Part - Time Mental Health Specialist in Lufkin, Texas at Burke Center

Location: Mental Health Emergency Center - Lufkin, TX
Position Number: 466
Compensation: $14.83 per hour

About the Role
Burke is seeking a Part-Time Mental Health Specialist to provide safety monitoring and direct support to resident clients on the Extended Observation and Crisis Residential Units at the Mental Health Emergency Center in Lufkin, TX. This position plays a critical role in maintaining a therapeutic environment for adults experiencing mental health crises.

The Mental Health Emergency Center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Mental Health Specialist works closely with nursing and clinical staff to support client safety, engagement in treatment, and daily living activities while observing and reporting client behaviors and conditions.

This position requires emotional maturity, self-discipline, flexibility, and strong communication skills.

What You'll Do
- Monitor and observe acutely mentally ill adult clients to ensure safety and well-being
- Intervene appropriately to prevent escalation of behaviors when necessary
- Facilitate client engagement in treatment services and therapeutic activities
- Prompt, supervise, and assist clients with activities of daily living
- Observe, document, and report client behaviors, conditions, and concerns
- Assist in maintaining a therapeutic and structured treatment environment
- Transport clients to community medical services when necessary
- Perform duties in accordance with Burke and Medicaid standards and requirements

What We're Looking For
- Graduation from an accredited high school or its equivalent
- Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills
- Emotional maturity and professionalism
- Ability to remain calm and effective in crisis situations
- Dependability, flexibility, and self-discipline
- Valid Texas driver's license

What Helps You Stand Out
- Experience working with adults with mental illness
- Experience in behavioral health, crisis services, or residential care settings
- Knowledge of mental health recovery and support practices

Key Skills
- Client observation and safety monitoring
- Crisis prevention and de-escalation
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Documentation and reporting
- Team collaboration and adaptability
- Client support and engagement

Work Schedule
- Hours will vary
- Staff in this position will be called in on an as-needed basis to cover unit staffing needs
- Part-time, flexible scheduling based on program needs

Licenses & Certifications
- Valid Texas driver's license required
- Must be physically able to complete required training including SAMA, CPR, First Aid, Defensive Driving, Van Driving, and other required training modules
- Driving record must be insurable by Burke's insurance administrator
- Reliable transportation required

Physical Requirements
- Ability to see, hear, and communicate effectively
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
- Ability to walk and drive as needed
- Ability to perform tasks requiring hand and finger dexterity

Why Burke?
Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing crisis stabilization and behavioral health services across East Texas. As a Part-Time Mental Health Specialist, you'll play an important role in supporting individuals during times of crisis while helping create a safe, therapeutic environment that promotes recovery and stability.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Burke is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, or disability unless such characteristics are bona fide occupational requirements.

Applicants must provide proof of identity and employment authorization as part of the hiring process. All final candidates are subject to background and driving record checks as part of Burke's pre-employment screening process.