A Mental Health Assistant provides basic care and assistance with daily activities to patients with mental illnesses or cognitive disabilities. Helps patients dress and eat, monitors patients' well-being, and restrains patients if they become physically violent. Works in hospitals or mental health care facilities.
10-20 hours per week (Spread across 3-5 days per week)
Schedule:
School hours (Exact morning/afternoon schedule to be finalized with the right candidate)
Pay Rate:
$25 - $35+ per hour (Commensurate with experience and program year) Job Overview We are seeking an enthusiastic, patient, and knowledgeable personal aide to support our bright 8-year-old son, who experiences ADHD and anxiety. This is an ideal position for a graduate-level Occupational Therapy (OT) student, School Psychology student, or experienced Behavior Technician looking for meaningful, hands-on clinical experience. The primary goal of this role is to act as a 1:1 school-based support provider, helping our son build essential, lifelong tools for self-advocacy, emotional health, and academic independence.
Key Responsibilities Executive Function Coaching:
Guide the student in time management, organizing materials, tracking tasks, and chunking assignments to prevent overwhelm.
Transition Facilitation:
Support smooth transitions between academic tasks, classroom environments, and social periods (e.g., recess to classroom).
Somatic & Regulation Interventions:
Co-regulate with the student and prompt the use of learned somatic coping mechanisms (e.g., deep breathing, heavy work, grounding techniques) during moments of anxiety or sensory overload.
Collaboration:
Partner with parents, classroom teachers, and school staff to ensure consistency across environments. Qualifications Enrolled in an accredited Graduate Program for Occupational Therapy (highly preferred), Special Education, School Psychology, or a related therapeutic field. Deep understanding of neurodiversity, specifically pediatric ADHD and anxiety presentations. Strong grasp of sensory processing, executive functioning strategies, and somatic/body-based regulation tools. Exceptional patience, emotional maturity, and a collaborative mindset. Reliable transportation to and from the school in the Ventura County area. Must pass a background check/TB test (as required by the school site).
