Mental Health Specialist LRC at State of Nebraska

The work we do matters!Hiring Agency:Health & Human Services - Agency 25Location: Lincoln, NEHiring Rate:$27.320Job Posting:JR2025-00021400 Mental Health Specialist LRC (Evergreen) (Open)Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):12-18-2025Job Description:Start Your Career in Mental Health Today!Are you looking for a rewarding career? A career that challenges you? Do you have a High School Diploma and a Valid Driver License? Then fill out this application right now!!!Lincoln Regional Center is seeking compassionate and dedicated Mental Health Specialists to join our team and make a meaningful impact on the lives of Nebraskans every day.Make a Meaningful ImpactWe are seeking compassionate, dedicated individuals who are driven to help others. Because clear and accurate communication is essential in this role, proficiency in English-including the ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend-is vital. As a Mental Health Specialist, you will support patients in a hospital setting under the guidance of licensed nursing and medical staff. This position involves hands-on care, behavioral support, and helping maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.Do you have a High School Diploma and a Valid Driver License? Clear and accurate communication is essential in this role, proficiency in English-including the ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend-is vital. Job Duties:As a Mental Health Specialist, you will play a vital role in the care of patients at Lincoln Regional Center to include:Monitors the safety and security of patients within assigned unit.Assists with security procedures such as patient searches, room searches, and safety checks of the environment.Interacts with patients in care to instruct, orient and assist patients with program goals; report and/or document care delivery and observations.Monitors, provides and assists with activities of daily living including, feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting and other personal hygiene activities.Maintains safe and sanitary environment by performing laundry, housekeeping, and infections control standards.Recognizes emergency or crisis situations and intervenes as necessary utilizing appropriate behavioral interventional programs, verbal de-escalation techniques, and/or provide physical intervention that includes restraining patients. React in a calm, professional manner to support patients. Maintains a positive attitude with patients served and staff.Administer medication or first aid treatment, including lifesaving procedures.Lifts and repositions patients.Escorts and transports patients to appointments and activities inside or outside the facility.Objectively documents information related to patient care and activities. Uses computer programs to document and record patient data.Attends required in-service education and staff meetings related to continued employment and skill development.Participates in team meetings and activities.Work Schedule: Full-time and On-Call positions available:1st Shift (6:45am - 3:15pm), 2nd Shift (2:45pm - 11:15pm), and 3rd Shift (11:00pm-7:00am). Will work a combination of 12 and 8 Hour Shifts.On-Call: Requires working 32 hours (minimum) per month, 16 hours have to be weekend hours (2:45pm Fridays - 7:00am Mondays), and you must work 1 major holiday per year.Scheduling will be discussed at interview to include 12 hour and 8 hour shifts.3 sets of scrubs will be furnished by LRC to all Full-Time Mental Health Specialists.Pay Rate: Starting pay rate $27.320/hour plus additional shift differential pay for 2nd shift and 3rd shift.Requirements/QualificationsMinimum Qualifications: Be at least 19 years of age to work with adult client populations; be at least 21 years of age to work with adolescent client populations. Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent education.Preferred Qualifications: One year or more combined experience or education in human services, customer service, or military service.Other: Must havea valid driver's license. This position requires proficiency in English, including the ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend the language effectively. State agencies are responsible to evaluate each of their positions to determine their individual overtime eligibility status as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Incumbents are required to work regularly scheduled shifts with predictable attendance and work overtime up to and including entire shifts. These positions are subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post disaster, etc.) Positions classified to this class may be exposed to infectious waste, communicable diseases, and blood and airborne pathogens such as TB, HIV and Hepatitis. May work with potentially dangerous patients. May be Required to acquire and maintain a Medication Aide certification. Must maintain an active Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, (CPR) certification, and behavioral intervention certification courses for facility requirements. Positions in this class may require an employee to possess a valid driver's license and provide a passenger vehicle with adequate liability insurance.Knowledge of: safety and security measures required in the care of mentally ill patients; techniques of caring for physically and/or mentally ill patients; knowledge of principles and methods of maintaining a therapeutic environment.Skill in: listening and understanding; communicating effectively as appropriate for the intended audience while supporting patients' daily living activities.Ability to: complete courses and competency evaluations; interpret and follow all policies; provide quality daily care to patients; make decisions and act quickly in situations involving patient care or safety; use computer programs to document patient care information; count accurately and record numerical and alphabetical data; implement written treatment/training plans with supporting written and computer record keeping; effectively communicate with co-workers, management and patients; observe, recognize, report on physical status; offer support to lesser-experienced workers; stand on feet for long periods of time; work regularly scheduled shifts with predictable attendance; work overtime up to and including entire shifts. If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/BenefitsWe offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefitsEqual Opportunity StatementThe State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.PandoLogic. Category: , Keywords: Mental Health Counselor