The Mental Health Technician (MHT) serves as a frontline member of the behavioral health care team for The Path Behavioral Health Center, supporting both crisis stabilization unit (CSU) and inpatient behavioral health services. The MHT provides direct patient support, therapeutic engagement, environmental safety monitoring, and assistance with daily operations to promote a safe, respectful, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented environment. The Mental Health Technician works collaboratively with nursing staff, providers, therapists, peer support specialists, security, and other interdisciplinary team members to support patient care needs, maintain a therapeutic milieu, assist with crisis intervention and de-escalation, and ensure patient safety. This role requires strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, professionalism, and the ability to respond calmly and effectively in high-stress situations.

Creates a welcoming, respectful, and therapeutic environment for patients, families, visitors, and staff. Provides direct observation and supervision of behavioral health patients in accordance with physician orders, nursing direction, unit protocols, and patient safety requirements. Maintains awareness of patient location, behavior, emotional status, and safety concerns while promptly communicating changes in condition to nursing staff. Assists in establishing and maintaining a safe, structured, and therapeutic milieu within the crisis stabilization and inpatient behavioral health setting. Utilizes trauma-informed care principles and therapeutic communication techniques in all patient interactions. Supports patients with activities of daily living, meals, hygiene, unit orientation, and therapeutic activities as appropriate to patient condition and level of care. Assists nursing staff with admission, discharge, transfer, and room preparation processes. Participates in patient rounding, safety checks, environmental checks, contraband searches, and ligature risk reduction procedures according to department policy. Assists with patient belongings inventory and documentation processes in accordance with regulatory and safety requirements. Monitors patient behavior and responds appropriately to escalating behaviors using approved de-escalation techniques. Participates in behavioral emergency response situations and assists with implementation of safety interventions within scope of role and training. Maintains patient dignity, privacy, confidentiality, and emotional safety during all care interactions. Facilitates or assists with therapeutic, recreational, and psychoeducational group activities as directed. Maintains accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record according to department standards. Assists with obtaining routine vital signs, specimen collection, weights, and other patient care tasks within scope of training and organizational policy. Maintains a clean, organized, and safe unit environment. Observes infection prevention and control practices and appropriate use of personal protective equipment. Demonstrates professional communication and collaboration with providers, nursing staff, peers, patients, families, law enforcement, EMS, and community partners. Supports patient flow and operational workflows within the behavioral health program. Conducts all activities in accordance with Sheridan Memorial Hospital mission, values, policies, EMTALA requirements, CMS Conditions of Participation, Joint Commission standards, HIPAA privacy and security requirements, and all behavioral health regulatory expectations. Ability to work any day of the week, including weekends, holidays, nights, and rotating shifts to support patient care and operational needs.

Education, Experience, Licensure High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) preferred. Current unrestricted Wyoming Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) License or Associate degree or college coursework in psychology, human services, social work, criminal justice, nursing, or related field, required. Minimum one year experience in behavioral health, healthcare, social services, emergency services, residential treatment, or related setting preferred. Current Basic Life Support (BLS), required. Central Registry, required. Completion de-escalation training is required within 1 year.

Ability to effectively communicate in English, both reading and writing. Multi-line telephone knowledge. Computer knowledge. Ability to operate designated equipment as specified included computer keyboarding. Basic clerical training, including basic filing procedures (both numerically and alphabetically). Ability to work under pressure with time constraints. Basic knowledge of medical record content and sequence. Ability to function independently with minimal direction. Specific demands not listed: Possible exposure to blood and / or body fluids / infectious disease / hazardous waste requiring the use of Personal Protective Equipment. Exposure to odorous chemicals / specimens and Latex products. Pre-employment drug and alcohol screening is required.

Sheridan Memorial Hospital is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.