Behavioral Health Associate

Acadia Healthcare; Canonsburg (Washington County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwood Psychiatric Hospital in Cannonsburg, PA, seeks a dedicated patient care assistant to support children and adolescents in an IDD/ASD residential program. You will provide personal care under clinical supervision, maintain a safe, structured environment, and observe patients to report significant changes.

You will perform safety checks every 15 minutes, assist with activities of daily living, document care in the medical record, and help coordinate transportation or follow-up as needed.

Qualifications

• CPR, de-escalation and restraint certification required.
• First aid may be required depending on state or facility.
• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Six months' experience with the specified population preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care services to patients under supervision and direction of clinical/nursing staff.
• Conduct regular safety checks and ensure 15-minute supervision is followed per guidelines.
• Document timely, accurate notes in the patient’s medical record.
• Help maintain a safe, secure, and supportive environment for patients, families, and staff.
• Assist with activities of daily living and coordinate transportation as needed.

Skills

CPR certification

De-escalation training

Restraint training

First aid

Patient care experience

Empathy and communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Six months experience with psychiatric/IDD population

Job description

The psychiatric treatment of children and adolescents with severe emotional, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disabilities is best accomplished within a comprehensive treatment program specifically designed to meet individualized needs. For this reason, Southwood Psychiatric Hospital has created an Intellectual Developmental Disability / Autism Spectrum Disorder (IDD/ASD) Residential Treatment Program. Located in Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, the IDD/ASD Program provides treatment for up to 44 males between the ages of 6 and 21 years of age. The staff‑to‑child ratio in this program is 1:4, ensuring that each patient who takes part in this programming option has the thorough support he needs to be successful during the treatment process.

Patients working with residents must be 21 years of age. We are not on the public transportation line.

Purpose Statement

Responsible for providing personal care services to patients at the facility under the direction of clinical or nursing leadership. Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

Essential Functions

• Demonstrate a sense of urgency related to the importance of patient safety and provide excellent customer services.
• Ensure the well‑being of patients and provide a positive, supportive and structured environment.
• Responsible for conducting safety checks and ensuring that supervision is conducted at 15 minute intervals, as noted in special precautions, or in accordance with individualized supervision guidelines as needed.
• Document timely, accurate and appropriate clinical information in patient’s medical record.
• Assist in providing a safe, secure and comfortable environment for patients, significant others and staff.
• Interact routinely with patients, observe behaviors and communicate significant observations to nursing staff.
• May oversee or assist patients with activities of daily living, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration and changing bed linens.
• May obtain patient’s vital signs, height and weight as assigned and document in patient record.
• Facilitate patient educational‑rehabilitative groups which cover a variety of topics including social skills, coping skills, anger management and independent living skills.
• Engage patients in activities and interactions designed to encourage achievement of treatment goals.
• Complete and maintain required documentation. Assist with follow‑up and paperwork as required on incidents and events that may take place in the facility.
• May provide transportation for patient or coordinate transportation with appropriate staff member.
• Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

Other Functions

• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Education/Experience/Skill Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Six months or more experience working with the specific population of the facility preferred.

Licenses/Designations/Certifications

• CPR and de‑escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
• First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.