Mental Health Assistant

VitalCore Health Strategies; Lancaster (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

VitalCore Health Strategies is seeking a Part-Time Mental Health Assistant for Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster, MA. The role provides front-line support, therapeutic activities, and collaboration with the treatment team to maintain a safe, therapeutic environment.

You will assist clinicians, engage patients in non-clinical activities, document interactions, and participate in shift hand-offs to ensure continuity of care in a high-security setting.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma (preference for an associate degree in human services, or working towards a degree in human services)
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, social work or criminal justice field is preferred.
• Preferred direct care experience in a mental health or forensic mental facility, security residence, or correctional facility.
• Preferred healthcare, mental health or human services experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Clinical Team Leader, Clinical Therapists and Psychologists in implementing clinical treatment plans for patients on Mental Health Watch at medium and maximum security facilities.
• Promote a therapeutic milieu in the observation areas and within the unit milieu.
• Engage in non-clinical interactions with prisoners on Mental Health Watch, including social and recreational activities.
• Support observation of patient behavior for safety or clinical issues.
• Document all non-clinical interactions, patient responses to engagement and observed behaviors in logs or charts.

Education

High School Diploma

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, social work or criminal justice

Job description

Join the VitalCore Team in Massachusetts!

We’re people who are fueled by passion, not by profit.

Join the VitalCore Team in Massachusetts!

We’re people who are fueled by passion, not by profit.

VitalCore Health Strategies (VCHS), an industry leader in Correctional Health Care, has openings for Part-Time (8 hours/week) Mental Health Assistants at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center (SBCC) in Lancaster, MA.

Looking for a rewarding career in the healthcare field with competitive wages?

At VitalCorewe pride ourselves on retaining and acquiring compassionate, dedicated individuals who are committed to providing quality services. Join our team and experience first‑hand how VitalCore Health Strategies promotes a positive work environment that is based on respect and appreciation of the hard work and dedication of our staff.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANT POSITION SUMMARY

The Mental Health Assistant provides front line support to patients deemed in need of increased observation and engagement by offering therapeutic based-activities and recreation. Serves as a member of the treatment team while assuring a therapeutic milieu and safety of the living unit.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANT ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists the Clinical Team Leader, Clinical Therapists and Psychologists in implementing clinical treatment plans for patients on Mental Health Watch at medium and maximum security facilities.
• As a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team, promotes a therapeutic milieu in the observation areas and within the unit milieu.
• Engages in non-clinical interactions with prisoners on Mental Health Watch, to include social and recreational based activities which augment the three clinical sessions per day.
• Supports observation of patient behavior for safety or clinical issues.
• Documents all non-clinical interactions, patient responses to engagement and all observed patient behaviors occurring throughout the day. Records such information in logs, reports or charts pertaining to daily patient activity and behavior.
• Prepares various reports on unit activities, as required.
• Assists the site MH leadership and custody staff by contributing to a therapeutic environment and safety by enforcing policies and procedures.
• Possess the ability to observe patient behavior and the ability to recognize and report unusual occurrences.
• Takes direction and supervision from A Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) who provides guidance on appropriate non-clinical activities and ensures the efficacy of the interactions with the patient on Mental Health Watch.
• Participates in relevant Meetings to include Triage and/or Shift-Change Meetings where QMHPs conduct a clinical hand-off {first shift second shift- QMHP/Crisis Clinician), discuss clinically appropriate Support Persons activities for each patient on a Therapeutic Supervision Mental Health Watch and where Support Persons documentation from the prior day can be thoroughly reviewed by the entire Treatment Team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANT MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma (preference for an associate degree in human services, or working towards a degree in human services)
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, social work or criminal justice field is preferred.
• Preferred direct care experience in a mental health or forensic mental facility, security residence, or correctional facility.
• Preferred healthcare, mental health or human services experience.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANT SCHEDULE

• Part-Time
• Day Shift

VitalCore Health Strategies is an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives.