Adolescent Psychiatric Technician 3 FullTime(DOH/NMBHI#13579)

About the role

The New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute (NMBHI) provides care across six divisions including hospital-level inpatient psychiatric care (civil and forensic), residential treatment for adolescents, outpatient care for behavioral health disorders, detox and residential substance use treatment, and skilled/long-term care. As the state’s largest behavioral health complex, NMBHI serves over 250 inpatients/residential clients daily and about 400 outpatient clients monthly, supported by over 600 employees. The psychiatric technician role exists to provide care and assistance to all patients in a hospital setting, supporting nursing and treatment staff by helping patients with basic needs, monitoring safety, and communicating symptom updates to the treatment team. The position works in a psychiatric hospital setting with exposure to visual display terminals, computers, and phones, and may involve unpredictable patient behavior.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with Activities of Daily Living (cuing to eat, shower, attend activities).
• Assist in crisis situations and help de‑escalate symptomatic or agitated patients.
• Monitor all patients and ensure safety, including completing checks at identified intervals up to one‑to‑one observation.
• Provide feedback to nursing staff and treatment team regarding observed symptoms and functioning.
• Ensure the environment is clean and comfortable for all patients.

Qualifications

High School Diploma and two (2) years of experience pertaining to the essential duties of the classification. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling two (2) years may substitute for the required experience.

Skills

• Experience working with people who have behavioral health diagnoses.
• Experience assisting people with activities of daily living.
• Experience working in healthcare.
• Experience working in treatment teams.

Requirements

• Possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver’s License.
• Obtain a Defensive Driving Certificate.
• Position is designated safety‑sensitive; subject to pre‑employment and random drug and alcohol testing per federal and state law.
• Must pass a nationwide criminal background check; employment is conditional pending results.
• Must successfully complete Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) training.
• Position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement; all terms/conditions of that agreement apply.

Pay

Hourly rate: $20.56 – $30.85; Annual salary: $42,773 – $64,160. This position is classified as Pay Band C4.