Psychiatric Technician (QMHA)
ALBERTINA KERR CENTERS
Summary
As a Psychiatric Technician who is QMHA registered or eligible, you will provide direct care and support to children and adolescents experiencing an acute psychiatric episode. This is an extraordinary opportunity to enter or grow your career in the mental health field. You'll facilitate skills groups and education groups, guide structured recreational activities, and support the children and adolescents we serve in their daily activities. Kerr utilizes Collaborative Problem Solving in helping children with behavioral challenges. This strength-based model fosters the understanding that kids do well if they can.
Job description
Our Children's Psychiatric Crisis (Subacute) program offers short-time, safe, and secure residential placement for children and teens who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Services focus on mental health stabilization, psychiatric evaluation, and transitional planning with an average length of stay around three weeks. Common diagnoses include major depression, suicide ideation, and anxiety. You'll support a diverse population, including transgender and nonbinary youth as part of an impactful, multidisciplinary team.
Essential Duties
- Conducts evaluations and assessments of clients.
- Ensures clients personal safety and provide with basic needs: adequate food, clean clothing, and assistance in areas of hygiene when needed.
- Consults treatment plan to implement appropriate care for developmental needs.
- Teaches social skills and provides appropriate opportunities for socialization.
- Facilitates educational groups and therapeutic skills groups for clients.
- Consistently fulfills the duties of a mandatory abuse reporter.
- Documents notes and carries out incident reporting.
- Performs safe-guarding interventions.
- Completes cleaning and housekeeping tasks.
- Position covered under SEIU Local 503 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant area of study as defined by the QMHA certification or 3 years of relevant behavioral health occupational experience.
- QMHA certification required. Passage of QMHA eligibility at 90 days after start of employment is required if employee does not have it at time of hire.
- Demonstrated experience and skill in working with clients with high level of behavioral acuity.
- Understanding of age specific child development.
- Ability to interact effectively with clients, families, and peers.
- Adept problem-solving skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to constantly apply adequate visual and auditory senses to supervise and care for individuals served.
- Proficient computer skills, and capacity to learn new operating systems and applications.
- Basic math skills.
- Physical requirements: Ability to lift, push, bend and pull; stand or move about; raise arms in an unsupported position; twist from side to side at the waist; reach for objects; perform similar repetitive hand operations or other fatiguing demands for over five hours per day.
- Ability to safely perform Oregon Intervention System (OIS) requirements for physical intervention techniques.
Benefits
- Paid medical, dental, vision
- Paid life & accident insurance
- Paid internal training
- Career development
- Paid holidays
- Generous time off
- 401(k) with 4% match
- Employee Assistance Plan
Company overview
Albertina Kerr Centers is a prominent nonprofit organization based in Oregon that provides comprehensive mental health and developmental disability services to children, youth, and families. Founded in 1907, the organization has a long-standing history of serving vulnerable populations in the Pacific Northwest region. Albertina Kerr offers a wide range of services including residential treatment programs, community-based mental health services, crisis intervention, and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization operates multiple facilities and programs designed to address complex behavioral health needs while promoting recovery, resilience, and community integration. With a focus on trauma-informed care and evidence-based practices, Albertina Kerr Centers plays a critical role in Oregon's mental health service system, providing specialized care for those with significant behavioral health challenges. The organization collaborates with various community partners, healthcare providers, and government agencies to deliver integrated services that support individuals and families in achieving better mental health outcomes and improved quality of life.