BHA

Willingway; Statesboro (GA); Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Willingway in Georgia is seeking a Behavioral Health Associate I to join the multidisciplinary treatment team. You will monitor client behaviors, provide continuous care, assist in data collection, and respond in crises in a structured, supportive environment.

The role involves safety checks, group activities, charting vitals, de-escalation, and incident reporting. On-site work with opportunities to support client education and discharge processes.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Six months or more experience with the population served preferred.
• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders and treatment modalities is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Ensures client safety and maintains a structured environment.
• Performs safety checks and supervises clients per guidelines.
• Observes client behaviors and reports significant changes to supervisor.
• Promotes participation in group therapy and activities.
• Records vital signs and updates client records accurately.
• Applies de-escalation techniques to manage emotions and behavior.
• Assists with unit organization, admissions/discharge paperwork, and incident reports.
• Transfers or coordinates transportation for clients when needed.
• Provides thorough shift handover and orientations for new clients.

Skills

De-escalation techniques

Safety awareness

Client interaction

Accurate charting

CPR certification

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

**About the Job:**PURPOSE STATEMENT: The Behavioral Health Associate I serves as an integral part of the multidisciplinary treatment team and is responsible for monitoring and reporting of client behaviors; providing continuous client care, supervision, interaction, and role modeling; assisting in client data collection, recording, and maintenance; and responding in crisis situations and medical emergencies as needed.**Roles and Responsibilities:****ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:*** Ensures the wellbeing of clients and provides a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment. Maintains a constant awareness and supervision of clients.* Conducts safety checks, ensuring that supervision is conducted at intervals in accordance with individualized supervision guidelines.* Checks clients for contraband and manages the client’s valuables and belongings.* Interacts routinely with clients, observes behaviors and communicates significant observations to supervisor. Encourages attendance at group therapy and promotes client participation in unit activities.* Engages with clients in activities and interactions designed to encourage achievement of treatment goals.* Facilitates client educational-rehabilitative groups which cover a variety of topics including social skills, coping skills and independent living skills.* Takes and records vital signs properly and communicates significant changes in client’s condition to the charge nurse.* Charts in client records timely, accurately, and appropriately.* Applies de-escalation techniques to help manage client’s emotions, behavior and participation in treatment.* Assists with unit cleaning, organization of new admits charts, discharge process, filing, etc. Initiates client/employee incident reports.* Provides transfer or transportation for client or coordinates transportation with appropriate staff member, as required.* Receives report from previous shift to utilize information in planning for shift and then provides an accurate and thorough report to oncoming shift.* Serves as a resource for new clients introducing them to other clients and staff, explaining programs and encouraging participation. Orients clients to the activities program, explaining the benefits of activities.* Maintains an awareness of client's needs and individual goals while motivating clients towards activities which are beneficial to them. Observes clients’ interest levels and behaviors.* Assists with activity planning by offering new activity ideas and diverse therapeutic recreation program.* Organizes and sets up the equipment that is used in recreational activities. Provides clients with activity resources and supplies, as needed.* Enforces safety rules to prevent injury and modifies activities to suit the needs of specific groups.* Helps to develop and maintain departmental resources, sharing the responsibility to monitor equipment and supplies.**EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:*** High school graduate or equivalent.* Six months or more experience working with the specific population of the facility preferred.* Knowledge of common psychiatric disorders and/or dual diagnosis and various treatment modalities of the population served preferred.**LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:*** CPR certification and de-escalation training required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).* First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.**WORK LOCATION:**This position is onsite at the facility and is not a remote position.**SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS:**This position is an Individual Contributor.Why Willingway?Willingway offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Qualified candidates should apply by submitting a resume. Willingway is an EOE.