Program Aide Jobs in Portage, MI (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $22.13 - $28.43 Hourly
Location : Kalamazoo, MI
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Job Number: 3909-26-KPH-096-FILL
Department: Health and Human Services - Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital
Opening Date: 07/23/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME (AFSCME)
Job Description
The MDHHS mission is to provide opportunities, services, and programs that promote a healthy, safe, and stable environment for residents to be self-sufficient. We are committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all employees are treated with dignity, respect and fairness. For more information, please visit our MDHHS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan.
The resident care aide staff will provide direct care, person-centered services (including but, not limited to active treatment and nursing services) to individuals who are acutely or chronically ill with mental illness and/or developmental disabilities, and possibly with multiple physical health conditions. Resident care aide staff provide an array of person-centered supports and services; including health care, ADL training, behavior management, etc. which are developed by the treatment team via a specific assignment to provide care and supervision for an individual resident/ or an assigned group of resident/s. This includes accountability to provide visual observation of area to ensure resident/ whereabouts, safety and monitor activities. The resident care aide staff assist the professional team members in formulating, revising and to implement the individual plan of service specific to the resident/ care needs. Resident care aide staff serve as a positive role model. Resident care aide staff are responsible for supervising resident/s in therapeutic milieu, in program delivery, ie. supervise and participate in active treatment and/or psychosocial rehabilitation programs, health care plans, and when accompanying resident/s in the community, ie medical appointments, inter-hospital transfer, sitter in community hospital, etc. Resident care aide staff assist resident/s who may require assistance when completing or learning activities of daily living such as bathing and grooming, mealtime, dressing, etc. Resident care aide staff provide for implementation of emergency/ high risk procedures in accordance with Center/Hospital Policy/standards, ie seclusion, restraint, manual holds, enhanced levels of supervision, CPR, etc. Resident care aide staff document in the resident/'s medical record, and maintain accountability records, ie resident/ check, sharps monitoring, etc. in accordance with Hospital/Center policy and the Nursing Standards of Practice. Maintain safe environment and perform light housekeeping duties. This is a Drug and Alcohol tested (DART) position under the criteria provided in the collective bargaining unit agreement. All positions are subject to criminal background checks and fingerprinting Mandatory overtime, holiday work and weekend work are required. Must be available for mandatory overtime.
This is a Drug and Alcohol-tested (DART) position under the criteria provided in the collective bargaining unit agreement. All positions are subject to criminal background checks and fingerprinting.
Individuals in this position on a regular basis provide direct health care services to persons in the care or custody of the State.
To be considered for this position you must:

• Apply for this position online via NEOGOV; click on "Apply" in the job posting for instructions on submitting your electronic application. Hard copy applications are not accepted.
• Relevant experience and/or education referred to in the supplemental questions must be documented in the resume, transcript and/or application to allow for accurate screening.
• Attach a resume identifying specific experience and dates of employment. Dates of employment should include month and year and hours per week.
• If applicable, attach a copy of an official transcript(s). We accept scanned copies of official transcripts. We do not accept web-based, internet, or copies of unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts provide the name of the institution, confirmation that a degree was awarded and on what date, and the registrar's signature.

Failure to complete any of the above items may result in your application not being considered. See instructions for attaching files here: Instructions
If you previously held status in this classification and departed within the last three (3) years, please contact Human Resources regarding your interest in a potential reinstatement. Reinstatement is not guaranteed or required.
Required Education and Experience
Education
Educational level typically acquired through completion of high school.
Experience
Resident Care Aide 6
No specific type or amount is required.
Resident Care Aide 7
One year of experience equivalent to a Resident Care Aide and successful completion of the Department's Resident Care Aide training program.
Resident Care Aide E8
Two years of experience equivalent to a Resident Care Aide, including one year equivalent to a Resident Care Aide 7.
Additional Requirements and Information
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) software of any kind is prohibited in all areas of the selection process; including, but not limited to, responses to application questions, and responses to interview questions or exercises.
Your application for any position does not guarantee you will be contacted by the Department/Agency for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.
Certain positions may require a criminal history background check.
Position Location: This position is located at the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital located at 1312 Oakland Drive., Kalamazoo MI 49008. As a Condition of Employment: this position requires successful completion of a background investigation and a criminal records check.
The Department of Health & Human Services reserves the right to close this posting prior to its original end date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
For information about this specific position, please email Please reference the job posting number in subject line.
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MDHHS is proud to be a Michigan Veteran's Affairs Agency (MVAA) Gold Level Veteran-Friendly Employer.
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:
Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.
Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.
Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.
Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.
Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.
Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.
Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.
Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.
Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.
Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.
Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.
Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.
Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.
Updated: 2/28/24
01
RCARADEE - Do you possess at least an educational level typically acquired through the completion of high school?

• Yes
• No

02
RCARADEE - Please select your level of experience.

• None
• At least one year of experience equivalent to a Resident Care Aide and successful completion of the Department's Resident Care Aide training program
• At least two years of experience equivalent to a Resident Care Aide.

03
RCARADEE-CENA - Do you possess a Competency Evaluated Nurse Aide (CENA) certification? If so, please provide your license number in the Certification/Licenses section of your application.

• Yes
• No

04
How do you or would you demonstrate that you are culturally competent in the workplace?
05
Please select from the options below: (Please note, actions that have been expunged, written reprimands or formal counseling, and layoff actions such as a reduction in force need not be reported.) Please select all that apply.

• I have been dismissed within the last two years
• I have resigned in lieu of discipline or dismissal within the last two years
• I have been issued a disciplinary suspension in the last two years.
• I am currently suspended with or without pay pending the outcome of an investigation
• I have received a written reprimand within the last two years
• I have received an unsatisfactory rating in the last two years
• I have signed a last chance agreement with MDHHS within the last two years
• I certify that none of the above circumstances apply to me

06
If you selected that you have been dismissed with in the last two years, resigned in lieu of dismissal within the last two years, suspended without pay within the last two years, received a written reprimand within the last two years, received an unsatisfa