Health Care Technician I (Work Program Assistant) Cherry Hospital

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Cherry Hospital

Job Classification Title

Health Care Technician I (S)

Position Number

Grade

MH01

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 17000 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

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide work task demonstration instruction and assistance to patients in a work setting. This position provides guidance and support to patients to improve work site specific skills and general knowledge required to secure and maintain employment in the community. The goal of all services provided to patients at Cherry Hospital is to improve each patients skills to promote a successful transition back to the community. The position provides positive patient centered interactions and demonstrates effective communication a willingness to help others and respect for patients and peers. Work programs may be offered in a variety of locations including but not limited to the treatment mall workshop library canteen bookmobile PSR Consultant newsletter and janitorial crews.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Range: $31200 - $46348

Recruitment Range: $35360 - $38688

*This is an anticipated vacancy.

*A Sign-on bonus of $2000.00 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:

• Knowledge of vocational skill-building and recovery-oriented practices with the ability to model teach and reinforce essential work behaviors such as attendance task focus cooperation problem-solving personal responsibility and initiative in both therapeutic group and one-on-one settings.
• Skill in engaging individuals with serious mental illness in meaningful structured work-based activities by utilizing strengths-based approaches adaptive strategies and therapeutic communication to support participation build confidence promote new skill acquisition and facilitate progress toward individual goals.
• Ability to maintain a safe organized and person-centered work environment demonstrated through accurate documentation clear and consistent communication with the treatment team and strict adherence to hospital safety protocols and professional boundaries.

This Position Is Designated as Mandatory and Must Report or Stay Over During Adverse Weather Events.

*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:

Cherry Hospital is a State-of-the-Art Psychiatric hospital located in Goldsboro North Carolina. Cherry Hospital serves the 38 most eastern counties of North Carolina with a mission to serve those with the greatest need and the fewest resources. We strive to create a healing environment in which every team member has opportunity to positively impact on the lives of those around them and the individuals we serve. Learn more about our facility at In addition to a very competitive salary this opportunity offers an excellent benefits package loan repayment opportunities employment stability and rewarding professional opportunities.

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 facilitys 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 11:59 pm 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 and National Guard Preference
  • Applicants seeking Veterans 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 members 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 Cherry Hospital .

  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.

  Recruiter:

  Jennifer LaDawn Jones

  Email: