Welcome to the Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS)

Join our Team at DMHSAS —helping people recover from mental illness and addiction, reuniting families, and improving communities.

Full time employees receive:

State Retirement with generous company match
11 Paid Holidays Each Year
15 Days of Annual Leave and 15 Days of Sick Leave the First Year
Subsidized Insurance Benefits – We help you pay for your benefits!

To learn more about the competitive and generous benefits provided to all full time employees click here.

To learn more about the vital services we provide to Oklahomans of all ages, please visit https://oklahoma.gov/odmhsas.html.

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) is the State’s statutory authority responsible for prevention, treatment and recovery from mental illness, substance abuse and addictive disorders. In addition, ODMHSAS provides prevention services at the state and local levels, in partnership with area health providers, schools, law enforcement, veteran’s groups and other community stakeholders.  ODMHSAS manages the state’s behavioral health Medicaid services, and has rule-making responsibility for specific statutory certification processes (certifying approximately 3,300 treatment providers, organizations and individuals, throughout the state).

First Preference / Pre-Announcement: DMHSAS facilities must notify the above listed HR department by the opening date and time listed above if they have employees with a first preference request to return to work on a limited duty release.

Upon a conditional offer of employment, applicants for safety sensitive positions shall be required to submit to urinalysis to test for drugs. Appointment to a safety sensitive position shall be contingent upon a negative drug test result.

This Agency Requires Coverage 24 Hours, 7 Days Per Week. Work Hours and Location May Vary Depending on Business Necessity. Employees May Be Required to Work Weekends and Overtime.

Reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities may be provided upon request.

Mental Health Technician I

Vinita

Full Time

Oklahoma Forensic Center

Entry Level

Join a team that CARES! 

Here at ODMHSAS, we believe in I.C.A.R.E. – Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.  Our mission is to promote healthy communities and provide the highest quality care to enhance the well-being of all Oklahomans.  We take that very seriously – because we care! 

About us:   

Come grow with us!  The Oklahoma Forensic Center (OFC) located in Vinita, OK is a 24 hour/365 day secure inpatient forensic facility that provides jail competency services for the State of Oklahoma.  Currently, OFC has 268 beds for consumers who have been found incompetent for adjudication or adjudicated as Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity.  OFC is expanding with construction scheduled to be completed in June 2025 adding an additional 84 beds.  When completed, OFC will have a total of 352 beds to house consumers.

About the Position: 

Here at the Oklahoma Forensic Center the Nursing department is hiring for Mental Health Technicians that would provide direct care for consumers of behavioral health treatment in an inpatient setting. This includes participation in de-escalation activities and assuring that consumers are kept safe, assist with activities of daily living, taking vitals, observing and recording patient behavior and activities, establish a therapeutic relationship with consumers, monitor and assist consumers within the facility to assure safety, transporting consumers to appointments, off grounds if needed and perform other duties as assigned.   

Job Type/Salary:  

Open/Close dates: 2/28/2025-Until filled

Full-time

Hourly rate: Level I-$16.60

$1.00/hr differential for working in a direct care setting; $0.50/hr shift differentials when working evening or nights and $0.75/hr weekends; $2.00/hr CNA certification as a Long Term Care Aide, Residential Care Aide or Developmentally Disabled Direct Care.

Primary Working Hours are 6:30am-3:00pm; 2:30pm-11:00pm; 10:45pm-6:45am

FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

Primary Work Location/Department:  Oklahoma Forensic Center/Nursing

Vacancies: Multiple

Minimum Qualifications and Experience: 

Level I- No experience or education is required.

Special Requirements: 

Applicant must be able to pass an OSBI background check.

Applicants must be willing and able to fulfill any job-related travel normally associated with this position and as such have a valid driver’s license.

Upon a conditional offer of employment, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services applicants must submit to a physical examination and shall meet the physical examination requirements of occasionally lifting/carrying 50 pounds and able to push and pull a maximum force of 25 pounds.

Great Reasons to Work with Us: 

ODMHSAS is proud to provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees and their dependents.   Our benefits include: 

Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums

A wide choice of health insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations

Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses or dependent care

Employee assistance programs and health and fitness programs

11 paid holidays

15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year

Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match

Longevity Bonus for years of service

Student Loan repayment options

Training opportunities for CEU requirements

Drug and Alcohol Pre-employment and Pre-placement Testing:  Upon a conditional offer of employment, applicants for safety sensitive positions shall be required to submit to urinalysis to test for drugs. Appointment to a safety sensitive position shall be contingent upon a negative drug test result. 

THIS AGENCY REQUIRES COVERAGE 24 HOURS, 7 DAYS PER WEEK. WORK HOURS AND LOCATION MAY VARY DEPENDING ON BUSINESS NECESSITY. EMPLOYEES MAY BE REQUIRED TO WORK WEEKENDS AND OVERTIME. 

Reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities may be provided upon request. 

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer

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