MHT EXTERNSHIP
Mental Health Technician Externship in Maine
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on behavioral health experience across The Pine Tree State. Build clinical skills, make a difference in patients' lives, and connect with employers in mental healthcare.
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Flexible
Hours
40-80
Hours Recommended
85+
ME BH Facilities
$0
Externship Cost
450+
Annual Openings
Why Get an MHT Externship?
A Mental Health Technician externship gives you real-world behavioral health experience that employers value. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychiatric technicians earn a median salary of $38,000+ with faster-than-average job growth due to increased mental health awareness.
An externship helps you:
- ✓ Practice patient observation, de-escalation, and therapeutic communication in real settings
- ✓ Build professional references from behavioral health supervisors
- ✓ Discover which setting fits you best (inpatient, residential, crisis, substance abuse)
- ✓ Convert your externship into a job offer — behavioral health has high demand
New to behavioral health? EHired offers free training to prepare you for AMCA MHT certification. An externship is optional but highly recommended for building confidence and making a real difference in patients' lives.
⚠️ Important: EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. You contact facilities directly to arrange your own placement. This self-managed approach gives you flexibility to choose sites near your home and build direct relationships with potential employers.
How to Find an Externship in Maine
Follow this step-by-step process to secure a behavioral health externship.
Identify Potential Sites
Look for facilities that employ Mental Health Technicians:
- ✓ Psychiatric hospitals — Inpatient behavioral health units
- ✓ Behavioral health centers — Maine Medical Center Psychiatry, Riverview Psychiatric Center, Acadia Hospital, Spring Harbor Hospital
- ✓ Residential treatment — Long-term mental health facilities
- ✓ Substance abuse centers — Detox and rehab facilities
- ✓ Crisis stabilization units — Short-term crisis care
- ✓ Community mental health — Outpatient behavioral health
- ✓ VA medical centers — Veterans mental health programs
Prepare Your Approach
Get ready before contacting sites:
- ✓ Update your resume — Include EHired training, any healthcare/human services experience
- ✓ Prepare a pitch — "I'm completing MHT training and seeking hands-on behavioral health experience"
- ✓ Highlight your qualities — Patience, empathy, communication skills, reliability
- ✓ Be flexible — Behavioral health is 24/7; offer evening/weekend availability
- ✓ Expect background check — Most behavioral health facilities require this
Make Contact
Reach out to facilities directly:
- ✓ Call first — Ask for the unit manager, nurse manager, or HR department
- ✓ Email HR — Many behavioral health facilities prefer email inquiries
- ✓ Explain the arrangement — Unpaid, flexible hours, eager to learn and help
- ✓ Emphasize commitment — Mental health work requires dedication
- ✓ Follow up — If no response in 1 week, call again politely
Complete Your Externship
Make the most of your experience:
- ✓ Track your hours — Log date, hours, and experiences
- ✓ Learn actively — Observe de-escalation, ask questions appropriately
- ✓ Maintain boundaries — Professional relationships with patients always
- ✓ Practice self-care — Behavioral health work can be emotionally demanding
- ✓ Ask about openings — Express interest in future employment
Sample Script: Calling a Behavioral Health Facility
"Hi, my name is [Your Name]. I'm completing a Mental Health Technician training program and I'm looking to gain hands-on experience in behavioral health through an externship. I'm passionate about helping people with mental health challenges and I'm wondering if your facility might have room for an extern? I'm flexible with scheduling, including evenings and weekends, and I'm prepared to complete any required background check. Would it be possible to speak with someone in HR or a unit manager about this opportunity?"
Key points to emphasize: You're trained, you're passionate about mental health, you're flexible with scheduling (24/7 field), and you understand the importance of the work. Behavioral health facilities value dedication and empathy.
Where to Find Externships in Maine
Maine has 85+ behavioral health facilities including psychiatric hospitals, treatment centers, and community mental health programs. Here are potential externship sites by region.
Portland/Southern Maine (Cumberland, York Counties)
Maine's population center with Maine Medical Center and Spring Harbor.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Maine Medical Center Psychiatry, Spring Harbor Hospital (major psych), Southern Maine Health Care BH, York Hospital Behavioral
Behavioral Health Centers:
Opportunity Alliance, Community Counseling Center, Spurwink Services, Southern Maine Agency on Aging BH, PROP
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Milestone Foundation, CrossRoads, Portland Recovery Community Center, Southern Maine Crisis Line
💡 Portland has 50% of Maine behavioral health jobs. Spring Harbor Hospital is major psychiatric facility. MaineHealth is largest employer. Boston accessible.
Central Maine (Androscoggin, Kennebec Counties)
Lewiston-Auburn and Augusta with Riverview Psychiatric Center and community providers.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Riverview Psychiatric Center (state hospital), Central Maine Medical Center BH, MaineGeneral Behavioral Health, St. Mary's BH
Behavioral Health Centers:
Tri-County Mental Health Services, Kennebec Behavioral Health, Crisis & Counseling Centers, Community Clinical Services
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Day One, Wellspring Inc, Central Maine Crisis Line, Kennebec Behavioral Crisis
💡 Central Maine has Riverview Psychiatric Center—state's public psychiatric hospital in Augusta. State capital has government behavioral health jobs.
Bangor/Eastern Maine (Penobscot County)
Northern Maine's hub with Acadia Hospital and Northern Light behavioral health.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Acadia Hospital (major psych), Northern Light Eastern Maine Psychiatry, St. Joseph Hospital BH, Northern Light Inland BH
Behavioral Health Centers:
Community Health and Counseling Services (major CMH), Penobscot Community Health Center BH, Wings for Children and Families
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Wellspring Addiction Services, Discovery House, Bangor Crisis Line, CHCS Crisis Services
💡 Bangor serves northern and eastern Maine. Acadia Hospital is major psychiatric facility. Northern Light Health dominates region. Rural opportunities abundant.
Midcoast/Downeast (Knox, Hancock Counties)
Coastal communities with Pen Bay and regional behavioral health services.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Pen Bay Medical Center Behavioral Health, Maine Coast Memorial BH, Blue Hill Memorial BH, Waldo County General BH
Behavioral Health Centers:
Coastal Community Action BH, Washington Hancock Community Agency, Knox County Health Clinic BH, Down East Community Hospital BH
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Wellspring Coastal, MidCoast Recovery Coalition, Coastal Crisis Line, Downeast Crisis Services
💡 Coastal Maine has seasonal tourism impact. Retiree population growing. Tight-knit communities with behavioral health shortages. Beautiful but isolated.
What You'll Learn During Your Externship
A behavioral health externship exposes you to real patient care in mental health settings. Here are skills you'll develop:
Patient Observation
Monitoring patient behavior, mood changes, and safety. Documenting observations accurately for clinical staff.
De-escalation Techniques
Learning verbal and non-verbal strategies to calm agitated patients. Crisis prevention and intervention basics.
Therapeutic Communication
Active listening, empathetic responses, and appropriate boundaries. Building rapport with patients in distress.
Documentation
Recording patient behaviors, incidents, and progress. Understanding behavioral health charting requirements.
ADL Assistance
Helping patients with daily activities—hygiene, meals, medication reminders. Supporting patient independence.
Safety Monitoring
Conducting safety checks, understanding suicide precautions, and maintaining secure environments.
Ready to Start Your MHT Career in Maine?
Free to enroll. Free to learn. Pay $650 only when you're ready to certify.
No credit card required • No FAFSA • No obligation
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MHT externships in Maine:
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