Healthcare Technician I - Treatment Mall (Broughton Hospital)

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

Broughton Hospital is currently accepting applications for an Educational Developmental Assistant (EDA). The primary purpose of this position is to provide basic learning and leisure opportunities to the patients at Broughton Hospital on an individual or group basis and address patient needs. The EDA must establish rapport and relate to the population here at Broughton; have considerable knowledge of the practical application of behavior management techniques and effectively communicate with a multi/interdisciplinary team. This position reports to the Treatment Mall Nursing Supervisor and Nurse Manager.  

The Educational Developmental Assistant carries out basic learning modules, on unit activities, and leisure activities (exercise, simple crafts, daily living, hygiene skills, and work), in collaboration with the treatment team and under the direction of the Treatment Mall Registered Nurse. They are responsible for observing, reporting, and documenting patient attendance/participation in the activities, in the patients' medical records/charts.   

The EDA individualizes each patient's treatment opportunities in an effort to restore maximum potential and feelings of accomplishment, and is responsible for completing additional duties as needed, to meet the needs of the hospital. The Educational Developmental Assistant performs work in a demonstration capacity, including moving materials and supplies that contain resources/work materials/contract work, and assists patients with walking and boarding vehicles. 

The Educational Developmental Assistant maintains statistical reports reflecting hours of work, patient contact, and other administrative data required and requested by the immediate supervisor. This position is required to attend staff meetings and is responsible for attending/participating in all scheduled training, as required.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $31,200.00 - $46,348.00

*A Sign-on bonus of $2,000 may be offered to the successful applicant(s) of this posting, contingent on the 2025-2026 Budget Approval.

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

Ability to learn safety measures, ability to recognize patients' needs and communicate in an accurate manner. 

Ability to learn to follow hospital, unit and nursing policies and procedures. 

Ability to work with difficult patients and maintain safety while providing a therapeutic environment. 

3 or more years of experience working in a psychiatric setting 

Experience documenting information in client record/chart 

Conditional Requirements: Selected applicants must be able to pass a State Bureau of Investigation Criminal History Check, and complete and pass BLS/CPR training and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training during orientation.

This Position Is Designated As Mandatory And Must Report Or Stay Over During Adverse Weather Events.

Work schedule is Monday to Friday, from 12:00pm - 8:30pm with alternating weekends and holidays. Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the facility.

*Eligibility for Sign-on Bonus

To qualify for the Sign-on Bonus, a newly hired permanent full-time or permanent part-time employee must work 30 to 40 hours per week to be eligible. Those who are eligible and working less than 40 hours a week will receive a prorated rate.

An employee is not eligible for a sign-on bonus if:

• The employee has held a position in the North Carolina State government, including the judicial system, or the University of North Carolina system, within the last 12 months (the employee shall remain ineligible for 12 months from the separation date)
• The employee has previously received a sign-on bonus from any State agency
• DHHS has paid any contract placement or recruitment fees.

All Sign-on Bonuses are contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. Additional information regarding the Sign-on Policy can be found here.

About the Facility:

Broughton Hospital is one of the three regional psychiatric hospitals with statutory responsibility for operating as part of the Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities (DSOHF).  With the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, we provide help and support to North Carolinians, and their families, experiencing mental illness. Our hospital serves the western thirty-seven (37) counties of North Carolina, as part of the state's system of care and treatment for persons with mental illness.

Supplemental Contact Information:

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

Positions in the Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing and criminal record background checks. Also, the use of tobacco products of any kind including vapor products are prohibited from our campuses. All employees are required to adhere to the facility's Vaccination Policy.

Application Process
 Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application, to support your answers.
• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm prior to the closing date.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. 

 Veteran’s and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
• Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

 ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Applicants will be communicated via email only for updates on the status of their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 828-608-4130.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

High school or General Educational Development diploma; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Special Condition for Continued Employment As required, listing as a Nurse Aide I by the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation. As applicable, listing as a Nurse Aide II by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. As applicable, North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.