Mental Health Specialist at Burke Center – Lufkin, Texas

Mental Health Emergency Center - Lufkin, TX
Position Number: P #159

Burke is seeking a Mental Health Specialist to join our Mental Health Emergency Center in Lufkin, TX. This position provides direct support and safety monitoring for adults experiencing acute mental health crises within our Extended Observation and Crisis Residential Units, which operate 24/7.

This role is ideal for individuals pursuing careers in psychology, social work, counseling, nursing, criminal justice, or other behavioral health fields who are seeking meaningful, hands-on clinical experience.

The Mental Health Specialist works under the direct supervision of the Charge Nurse and general supervision of the Psychiatric Nurse Manager.

• Provide continuous safety monitoring of acutely mentally ill adults

• Intervene therapeutically to prevent client escalation

• Facilitate client engagement in treatment services

• Prompt, supervise, and assist clients with activities of daily living

• Observe, document, and report client behaviors and conditions

• Maintain a therapeutic and structured environment

• Transport clients to medical services in the community as needed

• Deliver services in compliance with Center policies and Medicaid standards

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent

Licensure:

• Valid Texas driver's license

• Driving record must be insurable under Burke's insurance policy

• Reliable transportation required

• Experience working with adults with mental illness

• Emotional maturity and professional boundaries

• Self-discipline and reliability

• Flexibility in a fast-paced crisis environment

• Strong verbal communication skills

• Ability to remain calm under pressure

Must be physically able to complete all required training, including:

• Satori Alternative to Managing Aggression (SAMA)

• CPR

• First Aid

• Defensive Driving

• Van Driving

• Additional required training modules

• Sight, hearing, and verbal communication abilities

• Walking and standing for extended periods

• Lifting up to 50 pounds

• Driving a vehicle

• Hand and finger dexterity

• 12-hour shifts: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

• 7 shifts every 14 days

• Rotating weekends and holidays required

• $29,228 annually

This position offers valuable frontline behavioral health experience within a structured clinical environment. Team members gain crisis intervention skills, documentation experience, and interdisciplinary exposure that strongly supports graduate school and healthcare career pathways.