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 Fox Developmental Center located in Dwight, 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. Participates in providing active treatment and habilitation services for individuals.  Escorts individuals and participates in training individuals in residential, social, or vocational activities both at Fox Center and in other designated locations. Performs light housekeeping tasks to maintain a clean, safe, comfortable, and sanitary living environment including spot mopping, cleaning spills, wiping tables, removing trash, securing supplies and equipment, and making beds and lifting up to 50 pounds. 

Essential Functions

40%

1. For a period from six and not to exceed twelve months, receives instruction and training in providing care for individuals with developmental disabilities.

• Attends formal classes for instruction in routine nursing practices and techniques, behavior intervention, skill development and to gain elementary understanding of the causes, nature, and treatment of intellectual disabilities.

• Actively participates in classroom and on-the-job training in the basic elements of nursing care, first aid, and hygiene. 

• Receives a minimum of 120 hours in formal classroom training and a minimum of 400 hours in on-the-job training, and provides personal care services for individuals in bathing, toileting, dressing and feeding. 

• Assists and encourages individuals in caring for themselves to become more independent. 

• Escorts individuals to various community events and outings. 

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

• Takes and records vital signs. 

• Assists with ambulation and various other physically supportive techniques. 

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

• Performs routine tasks in providing care for individuals with developmental disabilities, including conducting activities and programs, documenting data regarding the individual’s response to care and programs, and escorting individuals to participate in the receipt of community services.

35%

2. Participates in providing active treatment and habilitation services for individuals. 

• Verbally interacts with individuals in various activities in a therapeutic manner including physically assisting individuals to perform various activities as well as lifting and transferring individuals in accord with their ambulation skills. 
• Records accurate and timely documentation of individuals’ care and programming in accord with the guidelines of the Department of Human Services (DHS), Fox Center, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Health Care Freedom Act (HCFA), and Public Health.

10%

3. Escorts individuals and participates in training individuals in residential, social or vocational activities both at Fox Center and in other designated locations. 

• Communicates orally and in writing with individuals and other employees. 
• Promptly communicates problems with supervisor which could impede the performance of assigned duties, or which are not in accord with facility or Department policies and procedures.
• 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.
• Travels in performance of job duties.

10%

4. Performs light housekeeping tasks to maintain a clean, safe, comfortable, and sanitary living environment including spot mopping, cleaning spills, wiping tables, removing trash, securing supplies and equipment, and making beds and lifting up to 50 pounds. 

• Develops and continually maintains awareness for the safety and comfort of individuals.  Provides verbal and physical interaction and modes appropriate social behavior with the individuals at Fox Center.

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.

Conditions of Employment

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 ability to travel in the performance of job duties.

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.