Mental Health Program Assistant

Job Class: Mental Health Program Assistant

Working Title: Mental Health Program Assistant

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 04/07/2022
• Closing Date: 04/20/2022
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Human Services Dept / DHS Willmar AFSCME
• Division/Unit: Direct Care and Treatment / Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Services
• Work Shift: Rotating Shift
• Work Hours: 6:45am- 5:15pm and 12:45pm- 11:15pm
• Days of Work: Varies
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $19.91 – $26.23/hourly; $41,572 – $54,768/annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 204 – Health Care Non Professional/AFSCME
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Connect 700 Program Eligible: Yes

Candidates may be eligible for hiring bonus up to $2500!

Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Hospital (CABHH) in Willmar has an opening for a Mental Health Program Assistant to work with kids receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment. We provide mental health services for children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 6-18) with serious behavioral and emotional conditions. As a Mental Health Program Assistant, you will provide direct patient care, assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), ensure patient needs are met, facilitate group programming, actively participate in the multidisciplinary team, and complete all other duties as assigned. This job entails developing positive rapport with patients; working with children and adolescents involves lots of structured play time and engagement with patients at their level and in their interests. You will also maintain a safe environment, plus take a lead role in providing support and mentoring to peers on incorporating Evidence Based Practices into daily work.

**Working for the Minnesota Department of Human Services Direct Care & Treatment division PAYS!

When you start a career with us, you may also be eligible for:

• $2500 Hiring Bonus!
• Annual pay increases
• Tuition reimbursement for courses related to the work of DHS
• Student loan reimbursement for eligible positions

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify, applicants must possess all of the following:

Knowledge of:

• Behavior modification theory/techniques sufficient to implement behavior management components of treatment plans.
• Mental illness sufficient to design and implement individual treatment plans, identify and control aggressive/ violent/ inappropriate behavior.
• Therapeutic intervention techniques sufficient to control aggressive or violent behavior.
• Laws, rules, regulations and policies governing treatment of mental illness and vulnerable adults sufficient to protect the rights of clients/residents.

Ability to:

• Perform basic health care procedures, such as taking vital signs and administering medications.
• Observe, interpret and document client behaviors sufficient to provide information needed for evaluation and treatment planning.
• Read, write and speak English sufficient to interpret, implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for mentally ill.
• Interact with clients sufficient to assist in the delivery of group therapy, teach specialized and vocational skills, and teach recreation and life skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Patient care experience within a mental health or behavioral health setting.
• Experience working with children and adolescents in a treatment setting.
• Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of the following:

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – The Department of Human Services will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.

The individual(s) selected for this position are required to attest to and provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination by their first day of employment, per federal requirements. The individual(s) selected for the position may request an accommodation if they are unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccination due to: (a) a recognized medical condition for which a COVID-19 vaccine is contraindicated; or (b) an objection based upon a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. For additional information about this COVID-19 vaccination requirement, contact Caroline Dillon in DHS Human Resources at caroline.dillon@state.mn.us. Please do not email or provide any proof of vaccination with your application/resume. This information will be collected from you if you are hired for this position.

Why Work For Us

You owe it to yourself to check out the exciting and rewarding careers available statewide in Direct Care and Treatment, the behavioral health care system operated by the Department of Human Services.

As a member of our team, you will help support patients and clients with intellectual disabilities, mental illness, chemical dependency and other behavioral health conditions. From doctors, nurses and other direct care staff to facility and operations positions to office and administrative support roles, we’ve got excellent opportunities at nearly 200 locations throughout Minnesota. Our mission-focused work positively impacts the lives of over 12,000 Minnesotans each year.

The meaningful career you’ve been waiting for is just a click away. Go ahead, do yourself a favor. Make the next step in your journey #DCTCareers!

We invest in our employees by providing competitive compensation and excellent, comprehensive benefits including low cost medical, dental and vision insurance, employer-paid life insurance, pension and tax-deferred compensation plans, generous vacation and sick leave and 12 paid holidays each year. Many positions are eligible for a hiring bonus, tuition assistance, and even relocation expenses. For more information about #DCTCareers visit our website: https://mn.gov/dhs/dct-careers/

Our differences make us stronger and leveraging them helps us create a workforce where everyone can thrive. The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace. We do this by developing strong leaders and advocates, increasing cultural competence and understanding among all employees, and removing institutional barriers and attitudes that prevent employees from advancing as far as their talents will take them. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or age.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637.

For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS: Effective August 1, 2012, legislation provides state agencies with the option to appoint certain disabled veterans on a noncompetitive basis if they: 1) meet service requirements and have a verified service-connected disability rating of at least 30%; 2) provide qualifying documentation verifying the disability; and 3) meet all Minimum Qualifications identified in this posting. To be considered under this legislation you must submit all documentation before the closing date to caroline.dillon@state.mn.us. Minnesota Statutes 2016, Section 43A.111 (mn.gov)

Contact

If you have questions about the position, contact Holly Knofczynski at holly.h.knofczynski@state.mn.us.

If you are a Connect 700 applicant, please email your certificate and the Job posting ID# 54720 to Caroline Dillon at caroline.dillon@state.mn.us by the position close date.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an ADA accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Human Services’ ADA Coordinator at 651-431-4945 or DHS_ADA@state.mn.us for assistance.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer. We are committed to providing culturally responsive services to all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance you need.