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Hiring Agency:

Health & Human Services - Agency 25

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:

$27.320

Job Posting:

JR2026-00024974 Mental Health Specialist LRC (Evergreen) (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

Job Description:

The Lincoln Regional Center is hiring Mental Health Specialists

About Lincoln Regional Center
Lincoln Regional Center is a state-operated psychiatric hospital dedicated to providing individualized, recovery-focused treatment for adults experiencing serious mental health conditions. Our mission is to promote healing, stability, and independence in a safe and therapeutic environment while serving the people of Nebraska with compassion and excellence.

We are seeking compassionate, driven, and dedicated individuals to join our team as Mental Health Specialists. In this role, you’ll make a direct impact by supporting patients in a hospital setting and helping create a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.

Note:
Strong communication is key—this position requires proficiency in English (reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension).

Important Information:
A high school diploma (or equivalent) and a valid driver’s license are required for this role.

Application Requirement:
To be considered for this position, you MUST list if you possess a high school diploma or equivalent on your application.

What We Offer:
• 156% state-matched retirement contribution
• 13 paid holidays
• Generous leave benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• 79% employer-paid health insurance
• Dental and vision coverage
• Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance
• Career growth opportunities

Work Schedule: Available schedules will be discussed at time of offer.

Shifts at LRC
1st Shift (6:45am - 3:15pm), 2nd Shift (2:45pm - 11:15pm), and 3rd Shift (11:00pm-7:00am). Will work a combination of 12 and 8 Hour Shifts.

On-Call Requirements:
On-Call: Requires working 32 hours (minimum) per month, 16 hours have to be weekend hours (2:45pm Fridays - 7:00am Mondays), and you must work 1 major holiday per year.

Dress Code:
3 sets of scrubs will be furnished by LRC to all Full-Time Mental Health Specialists.

Wage: $27.320/hour plus additional shift differential pay for 2nd shift and 3rd shift.

 

Job Duties:

As a Mental Health Specialist, you will play a vital role in the care of patients at Lincoln Regional Center to include:

• Monitors the safety and security of patients within assigned unit.
• Assists with security procedures such as patient searches, room searches, and safety checks of the environment.
• Interacts with patients in care to instruct, orient and assist patients with program goals; report and/or document care delivery and observations.
• Monitors and provides assistance with activities of daily living including, feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting and other personal hygiene activities.
• Maintains safe and sanitary environment by performing laundry, housekeeping, and infections control standards.
• Recognizes emergency or crisis situations and intervenes as necessary utilizing appropriate behavioral interventional programs, verbal de-escalation techniques, and/or provide physical intervention that includes restraining patients.  React in a calm, professional manner to support patients. Maintains a positive attitude with patients served and staff.
• Administer medication or first aid treatment, including lifesaving procedures.
• Lifts and repositions patients.
• Escorts and transports patients to appointments and activities inside or outside the facility.
• Objectively documents information related to patient care and activities.  Uses computer programs to document and record patient data.
• Attends required in-service education and staff meetings related to continued employment and skill development.
• Participates in team meetings and activities.

 

Requirements/Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Be at least 19 years of age to work with adult client populations; be at least 21 years of age to work with adolescent client populations. You must possess a high school diploma or equivalent education.

Preferred Qualifications: One year or more combined experience or education in human services, related field, customer service, or military service.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Knowledge of:  safety and security measures required in the care of mentally ill patients; techniques of caring for physically and/or mentally ill patients; knowledge of principles and methods of maintaining a therapeutic environment.

Skill in: listening and understanding; communicating effectively as appropriate for the intended audience while supporting patients’ daily living activities. Skill in participating in physical management of patients to maintain safety and care. 

Ability to:  complete courses and competency evaluations; interpret and follow all policies; provide quality daily care to patients; make decisions and act quickly in situations involving patient care or safety; use computer programs to document patient care information; count accurately and record numerical and alphabetical data; implement written treatment/training plans with supporting written and computer record keeping; effectively communicate with co-workers, management and patients; observe, recognize, report on physical status; offer support to lesser-experienced workers; stand on feet for long periods of time; work regularly scheduled shifts with predictable attendance; work overtime up to and including entire shifts. 

 

If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.