MHT EXTERNSHIP
Mental Health Technician Externship in Wyoming
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on behavioral health experience across The Cowboy 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
30+
WY BH Facilities
$0
Externship Cost
180+
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 Wyoming
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 — Wyoming State Hospital, Wyoming Behavioral Institute, Cheyenne Regional BH, Elkhorn Valley Rehabilitation
- ✓ 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 Wyoming
Wyoming has 30+ behavioral health facilities including psychiatric hospitals, treatment centers, and community mental health programs. Here are potential externship sites by region.
Cheyenne/Southeast Wyoming (Laramie County)
State capital with Cheyenne Regional and Wyoming Behavioral Institute.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Wyoming Behavioral Institute (major psych), Cheyenne Regional Medical Center BH, Cheyenne VA Medical Center BH, Elkhorn Valley Rehabilitation
Behavioral Health Centers:
Peak Wellness Center (major CMH), Cheyenne Behavioral Health, SAFV Services, Laramie County Community Partnership
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Peak Recovery, Cheyenne Crisis Line, Southeast WY Crisis Services, Peak Wellness Crisis
💡 Cheyenne is Wyoming's largest city and capital. Wyoming Behavioral Institute is major psychiatric facility. Fort Collins, CO accessible for additional opportunities.
Casper/Central Wyoming (Natrona County)
Central Wyoming's hub with Wyoming Behavioral Institute Casper and community providers.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Banner Wyoming Medical Center BH, Wyoming Behavioral Institute Casper, Central Wyoming Counseling Center Inpatient
Behavioral Health Centers:
Central Wyoming Counseling Center (major CMH), True Care, Community Mental Health, Casper VA Clinic BH
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Wyoming Recovery, Casper Crisis Line, Central WY Crisis Services, CWCC Crisis
💡 Casper is Wyoming's 2nd largest city. Central Wyoming Counseling Center is major provider. Energy industry (oil, gas) drives economy and behavioral health needs.
Western Wyoming (Teton, Sweetwater, Fremont Counties)
Jackson Hole and energy/ranching communities with rural behavioral health.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
St. John's Medical Center BH (Jackson), Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County BH, SageWest Health BH (Riverton/Lander)
Behavioral Health Centers:
Jackson Hole Community Counseling (Teton), Southwest Counseling Service (Rock Springs), Fremont Counseling Service, Wind River Reservation BH
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Jackson Hole Recovery, Western WY Crisis Lines, Teton County Crisis, Fremont County Crisis
💡 Western Wyoming has Jackson Hole resort and rural ranching/energy communities. Extreme shortages. St. John's serves wealthy Teton County. Native American behavioral health needs on Wind River Reservation.
Northeast Wyoming/Powder River Basin (Campbell, Sheridan Counties)
Coal country with Campbell County Health and Sheridan Memorial behavioral services.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Campbell County Memorial Hospital BH, Sheridan Memorial Hospital BH, Sheridan VA Healthcare BH, Gillette College Health Services
Behavioral Health Centers:
Northern Wyoming Mental Health Center (major CMH), The Hub, Campbell County Crisis Intervention, Powder River Counseling
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Northern WY Recovery, Northeast WY Crisis Line, Campbell County Crisis, Sheridan Crisis Services
💡 Northeast Wyoming has energy industry economy (coal, oil). Significant behavioral health shortages. Employers offer housing and premium incentives. Billings, MT accessible for specialty care.
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 Wyoming?
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 Wyoming:
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