Pros
Flexible schedules (overtime always available/switching shifts is easy), 2.5x pay for holidays, occasional incentives for overtime and need-based situations (winter). Most of the staff you directly work with are supportive and entertaining which makes the job more enjoyable. Most of the kids will leave a marker on your heart, or a scar on your skin, but many of them are worth the harsh conditions because even they can teach you something even if it's how to be a better person/ better parent! Experience working in a fast paced environment, learning crisis response and time management, as well as deescalation skills. Many hard working, dedicated, compassionate, grudge-free staff, many of which have personal understanding of mental health challenges. Can be very rewarding, but eye-opening, to those entering the work force who desire to work in social services.
Cons
Understanding the mental health field and understanding mental health and politics are two separate arenas. Direct care staff's priority is to manage clients in crisis the best that they can with what little resources are provided. Management often brings in clients who simply do not belong in the hospital especially when compared with current clientele and staff capabilities. Male to female ratio is about 1:4 often leaving females in dangerous situations with older and highly aggressive/overly sexualized clients (Male and Female). Management does their best unfortunately by leaving direct care staff out of the logistics process often leading to lies and manipulation at the cost of current and future clients. The administration also has little regard or seemingly so, respect, for their direct care workers (as evidenced by the numerous heart felt letters, one signed by more than 50 staff, expressing deep concern for the organization/new-hire training/safety concerns). Which is unfortunate and detrimental since direct care is responsible for carrying out the mission and treatment to clients in their care. Turn over is horrendous and as with most companies, many things get swept under the rug; situations that could have been brought to attention so that staff could learn from critical mistakes in prevention for incidents occurring in the future. There is also very little presence from the administration in times of need (highly intense/dangerous situations requiring all available staff). They are very quick to tell you what you are doing wrong and to question your decisions/motives but give very little (rational) input on how to handle or make situations better. They also have no problem with slamming modules with staff intensive clients back-to-back or at the same time. They also, historically, go after staff who have opened a can of worms and expressed concern or disdain over questionably unethical procedures, or those who have suggested implementation of better security/safety practices. Staff are also encouraged to refrain from painting a realistic picture of what you might expect or be exposed to as a new-hire.