MHT EXTERNSHIP
Mental Health Technician Externship in Wisconsin
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on behavioral health experience across The Badger 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
240+
WI BH Facilities
$0
Externship Cost
1,280+
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 Wisconsin
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 — UW Health Psychiatry, Froedtert Behavioral, Rogers Behavioral Health, Mendota Mental Health Institute
- ✓ 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 Wisconsin
Wisconsin has 240+ behavioral health facilities including psychiatric hospitals, treatment centers, and community mental health programs. Here are potential externship sites by region.
Milwaukee Metro (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee Counties)
Wisconsin's largest city with Froedtert, Rogers, and Aurora behavioral health.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Froedtert Behavioral Health (Medical College), Rogers Behavioral Health (premier), Aurora Psychiatric Hospital, Columbia St. Mary's BH
Behavioral Health Centers:
Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division (major), Sixteenth Street Community Health BH, Wellpoint Care Network, NAMI Greater Milwaukee
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Rogers Memorial Hospital, Aurora Recovery, Milwaukee Crisis Line (414-257-7222), BHD Crisis
💡 Milwaukee has Rogers Behavioral Health—nationally renowned. Froedtert/Medical College is academic center. Milwaukee County BHD manages public services. Competitive but abundant.
Madison Metro (Dane County)
State capital with UW Health Psychiatry and Mendota Mental Health Institute.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
UW Health Psychiatry (academic), Meriter Unity Point Behavioral, SSM Health St. Mary's BH, Mendota Mental Health Institute (state)
Behavioral Health Centers:
Journey Mental Health Center (major CMH), Dane County Human Services, Access Community Health Centers BH, Yahara House
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
UW Health Addiction, Journey MHC Recovery, Madison Crisis Line, Dane County Crisis
💡 Madison has UW Health Psychiatry—Wisconsin's academic center. Mendota Mental Health Institute is state facility. State capital has government behavioral health jobs.
Green Bay/Fox Valley (Brown, Outagamie Counties)
Packers country with Bellin Behavioral and community mental health.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Bellin Psychiatric Center (major), HSHS St. Vincent Behavioral, ThedaCare Behavioral Health, Aurora BayCare Behavioral
Behavioral Health Centers:
Brown County Human Services, NAMI Brown County, Libertas Treatment Center, Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Bellin Recovery, Willow Creek Behavioral, Green Bay Crisis Line, Brown County Crisis
💡 Green Bay/Fox Valley has Bellin Psychiatric Center. Growing region with Packers community. ThedaCare expanding behavioral services.
Northern Wisconsin (Marathon, La Crosse, Eau Claire Counties)
Marshfield Clinic and Mayo Clinic Health System serve northern Wisconsin.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Marshfield Clinic Behavioral Health, Mayo Clinic Health System BH (Eau Claire, La Crosse), Aspirus Behavioral, Gundersen Behavioral
Behavioral Health Centers:
North Central Health Care (major CMH), Western Wisconsin Cares, Lac Courte Oreilles BH, Great Rivers 211
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Marshfield Recovery, Gundersen Addiction, Northern WI Crisis Lines, NCHC Crisis
💡 Northern Wisconsin has Marshfield Clinic and Mayo Clinic Health System. Rural communities have significant shortages. Beautiful northwoods lifestyle attracts workers.
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 Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin:
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