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BC
Bowen Center
Behavioral Support Assistant
Career Insights for Mental Health Assistant
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Based on Indiana data
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What they do
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.
$34,938 / year median in Indiana
+6% projected growth
Job Description
The Behavioral Support Assistant provides essential care and supervision for adult patients in an intensive, high acuity patient population, 24-hour program setting. This role requires a specialized skill set and involves working with individuals who require specialized behavioral support, ensuring a safe environment and promoting patient well-being. The Assistant will assist with daily needs, transportation, meal preparation, and emergency de-escalation, while maintaining a high level of professionalism and care.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Below are the primary duties and essential functions of an employee in this position. While not all tasks may be performed by every employee in this role, all employees are expected to perform related tasks as needed. These essential functions must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation. Assist patients with their daily activities and needs, ensuring their safety and well-being. Support meal preparation and develop knowledge of nutritional issues, menu planning, food preparation, and food safety. Transport patients to appointments and other services as required. Accompany patients on community outings, providing assistance and supervision. Ensure patient safety by using approved de-escalation techniques when appropriate. Remain on-site during emergencies unless otherwise directed by leadership. Observe patients and report changes in functioning, behaviors, or concerns regarding medication to clinical staff. Maintain up-to-date certifications in CPI, CPR, and First Aid. Develop skills in screening patient calls, assessing the severity of needs. Learn and adhere to the treatment planning model and patient rights, including understanding the complaint processes. Perform other duties as assigned to support the team and patient care.Physical Requirements:
Occupational Exposure Risk Classification:
The normal work routine involves moderate exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues. The normal work routine has a minimal ergonomic risk for repetitive motion impairment. The position may require a moderate amount of physical exertion (bending, lifting, twisting) in the work area. The position requires the ability to engage with patients who may become violent and to participate in physical patient holds using approved techniques when necessary.Required Qualifications:
Education:
High School Diploma or GED.Experience:
Previous experience in transitional living preferred. CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention)- certification must be obtained after hire and prior to providing direct patient care. This certification must be maintained and kept current through employment. BLS (Basic Life Support) and First Aid
- certification must be obtained after hire and prior to providing direct patient care. This certification must be maintained and kept current through employment. Valid driver's license and active auto insurance coverage. Satisfactory results from criminal and driving record background checks Must be a minimum 21 years of age. CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention)
- certification must be obtained after hire and prior to providing direct patient care. This certification must be maintained and kept current through employment. BLS (Basic Life Support) and First Aid
- certification must be obtained after hire and prior to providing direct patient care.