$15.25 - $20.50/hr
Per diem
Posted 5 days ago
Job description
Mental Health Technician
The Vines Hospital (affiliated with Universal Health Services), located in Ocala, FL is a premier behavioral health facility offering individualized mental health and addiction treatment to adults and adolescents in a secure and private setting. Our services include partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs. We offer acute psychiatric, detox, and PTSD treatment. We are located in picturesque Marion County, FL. The county is known as the Horse Capital of the World. Enjoy the outdoors at one of the county's serene parks, which includes wonderful hiking trails, river rafting, and tubing. Watch the county's wildlife and view the scenery by taking a horseback ride through one of the area's riding trails. Considered the heart of Florida, the beautiful region is centrally located within hours of many activities. Just a drive away from some of the state's amusement parks or beautiful Florida beaches. The county is less than two hours away from some of the state's large metropolitan areas. From young professionals to a growing family, the area has plenty of activities for every individual.
The Mental Health Technician functions as an active part of the treatment team, providing continuous patient care, supervision, interaction, and role modeling to patients ranging in age from preschool through geriatrics depending on which unit worked. The Mental Health Technician work under the direction of the Registered Nurse.
Responsibilities:
- Listen to patients' concerns, observe their behavior, and record their condition
- Report changes in patient health or behavior to medical staff
- Lead patients in therapeutic and recreational activities
- Provide medications and other treatments to patients, following instructions from doctors and other medical professionals
- Help with patient intake and discharge
- Monitor patients' vital signs, such as their blood pressure and body temperature
- Help patients with daily living activities, including eating and bathing
- Restrain patients who may become physically volatile
- Provide appropriate crisis intervention as necessary by anticipating and responding quickly to escalating behaviors, utilizing de-escalation techniques to diffuse the situation, correctly prioritizing safety concerns.
Skills and Competencies:
- Previous experience in a mental health hospital setting is preferred.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential for effective patient interaction.
- Strong collaborative skills and ability to work effectively with others.
- Ability to exhibit empathy, respect and compassion that involve understanding and care for patients.
Work Hours:
This position is PRN status, and not eligible for benefits. Must work a 12-hour shift. Hours will vary. Must work at least 1 weekend day per month.
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Associates or Bachelor's degree in psychology or related field preferred.
- Direct patient care experience, CNA, or previous acute care/behavioral related experience preferred.
- Associate's degree and/or Bachelor's degree in psychology or related field may be used in lieu of related experience.
- Nursing students who have completed all pre-requisites can use education in lieu of related experience.
About Universal Health Services (UHS):
One of the nation's largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500 corporation, annual revenues were $15.8 billion in 2024. UHS was again recognized as one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune; listed in Forbes ranking of America's Largest Public Companies. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 99,000 employees and continues to grow through its subsidiaries. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located all over the U.S. States, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.
EEO Statement:
All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Avoid and Report Recruitment Scams:
We are aware of a scam whereby imposters are posing as Recruiters from UHS, and our subsidiary hospitals and facilities. Beware of anyone requesting financial or personal information. At UHS and all our subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates by matching skill set and experience with the best possible career path at UHS and our subsidiaries. During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (e.g., Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. Our recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc. If you suspect a fraudulent job posting or job-related email mentioning UHS or its subsidiaries, we encourage you to report such concerns to appropriate law enforcement. We encourage you to refer to legitimate UHS and UHS subsidiary career websites to verify job opportunities and not rely on unsolicited calls from recruiters.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What skills or qualities help someone succeed as a Mental Health Technician?
A: To succeed as a Mental Health Technician, core technical skills include knowledge of crisis intervention techniques, basic counseling principles, and understanding of mental health disorders and their treatment options. Soft skills such as active listening, empathy, and effective communication are also crucial, as they enable technicians to build trust with patients and provide support during challenging situations. By combining these technical and interpersonal skills, Mental Health Technicians can provide high-quality care and support, ultimately contributing to their own career growth and effectiveness in the role.
Q: What is the career path for a Mental Health Technician?
A: A Mental Health Technician typically starts as an entry-level Certified Mental Health Technician (CMHT) or Mental Health Worker, providing direct care and support to patients in psychiatric settings. As they gain experience, they can progress to mid-level roles such as Mental Health Coordinator or Unit Manager, overseeing daily operations and supervising junior staff. Senior roles like Clinical Program Manager or Director of Mental Health Services often involve strategic planning, staff development, and program evaluation, offering opportunities for advanced education and leadership positions in healthcare administration or related fields.
