MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN TRAINEE

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Position Overview

The Division of Developmental Disabilities is seeking to hire a Mental Health Technician Trainee at the Murray Developmental Center located in Centralia, Illinois. The incumbent will, for a period of time from six and not to exceed twelve months, receive instruction and training in providing care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Conducts activities and programs and escorting of individuals to participate in the receipt of community services. Attends formal classes for instruction in the basic elements of nursing practices and techniques and to gain an elementary understanding of the causes, nature, treatment and habilitation of mental illness or developmental disabilities.

Essential Functions

40%

1. For a period from six and not to exceed twelve months, receives instruction and training in caring for individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities.   

• Actively participates in classroom and on the job training classes including conducting activities and program and escorting individuals to participate in the receipt of community services. 

• Receives instruction and training for a minimum of 120 hours in formal classroom training and a minimum of 400 hours in on-the-job training in the basic elements of nursing practices and techniques to gain an elementary understanding of the causes, nature, treatment and habilitation of mental illness or developmental disabilities. 

• Participates in caring for individuals with developmental disabilities by providing or monitoring personal care services in personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, feeding.

• Learns to observe and communicate significant aspects of individual behavior, physical condition, and personal needs.

• Receives instruction and training in first aid and assisting ambulatory and other physically supportive techniques.

• Receives instruction on the policies and procedures associated with the implementation of behavior intervention programs and performs these activities under direct observation.

25%

2. Observes the technical staff in the general performance of technical duties carried out within a unit/cottage related to resident’s general care and management in compliance of residents’ rehabilitation plan.

• Receives instructions from supervisors regarding individual’s care and employee conduct.

15%

3. Receives training in techniques of observation of residents, reports on their behavior and interacts with them in a positive manner.

• Physically restrains individuals as necessary to prevent injury to the individual or others.
• In performance of job duties, works after business hours, weekends and holidays.

15%

4. Maintains a safe, clean, and orderly unit by performing general housekeeping tasks, such as spot mopping, cleaning spills, wiping tables and making of beds and lifting up 50 pounds.

• Travels in performance of job duties.

5%

5. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of high school.

Employment Conditions

1. Requires ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
2. Requires the ability to physically restrain individuals as necessary to prevent injury to the Individual or others.

3. Requires the ability to work after business hours, weekends, and holidays.

4. Requires the ability to utilize office equipment, including personal computers.

5. Requires the ability to travel in performance of job duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.

6. Requires ability to pass the IDHS background check.

7. Requires ability to pass a drug screen for drugs prohibited from recreational use under Illinois Law.

* The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.