Therapeutic Program Worker - Full Time - (PN: 20041487)

Therapeutic Program Worker
Full Time

Who we are:

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio's prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, OH.

DBH Values:

• Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
• Value Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees, including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness, second-chance hiring, and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect, both in the community and within our own team.

Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.

What you’ll do at DBH:

This position focuses on supporting adults in a inpatient hospital setting to develop essential independent living and social skills. The staff member will work directly with assigned consumers, implementing personal and behavior plans and helping with skills such as hygiene, medication management, food preparation, budgeting, and social interactions. The role involves maintaining a safe and supportive environment, de-escalating crises, modeling professional behavior, and transporting consumers to appointments as necessary. Staff will work closely with team members to develop individualized service plans, document progress, and maintain the facility’s cleanliness, contributing to a structured and supportive community. Additional duties include:

• Collaborates with consumers and professionals to create and implement Individualized Service Plans and Behavior Plans, tailored to each consumer’s needs.
• Monitors and assesses consumer progress, recommending revisions to service plans and behavior plans as needed.
• Participates in program development and direction, adheres to guidelines set by the Program Director, and contribute to the residential support team’s service plan.
•  Attends agency, program staff, and consumer meetings, as well as relevant committees, to facilitate program objectives and share insights on consumer needs.
• Completes accurate records, logs, and documentation related to consumer observations, behavioral changes, progress, and service interactions in a timely manner.
• Helps maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the residential facility on a daily basis.
• Attends required training sessions to improve skills and knowledge relevant to the role and follow agency policies on computer and software usage.
• Upholds a professional, friendly demeanor when interacting with visitors and the community to enhance public relations and customer satisfaction.
• Adheres to established safety practices, procedures, and agency policies to ensure a safe environment for consumers and staff.

Additional Information:

• $23.28 per hour with the first increase in 120 days to $23.65 per hour
• Additional $.60 per hour shift differential for afternoon and evening shifts
• Annual increases each year with an additional longevity supplement after 5 years of service
• These positions receive a minimum of 17 weekends off per year per the OCSEA union contract.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications:

Formal education in arithmetic that includes addition & subtraction & in reading, writing & speaking common English
vocabulary. 

For positions that require operation of motor vehicle to transport consumers to recreational, educational &/or occupational
activities, a valid driver’s license is required.

OR

The equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Job Skills: Direct Support/Direct Care
Technical: Mental Health, Behavioral Health, Communications, Customer Service, Therapy/Therapeutical Services
Professional: Critical Thinking, Building Trust, Listening, Emotional Trust, Emotional Intelligence, Confidentiality, Observation, Adaptability

Required Educational Transcripts
Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.

Application Procedures

To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Background Check Notice

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at andrew.seifert@dbh.ohio.gov or 614-466-8884.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this class will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.