Therapeutic Program Worker

Northwest Ohio Behavioral Healthcare Agency, 930 South Detroit Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614. Hourly, union‑covered position (OCSEA/AFSCME). Contact: Donita Alcodray, 419‑381‑1881.

About the role

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders. We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio's prison systems, and the central office in Columbus. DBH values service‑oriented, collaborative, value‑driven, innovative, and urgent approaches. Our team advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. DBH is an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, fostering an inclusive, stigma‑free environment with wellness, second‑chance hiring, and recovery‑informed policies.

This position focuses on supporting adults in an inpatient hospital setting to develop essential independent living and social skills. The staff member works directly with assigned consumers, implementing personal and behavior plans and helping with skills such as hygiene, medication management, food preparation, budgeting, and social interactions. The role involves maintaining a safe and supportive environment, de‑escalating crises, modeling professional behavior, and transporting consumers to appointments as necessary. Staff work closely with team members to develop individualized service plans, document progress, and maintain the facility’s cleanliness, contributing to a structured and supportive community.

Responsibilities

• Help support and encourage daily living skills and assist with needs
• Complete various daily, weekly, and other required documentation
• Perform light housekeeping duties as needed to maintain safety and infection control measures
• Observe and report changes in symptoms, behaviors, accidents or injuries to Registered Nurse
• Redirect unsafe actions and participate in appropriate interventions to maintain a safe environment
• Organize and conduct patient group activities
• Implement personal and behavior plans for assigned consumers
• Assist with hygiene, medication management, food preparation, budgeting, and social interactions
• De‑escalate crises and model professional behavior
• Transport consumers to appointments as necessary
• Collaborate with team members to develop individualized service plans
• Document consumer progress and maintain facility cleanliness

Qualifications

• Formal education in arithmetic (addition & subtraction) and in reading, writing & speaking common English vocabulary
• High school diploma or certificate of high school equivalence (required for Department of Developmental Disabilities positions per OAC 5123:2‑3‑01(F)(1)(c))
• For positions at Veteran Services: STNA certification and/or listing on Ohio Nurse Aide Registry
• Valid driver’s license required for positions that involve operating a motor vehicle to transport consumers to recreational, educational, and/or occupational activities
• Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment as noted above

Pay

Hourly rate: $23.26 (Step 1 of OCSEA Pay Range Schedule, Range 7). Opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance, then yearly raises thereafter.

Schedule

• Permanent, full‑time
• Variable hours; shifts include 1st shift (7:00 am–3:30 pm), 2nd shift (3:00 pm–11:30 pm), and 3rd shift (11:00 pm–7:30 am)
• Weekends and holidays as needed

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after eligibility period
• Paid time off: vacation, personal, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave
• Education and development opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, etc.)
• Public retirement systems (OPERS, STRS, SERS, HPRS) and optional deferred compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)