Crisis Bed Mental Health Technician PRN/On-Call

Summary/Objective

Under the supervision of the Lead Crisis Bed Shift Supervisor, the Mental Health Technician is responsible for providing a variety of direct client care duties and unit support functions to children and adolescents with a wide variety of psychological and emotional problems in a Crisis Bed setting. The incumbent is dedicated and committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate, and therapeutic client care.

About the Role

Essential Functions
Clinical Role in Crisis Bed Setting: Closely monitor clients and complete observation rounds using required safety protocols. Implement a person-centered plan as identified, assist each individual in meeting the outcomes identified in the approved plan, and assure applicable supports are provided for each client. Deliver solution-focused and trauma-informed interventions to maintain safety, build skills, and address problem solving, communication, and relationship conflicts. Create an engaging unit milieu to maintain a therapeutic and safe environment with a goal to achieve high patient satisfaction. Plan, prepare, and deliver group therapeutic activities for clients. Use critical thinking and risk management skills when connecting with clients in Crisis Bed. Understand warning signs and risk factors associated with suicide risk and risk of harm to others. Maintain professional, trauma-informed, and empathetic interactions during interactions with children, families, and stakeholders. Develop comprehensive skills providing support for children and youth in Crisis Bed.

Functional Role In Crisis Bed Setting
Obtain groceries and prepare meals following planned menu. Support in areas of daily living (prompt clients for completion of personal care including hygiene and self-administration of medication). Provide a clean, safe environment and safe delivery of care. Provide education support. Work respectfully and cooperatively together as a unified team member in a professional manner with other Crisis Bed staff, families, and community members. Assume responsibility for professional development of self and contribute to and assist with the professional development of others.

Case Management
Assure electronic documentation and verbal shift reports are completed accurately and timely before the end of each shift.

General Responsibilities
Uphold professional standards of treatment and the mission of the organization. Maintain a quality code of conduct, ethics and professionalism. Provide goal-directed and team-oriented services. Communicate effectively and professionally with all stakeholders. Ensure compliance with all policies and procedures and licensing regulations.

Competencies/Capabilities
Reliability & Flexibility
Customer Service
Written and Verbal Communication
Collaboration and Teamwork
Crisis Intervention and Risk Assessment
Supervisory responsibilities: None
Work environment: Lewes, DE
Physical Demands: Frequent walking, standing, twisting, bending, squatting. Proficient auditory and visual skills. Travel required: Travel for specific tasks
Minimum Qualification: High School Diploma or Equivalent. Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record. Must be at least 21 years of age or older.
Preferred Qualification: Direct work experience leading groups, de-escalating behaviors, and managing multiple clinical diagnoses. Experience working in an inpatient or residential/group home setting. Bilingual.

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A

Benefits

N/A

Qualifications

Must successfully complete all agency required training within 30 days of employment and maintain timely applicable certification. Must successfully complete refresher trainings within the identified timeframes.

Skills

Reliability & Flexibility
Customer Service
Written and Verbal Communication
Collaboration and Teamwork
Crisis Intervention and Risk Assessment

Benefits

N/A

Company Information

Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc. (DGS) is the largest provider of outpatient behavioral health services to children and families in Delaware. We operate offices in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Lewes, and Seaford, and we are the only statewide not-for-profit outpatient behavioral health organization for children and adolescents accredited by JCAHO. In 2020, we were honored as a Compassionate Champion for our dedication to serving youth and families using a trauma-informed approach. Through DGS, clients and families have access to outpatient counseling, group therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and school-based services. Our community-based service lines serve youth and families who require a more intense therapeutic protocol. DGS’ 24-hour statewide Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) dispatches skilled crisis intervention clinicians to provide immediate care to children experiencing behavioral health crises. Therapeutic options are available for a wide range of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, traumatic stress-related disorders, and suicidal ideation. In 2021, DGS clinicians provided over 54,000 direct care hours to children, youth, and families in Delaware. Over 93% of clients report improvement in their level of functioning following treatment, and therapeutic benefits derived from trauma-informed care extend to clients’ siblings, caregivers, classmates, and peers. Our client population is racially and ethnically diverse; 80% of DGS clients are Medicaid recipients and 90% have household incomes under $30,000. Many of our clients present with significant treatment challenges including learning impacts due to missed school and negative economic impact due to parental missed work. We provide care to anyone in need, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay for care. DGS also provides services specifically tailored to meet the unique behavioral health care needs of child welfare-involved families and foster youth.