Mental Health Therapy Technician - Oregon State Hospital Salem Campus
About the role
Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today! – Mental Health Therapy Technician (MHTT)
As a Mental Health Therapy Technician (MHTT), you will play a vital role in caring for individuals with behavioral health conditions. Working under the clinical supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) and in accordance with the Oregon Nurse Practice Act, you will provide direct patient care, deliver behavioral interventions, and help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment.
Core Responsibilities
Direct Patient Care: Assist with activities of daily living, treatment activities, and safe patient transportation. This may include taking vital signs, patient transfers, bathing and grooming, and reporting patient observations.
Therapeutic Interventions: Deliver targeted behavioral and medical interventions, de-escalate patients in behavioral health emergencies, and actively foster a positive, healing atmosphere on the unit.
Clinical Compliance: Ensure all support care is performed safely and strictly adheres to Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) standards.
Working Conditions
This position provides care for patients who may present a danger to themselves or others. Work may involve exposure to infectious disease, noise, bodily fluids, hazardous medications, behavioral interventions, and manual or mechanical restraints. Employees must be able to frequently move up to 20 pounds, occasionally move up to 60 pounds vertically, and perform prolonged standing, bending, twisting, and squatting. Schedules may change with little notice and may include overtime or double shifts. Occasional driving or accompanying patients in vehicles may also be required.
Minimum Qualifications
Eighteen months of customer service experience in crisis management, safety or mental health settings, assisting individuals in behavioral or mental health crises;
OR
A two-year associate’s degree in a related field;
OR
Any combination of education and experience that commensurate with the above requirements.
Desired Attributes
Mental Health Background: Experience working in the mental health field, specifically with adult or geriatric populations in a psychiatric hospital setting.
Patient Mobility & Care: Experience performing medical interventions under nursing supervision, including safely lifting, turning, and ambulating patients using proper body mechanics.
Crisis & Behavior Management: Experience managing or participating in responses to behavioral crises, escalating agitation, aggression, and psychiatric emergencies.
Observation & Intervention: Ability to observe and document patient behaviors (including potential for violence) and safely intervene using redirection or other behavioral strategies.
Patient Engagement: Therapeutic Rapport: Experience interacting with patients to build trust and facilitate the treatment process.
Activity Facilitation: Participation in client activities (e.g., games, outings, late-night activities) to promote and model healthy coping skills.
Workplace Culture & Technology: Commitment to Diversity: Demonstrated ability to create and maintain a respectful, inclusive work environment for all team members and patients.
Technical Adaptability: Proficiency with basic computer applications and ability to adopt new technologies and tools to enhance the quality of care.
Additional Requirements
Must be able to work more than 8 hours in a day and/or 40 hours in a week as required.
May require working on-call and/or rotating schedules.
Application Guidance
Your candidate profile and application are your opportunity to showcase your skills and interest in this role. Submissions will be reviewed for clarity, consistency, and communication skills, and for alignment with the guidance provided in the below:
Ensure the work history in your applicant profile is up to date and/or attach your current resume that clearly outlines your education and work experience relevant to this position.
Answer all supplemental questions completely and accurately.
Before submitting, confirm that all required materials are included, and your Workday Job History is current.
Contact Information
Recruiter: Jenny Templin
Email: Jenny.Templin@oha.oregon.gov
Phone (text friendly): 971-372-8147