PRN On Call - Mental Health Specialist Norfolk Regional Center

About Norfolk Regional Center

The Norfolk Regional Center (NRC) was created by an act of the Nebraska Legislature in 1885. NRC currently serves two distinct populations of adult males who are committed by a Mental Health Board for inpatient psychiatric treatment. In 2006, NRC began providing treatment to individuals who have sexually offended. The Nebraska Sex Offender (SO) Treatment Program improves public safety by reducing the risk of re-offense, while also improving the quality of patients' lives. In 2018, NRC opened the Medical Support Program and began providing high quality nursing and medical treatment for men with significant physical conditions and a variety of psychiatric, cognitive, and aging issues. The program provides activities designed to maintain optimal functioning while at the same time meeting the specific psychiatric care and safety needs of each patient.

Make a Difference in a Structured, Secure Care Environment

The Norfolk Regional Center is seeking dependable, motivated individuals to join our team as Mental Health Specialists (MHS). In this role, you will provide hands-on care, supervision, and daily support to patients in a secure facility. This is a direct care position—not a licensed clinical or therapy role. MHS staff are essential to maintaining safety, supporting daily routines, and contributing to a structured therapeutic environment.

Job Duties

• Monitors the safety and security of patients within assigned unit.
• Assists with security procedures such as patient searches, room searches, and safety checks of the environment.
• Interacts with patients in care to instruct, orient and assist patients with program goals; report and/or document care delivery and observations.
• Monitors and provides assistance with activities of daily living including, feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting and other personal hygiene activities.
• Maintains safe and sanitary environment by performing laundry, housekeeping, and infections control standards.
• Recognizes emergency or crisis situations and intervenes as necessary utilizing appropriate behavioral interventional programs, verbal de-escalation techniques, and/or provide physical intervention that includes restraining patients. React in a calm, professional manner to support patients. Maintains a positive attitude with patients served and staff.
• Administer medication or first aid treatment, including lifesaving procedures.
• Lifts and repositions patients.
• Escorts and transports patients to appointments and activities inside or outside the facility.
• Objectively documents information related to patient care and activities. Uses computer programs to document and record patient data.
• Attends required in-service education and staff meetings related to continued employment and skill development.
• Participates in team meetings and activities.

Requirements & Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Be at least 19 years of age to work with adult client populations; be at least 21 years of age to work with adolescent client populations. You must possess a high school diploma or equivalent education.

Preferred Qualifications: One year or more combined experience or education in human services, related field, customer service, or military service.

Other: Must have a valid driver's license. This position requires proficiency in English, including the ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend the language effectively. State agencies are responsible to evaluate each of their positions to determine their individual overtime eligibility status as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Incumbents are required to work regularly scheduled shifts with predictable attendance and work overtime up to and including entire shifts. These positions are subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post disaster, etc.) Positions classified to this class may be exposed to infectious waste, communicable diseases, and blood and airborne pathogens such as TB, HIV and Hepatitis. May work with potentially dangerous patients. May be Required to acquire and maintain a Medication Aide certification. Must maintain an active Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, (CPR) certification, and behavioral intervention certification courses for facility requirements. Positions in this class may require an employee to possess a valid driver's license and provide a passenger vehicle with adequate liability insurance.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge of: safety and security measures required in the care of mentally ill patients; techniques of caring for physically and/or mentally ill patients; knowledge of principles and methods of maintaining a therapeutic environment.

Skill in: listening and understanding; communicating effectively as appropriate for the intended audience while supporting patients' daily living activities. Skill in participating in physical management of patients to maintain safety and care.

Ability to: complete courses and competency evaluations; interpret and follow all policies; provide quality daily care to patients; make decisions and act quickly in situations involving patient care or safety; use computer programs to document patient care information; count accurately and record numerical and alphabetical data; implement written treatment/training plans with supporting written and computer record keeping; effectively communicate with co-workers, management and patients; observe, recognize, report on physical status; offer support to lesser-experienced workers; stand on feet for long periods of time; work regularly scheduled shifts with predictable attendance; work overtime up to and including entire shifts.

Pay

$28.140/hour, plus shift differential pay for 2nd and 3rd shifts.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation. Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits