Mental Health Associate Professional

Job Description

Job Description

Associate Professional (AP) – Level III Residential Treatment Family Advantage LLC
Service: Level III Residential Treatment – Children & Adolescents
NC Licensure Category: 10A NCAC 27G .1700 – Residential Treatment Staff Secure for Children or Adolescents
Position: Associate Professional (AP)
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Setting: In-Person / Residential
Pay: $19.00–$22.00 per hour, based on education and qualifying experience

Position Summary

Family Advantage LLC is seeking a qualified Associate Professional (AP) to work within our Level III Residential Treatment Program serving children and adolescents with mental health and behavioral needs.

The AP is a direct-care professional who assists with the day-to-day operation of the residential facility, supports implementation of each child's treatment plan, provides supervision and direction to Paraprofessional staff as assigned, and participates in service-planning activities.

This position requires direct interaction with children and adolescents in a structured 24-hour residential treatment environment.

NC Minimum Qualifications – Associate Professional

Applicants must meet at least one of the Associate Professional qualification pathways established under 10A NCAC 27G .0104 :

Master's Degree – Human Services Field

Graduate of a college or university with a master's degree in a human service field with less than one year of full-time, post-graduate MH/DD/SA experience with the population served .

The AP must receive supervision from a Qualified Professional with experience with the population served until the employee meets the required one year of experience.

Bachelor's Degree – Human Services Field

Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in a human service field with less than two years of full-time, post-bachelor's MH/DD/SA experience with the population served .

The AP must receive supervision from a Qualified Professional with experience with the population served until the employee meets the required two years of experience.

Bachelor's Degree – Non-Human Services Field

Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in a field other than human services with less than four years of full-time, post-bachelor's MH/DD/SA experience with the population served .

The AP must receive supervision from a Qualified Professional with experience with the population served until the employee meets the required four years of experience.

Registered Nurse

A Registered Nurse licensed to practice in North Carolina with less than four years of full-time accumulated MH/DD/SA experience with the population served may also meet the AP definition, subject to the applicable supervision requirements.

Important: Education, transcripts, employment history, and qualifying MH/DD/SA experience will be verified before the applicant is classified as an Associate Professional.

AP Supervision Requirements

In accordance with North Carolina requirements, an Associate Professional must be supervised by a Qualified Professional (QP) with experience with the population served for the applicable period.

An individualized supervision plan must be developed upon hire between the supervisor and employee and reviewed annually.

The AP must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to work with the population served, including technical knowledge, cultural awareness, analytical and decision-making abilities, interpersonal and communication skills, and clinical skills.

Primary Responsibilities

The Associate Professional will:

• Assist with management of the day-to-day operations of the Level III residential facility .

• Provide direct care, supervision, structure, and therapeutic support to children and adolescents.

• Supervise Paraprofessionals regarding responsibilities associated with implementation of each child's treatment plan.

• Participate in service-planning and treatment-team meetings.

• Implement treatment-plan goals, interventions, behavioral strategies, and safety plans.

• Assist youth with developing coping skills, emotional regulation, communication skills, problem-solving skills, social skills, and independent living skills.

• Monitor client behavior, progress, safety, and functioning.

• Communicate significant clinical, behavioral, or safety concerns to the QP and other appropriate supervisory/clinical staff.

• Assist with crisis prevention and use approved de-escalation and behavioral-intervention techniques.

• Maintain a safe, structured, therapeutic residential environment.

• Complete progress notes, shift documentation, behavioral documentation, incident reports, and other required records accurately and on time.

• Participate in shift-change communication and ensure relevant information is communicated to incoming staff.

• Assist with medication-related responsibilities when appropriately trained and authorized.

• Transport youth to appointments, school, family visits, community activities, and other approved destinations when assigned.

• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, training, treatment-team meetings, and quality-assurance activities.

• Maintain professional boundaries and protect client confidentiality.

• Follow HIPAA, Client Rights, incident-reporting requirements, agency policies, treatment plans, and applicable North Carolina requirements.

• Immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, injuries, elopements, safety concerns, and other reportable incidents according to agency policy and applicable requirements.

.1700 Residential Staffing Requirement

Under 10A NCAC 27G .1703 , each .1700 residential facility must have at least one full-time direct-care staff member who meets or exceeds the requirements of an Associate Professional .

Family Advantage LLC will maintain written policies defining the AP's responsibilities, including:

• Management of day-to-day facility operations

• Supervision of Paraprofessionals regarding implementation of children's treatment plans

• Participation in service-planning meetings

Employment Requirements

Candidates must successfully complete all applicable Family Advantage and North Carolina employment requirements, which may include:

• Official education/transcript verification

• Verification of qualifying MH/DD/SA experience