Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital adding 70+ jobs

Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital, located in Middle Point, is expanding its operations. The psychiatric hospital serves individuals dealing with mental health issues with and without co-occurring chemical addictions.

The hospital offers a range of services and programs that cater to individuals with mental health issues, including substance abuse detoxification, dual diagnosis (for individuals affected by chemical dependency and psychiatric illness), psychological assessments and psychiatric evaluations, and continuing education for drug abuse, illness, and medication.

Ridgeview is owned by Oglethorpe Inc., and is a Medicare approved provider. Located in Van Wert County, about an hour from Fort Wayne, Indiana, the hospital is investing approximately $1.6 million in its expansion project.

Ridgeview is currently a 40-bed inpatient hospital and will be adding 30 more beds with this expansion. According to Luke Mohr, director of operations at Ridgeview, the hospital will also undergo remodeling.

The expansion includes a 15,000 square foot addition.

"The new addition will provide more treatment areas for groups and in general," Mohr stated.

According to Pat Tracy, administrator, the remodel of the facility includes work being done to showers, hallways, staff lounge area, therapist office, and possibly the admissions office. Tracy has been employed by Oglethorpe for the past two decades.

"I've been with Oglethorpe 20 years and the most exciting thing about this project has been the community support," Tracy noted. "We've added (many) nursing staff positions."

Although the $1.6 million project did not receive any economic development incentives, Mohr noted that the creation of new jobs is anticipated.

"We expect to employ an addition 70 to 100 people," Mohr stated.

Currently, the hospital employs approximately 130 people, three being psychiatrists. Tracy stated that many people looking for the type of positions that Ridgeview will be adding have left the area looking for opportunities in larger cities. He advised that this creation of jobs could bring people back to the area.

Construction began in December and completion is anticipated within six months.

"We strive to be friendly to the environment," Mohr stated.

Tracy noted that energy efficient lighting along with shrubbery and landscaping will be incorporated into the project.

Design Collaborative, Inc., located in Fort Wayne, is providing architectural services for this project. At the time this article was written, a general contractor had not been chosen.

Ridgeview offers the following amenities:

* 24-hour care

* Multi-disciplinary staff

* Private and semi-private rooms

* Cafeteria able to modify meals to fit dietary needs

* Affiliated pharmacy

* Individual, group, and family therapy sessions

* 12-step programs

"We're one of the few hospitals that offer this type of treatment," Tracy stated.

According to the hospital, it has a staged recovery intervention strategy that is designed to address the distortions in body function, emotion, mood, motivation, and cognitive thought - which are associated with co-occurring disorders of mental illness and addiction.

The hospital's admissions process includes referrals from medical doctors, psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, case managers, managed care organizations, employee assistance programs, insurance companies, probation, law officers, and clergy as well as self-referrals and those of family members and friends.