Mental Health Technician (DEGREE)

Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center offers hope and healing for youth ages 7 to 17 at the time of admission with several psychiatric diagnoses and/or developmental disabilities. Located in Portsmouth, VA, Harbor Point provides intensive, residential treatment to youth in a comfortable setting that is conducive to healing. Our facility specializes in treating children and adolescents with depression, bipolar, ADHD, and other mental health issues. We also have specific treatment programs for those with intellectual disabilities or those with self‑injurious behavior.

The overall responsibility of the Residential Counselor is to develop a therapeutic relationship with and provide appropriate guidance and supervision to children and teenagers receiving treatment. The MHT position is shift work with set days off: 1st Shift 6:45a – 3:15p; 2nd Shift 2:45p – 11:15p; 3rd Shift 10:45p – 7:15a.

Job Duties (not an inclusive list):

• Contributes to the effective implementation of individual treatment plans of residents through "line of sight" supervision, positive interaction and role modeling, appropriate scoring of observed behaviors, and appropriate consequences or limit setting based on behaviors and program definition.
• Maintains safety and security of the facility through close observation and monitoring of the residents, maintaining optimal physical proximity, remaining alert at all times, and using analytical forethought to anticipate potentially volatile or unsafe situations and proactively intervene.
• Promotes development of residents' daily living skills through appropriate assignment, instruction, and supervision of tasks.
• Stimulates residents' interest and cooperation in various individual and group activities and programs through positive interaction, instruction, supervision, feedback and encouragement.
• Completes accurate and timely documentation on residents' behavior as outlined by policy, reports observations to relevant staff and makes recommendations based on observations; assists in preparation of other behavioral reports and daily activities log as required.
• Provides 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, following proper restraint technique guidelines, and displaying neutral emotions.
• Uses appropriate counseling skills by de‑escalating aggression, using active listening skills, using appropriate tone and volume of voice, providing a high frequency and variety of positive reinforcements, maintaining appropriate boundaries, and promoting a positive peer culture.
• During school hours, the MHT is the paraprofessional who manages behaviors and assists the teacher in the classroom.

Full‑Time Benefit Highlights:

• Challenging and rewarding work environment
• Competitive Compensation

Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field with coursework in psychology and child and adolescent development preferred. Experience working with children and adolescents preferred. Previous experience working in a residential or psychiatric setting with children and adolescents preferred. Requires ability to work in a fast‑paced environment. Must have a valid driver’s license.

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. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.