Behavioral Health Associate - Inpatient

Harboroaks; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Harboroaks in Pittsburgh is seeking dedicated staff to provide personal care services to children and adolescents facing mental health challenges. This role emphasizes patient safety, engagement in activities, and accurate documentation of care provided.

Qualified candidates will be required to have a high school diploma, CPR certification, and ideally, some experience in a similar setting. This position involves working 12-hour shifts in a supportive inpatient environment.

Qualifications

• Six months or more experience working with children and adolescents preferred.
• CPR and de-escalation training required.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care services to patients under clinical supervision.
• Conduct safety checks and document clinical information.
• Engage patients in therapeutic activities.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Documentation

Patient supervision

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Inpatient program at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital offers individualized care for children and adolescents ages 4-18 whose lives have been disrupted by severe mental health challenges. Our inpatient facility near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, helps families start to heal so they can return to their daily lives.

Individuals working with our patients/residents must be 21 years of age or older.

Please note: Southwood is not on a public transportation route.

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.

This position works 12‑hour shifts on the Inpatient unit – either 7 am–7 pm or 7 pm–7 am.

Responsibilities

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, providing a positive, supportive, and structured environment.
• Conduct safety checks and ensure supervision at 15‑minute intervals as required.
• 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.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living (toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration, bed‑linen changes).
• Obtain patient's vital signs, height, and weight as assigned and document in the record.
• Facilitate patient educational‑rehabilitative groups covering 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 for incidents and events.
• Coordinate or provide transportation for patients with appropriate staff.
• Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers; acknowledge concerns and resolve complaints; prioritize patient safety.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

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 required.

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.

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.