Therapeutic Program Worker - Established Term Appointment (ETA)

Location: 100 Hospital Drive, Athens, OH 45701 | Contact: Alaina Bare (Alaina.Bare@dbh.ohio.gov) | Union: OCSEA | Classification: Unclassified, Temporary Part‑Time

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 six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio's prison systems, and the central office in Columbus. DBH values: Service‑Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused), Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent), Value Driven, Innovative (Yes Before No), Strong Sense of Urgency. Our team advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. DBH is an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well‑being of all employees, including those in recovery, fostering an inclusive, stigma‑free environment with wellness, second‑chance hiring, and recovery‑informed policies.

Responsibilities

• Support adults in a residential setting to develop essential independent living and social skills.
• Work directly with assigned consumers, implementing personal and behavior plans.
• Assist with hygiene, medication management, food preparation, budgeting, and social interactions.
• Maintain a safe and supportive environment; de‑escalate crises.
• Model professional behavior and transport consumers to appointments as necessary.
• Collaborate with consumers and professionals to create and implement Individualized Service Plans and Behavior Plans tailored to each consumer’s needs.
• Monitor and assess consumer progress, recommending revisions to service and behavior plans as needed.
• Participate in program development and direction, adhere to guidelines set by the Program Director, and contribute to the residential support team’s service plan.
• Attend agency, program staff, and consumer meetings, as well as relevant committees, to facilitate program objectives and share insights on consumer needs.
• Complete accurate records, logs, and documentation related to consumer observations, behavioral changes, progress, and service interactions in a timely manner.
• Help maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the residential facility on a daily basis.
• Attend required training sessions to improve skills and knowledge relevant to the role; follow agency policies on computer and software usage.
• Uphold a professional, friendly demeanor when interacting with visitors and the community to enhance public relations and customer satisfaction.
• Adhere to established safety practices, procedures, and agency policies to ensure a safe environment for consumers and staff.

Qualifications

• Formal education in arithmetic (addition & subtraction) and in reading, writing, & speaking common English vocabulary.
• High school diploma or certificate of high school equivalence pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 5123:2‑3‑01(F)(1)(c).
• Valid driver’s license required for positions that involve operating a motor vehicle to transport consumers to recreational, educational, and/or occupational activities.
• Official transcripts required for all post‑secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application; must be submitted before a formal employment offer. Transcripts printed from an institution’s website are not accepted. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of request results in disqualification.

Skills

• Direct Support / Direct Care
• Technical: Mental Health, Behavioral Health, Communications, Customer Service, Therapy/Therapeutical Services
• Professional: Critical Thinking, Building Trust, Listening, Emotional Trust, Emotional Intelligence, Confidentiality, Observation, Adaptability

Pay

Hourly rate: $23.28 (Step 1 of OCSEA Pay Range Schedule, Pay Range 7). Opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and yearly raises thereafter. Established Term Appointments (ETA) are scheduled to meet hospital needs with no guarantee of hours, shifts, or assignment location; appointment length not to exceed ten (10) consecutive months.

Schedule

• Temporary, Part‑Time; hours vary.
• Shifts: 1st shift (6:30 am – 3:00 pm), 2nd shift (2:30 pm – 11:00 pm), 3rd shift (10:45 pm – 6:45 am).
• May require weekends and holidays as needed.

Benefits

Eligible full‑time and part‑time employees receive State of Ohio benefits (eligibility depends on factors; contact the agency contact for specifics). Benefits include:

• Medical coverage
• Free Dental, Vision, and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of 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, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (OPERS, STRS, SERS, HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)