Nursing Assistant (Non-Certified) / Behavioral Health Assistant (Harris Hospital)

Salary: $32,686.00 Annually
Location : Anderson County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 190945
Agency: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Division: Patrick B Harris Psychiatric Hospital
Opening Date: 07/23/2026
Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: EA01
Position Number:: 60016929
Normal Work Schedule:: Other
Normal Work Schedule (Other):: The schedule will be discussed during the interview.
Pay Grade: CLN02
Hiring Range - Min.: $32,686.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $32,686.00
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education using verifiable dates.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.


Job Responsibilities
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Nursing Assistant Non-Certified who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.

This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Patrick B. Harris Psychiatric Hospital, 130 SC-252, Anderson, SC 29621.
As the Behavioral Health Assistant (BHA), working under direct supervision of licensed nursing personnel, you will perform routine and specialized patient care duties to psychiatric patients on any assigned unit. You will apply knowledge in age-specific criteria and advanced therapeutic interventions with psychiatric patients including those who have diverse backgrounds, disabilities and co-occurring disorders.

Responsibilities for the Nursing Assistant (Non-Certified):

• Observe, monitor and report patients' physical and behavioral conditions, including those who have diverse backgrounds, disabilities and co-occurring disorders, with consideration to age-specific interventions. Document pertinent information in the clinical record. Relay patient's therapeutic activities to treatment team.
• Assist patients with their personal needs, including bathing, dressing, ambulating and oral hygiene. Care for patients with, disabilities and co-occurring disorders. Use appropriate body mechanics when stooping, bending, and lifting.
• Engage with patients in conversation and activities to encourage community participation. Plan and implement patient care activities and groups based on individual treatment plans. Utilize age-specific interventions.
• Take and record patient's vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and oxygen saturation. Collect specimens.
• Precept new Behavioral Health Assistants to a designated lodge. May be chosen to model outstanding patient care practices and policy and procedure adherence throughout. Responsible for the orientation and care management instructions for new BHAs assigned to the unit.
• Maintain clinical competency by mastering/qualifying required mandatory and non-mandatory in-services/training during this rating period (e.g. MANDT/MAPS, CPR, SCEIS courses, cross training, and age-specific criteria).

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A high school diploma or GED.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds; ability to see, hear at normal volumes, stand, walk, reach, pull, stoop, bend and climb at least two (2) flights of stairs. Ability to tolerate noise level and circulate in patient areas for long periods. Must be able to work with repetitive patient behaviors. Possible exposure to blood/body fluids.

Preferred Qualifications

• Health care or related experience.
• Knowledge of nursing procedures, personal hygiene, basic health and safety practices, basic human anatomy.
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Additional Comments
Post hire, employees must:

• Successfully complete the Basic Fundamentals course with a minimum grade of 75.
• Be able to pass CPR and have the ability to perform MANDT and emergency care during emergencies.
• Have knowledge of nursing procedures, personal hygiene, basic health and safety practices, basic human anatomy.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan
  • State Optional Retirement Program

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.
60028185, 60014066, 60029553, 60013823, 60028195, 60028942
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.


Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.


Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.


Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.


Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01


Have you ever been employed by the SC Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities - Office of Mental Health (OMH) (formerly SC Department of Mental Health)?

• Yes
• No

02


If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense (other than in a Juvenile Court), you MUST list this information (unless you have taken steps to expunge your record.) This includes fraudulent checks, driving under suspension, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, etc. *Please note that conviction of a criminal offense does not bar you from employment in all cases; each conviction is evaluated individually. However, failure to list convictions is considered falsification of the application and WILL BE grounds for termination, if hired. It is your responsibility to know what is on your criminal record. If you have charges on your record that appear without a court disposition (result) you may be asked to provide that information if selected for employment. If you have questions, please inquire before you complete your application.PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ANSWERING THIS QUESTION WILL DEEM YOUR APPLICATION AS INCOMPLETE AND IT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.Please indicate your understanding to this statement by checking the box below.

• Checking this box indicates my understanding to the above referenced statement.

03


Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent GED?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have some health care related experience?

• Yes
• No

05


Are you willing to work at an in-patient facility which serves mentally ill adults?

• Yes
• No

06


Please indicate your salary requirements (please be specific and not put "negotiable" or "open").
Required Question