Mental Health Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Join the VitalCore Team in Massachusetts! We’re people who are fueled by passion, not by profit.

VitalCore Health Strategies (VCHS), an industry leader in Correctional Health Care, has openings for Part-Time (8 hours/week) Mental Health Assistants  at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center (SBCC) in Lancaster, MA. 

Looking for a rewarding career in the healthcare field with competitive wages?

At VitalCore  we pride ourselves on retaining and acquiring compassionate, dedicated individuals who are committed to providing quality services. Join our team and experience first-hand how VitalCore Health Strategies promotes a positive work environment that is based on respect and appreciation of the hard work and dedication of our staff.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANT POSITION SUMMARY

The Mental Health Assistant provides front line support to patients deemed in need of increased observation and engagement by offering therapeutic based-activities and recreation. Serves as a member of the treatment team while assuring a therapeutic milieu and safety of the living unit. 

• Assists the Clinical Team Leader, Clinical Therapists and Psychologists in implementing clinical treatment plans for patients on Mental Health Watch at medium and maximum security facilities. 

• As a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team, promotes a therapeutic milieu in the observation areas and within the unit milieu. 

• Engages in non-clinical interactions with prisoners on Mental Health Watch, to include social and recreational based activities which augment the three clinical sessions per day. 

• Supports observation of patient behavior for safety or clinical issues. 

• Documents all non-clinical interactions, patient responses to engagement and all observed patient behaviors occurring throughout the day. Records such information in logs, reports or charts pertaining to daily patient activity and behavior. 

• Prepares various reports on unit activities, as required. 

• Assists the site MH leadership and custody staff by contributing to a therapeutic environment and safety by enforcing policies and procedures. 

• Possess the ability to observe patient behavior and the ability to recognize and report unusual occurrences. 

• Takes direction and supervision from A Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) who provides guidance on appropriate non-clinical activities and ensures the efficacy of the interactions with the patient on Mental Health Watch. 

• Participates in relevant Meetings to include Triage and/or Shift-Change Meetings where QMHPs conduct a clinical hand-off {first shift second shift- QMHP/Crisis Clinician), discuss clinically appropriate Support Persons activities for each patient on a Therapeutic Supervision Mental Health Watch and where Support Persons documentation from the prior day can be thoroughly reviewed by the entire Treatment Team. 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANT MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma (preference for an associate degree in human services, or working towards a degree in human services) 

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, social work or criminal justice field is preferred. 

• Preferred direct care experience in a mental health or forensic mental facility, security residence, or correctional facility. 

• Preferred healthcare, mental health or human services experience.