Mental Health Technician (MHT)

About Ascent Behavioral Hospital

At Ascent Behavioral Hospital, we provide compassionate care, helping adolescents navigate challenges related to anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in a supportive and safe environment. We are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to adolescents who require our services. We uphold the highest standards of integrity, respect, and excellence while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and safety.

Position Summary

The Mental Health Technician (MHT) is an essential member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, providing direct supervision and therapeutic support to adolescents in an inpatient psychiatric setting. The MHT is responsible for maintaining a safe, structured, and trauma-informed milieu. This role involves continuous patient observation, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), facilitating therapeutic groups, and utilizing de-escalation techniques to ensure the safety of both patients and staff.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions

• Safety & Supervision: Maintain constant visual observation of patients. Conduct and document safety checks (e.g., 15-minute rounds) and 1:1 observations with 100% accuracy, adhering to hospital policy and safety standards.
• Milieu Management: Facilitate a structured therapeutic environment. Lead or assist in psychoeducational groups, recreational activities, and daily community meetings to promote patient engagement and growth.
• Crisis Intervention & De-escalation: Utilize approved crisis intervention techniques (e.g., Mandt) to manage aggressive, self-harming, or escalating behaviors. Act as a first responder in emergent situations, prioritizing the least restrictive intervention.
• Behavioral Documentation: Provide accurate, objective, and timely documentation of patient behavior, interactions, and response to treatment in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Assist and prompt patients with personal hygiene, room cleanliness, and nutritional needs, ensuring a high standard of care and dignity.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Participate in shift hand-off reports and daily observation notes used by the treatment team. Communicate significant changes in patient status or environmental risks immediately to the RN or Charge Nurse.
• Patient Rights & Confidentiality (HIPAA): Maintain strict patient confidentiality and advocate for patient rights in accordance with Utah Admin Code and federal law.
• Environment of Care: Assist in maintaining a clean, ligature-resistant, and hazard-free environment. Perform searches of patients and belongings for contraband as directed.

Qualifications

Required

• Experience: Demonstrated ability to manage stressful situations with professionalism, empathy, and strong boundaries.
• Certifications: Current CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).
• Regulatory: Must pass a federal and Utah Department of Health & Human Services background check and drug screening.

Preferred

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or a related behavioral health field.
• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent
• Experience: Previous experience in an inpatient psychiatric setting or working with at-risk adolescents.
• Certification: Current certification in a crisis prevention/de-escalation program (e.g., CPI, MANDT).
• Additional Certifications: EMT or CNA.
• Language: Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain on feet for extended periods and move quickly in response to emergencies.
• Ability to perform physical de-escalation techniques and restraints as trained and required for safety.
• Must be able to lift to 50 pounds.

Benefits

Why Join Ascent Behavioral Hospital?

• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in adolescent mental health
• Supportive, mission-driven culture with a focus on safety, teamwork, and growth
• Competitive compensation and benefits (medical, dental, vision, retirement, PTO)
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
• Career advancement pathways within the hospital system

Ready to make an impact? Apply today to join a team dedicated to excellence in mental health care.

Ascent Behavioral Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

EEO Statement

Ascent Behavioral Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment is based on qualifications, merit, and the needs of the hospital.

Ascent Behavioral Hospital provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Ascent Behavioral Hospital complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment where the company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Ascent Behavioral Hospital expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Ascent Behavioral Hospital employees to perform their job duties may result in disciplinary action up to and including discharge.

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.