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Tandem Behavioral Health
Residential Crisis QMHP
Career Insights for Mental Health Assistant
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Based on Virginia 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.
$37,015 / year median in Virginia
+13% projected growth
Job Description
We are currently looking for a Day Shift QMHP Position Summary What This Role Actually Is You are the eyes, ears, and steady presence on a small residential unit where people in acute psychiatric crisis are trying to stabilize. You work under the supervision of licensed clinical staff, alongside nurses, peers, and other QMHPs. You don't diagnose, you don't develop treatment plans, you don't conduct clinical assessments, those are LMHP roles. What you do is just as important: You implement the treatment plan the LMHP has developed. You're the person who notices when a client's mood shifts, when something's off, when withdrawal is escalating, when a quiet client suddenly isn't. You're the person who can de-escalate a situation You're the person who makes the unit feel structured, safe, and human at the same time. QMHPs who do this work well are not invisible, they're the operational backbone of crisis stabilization. The licensed clinicians on the team can't do their jobs without strong QMHPs running the floor. Key Duties & Responsibilities What You'll Do Day-to-Day Direct Client Support Monitor and supervise clients to ensure safety and maintain a supportive therapeutic environment. Conduct regular safety checks per policy (30-minute rounds, headcounts, line-of-sight observations as ordered). Observe and document changes in client behavior, mood, or functioning and report to clinical staff promptly. Assist clients with daily living activities: hygiene, meals, structured activities, transitions between groups. Support clients in attending scheduled groups, therapy, and recreational activities. Implement interventions as identified in the Treatment Plan developed by the LMHP. Crisis Response & De-Escalation Use approved de-escalation strategies (CPI, Handle With Care, or agency-trained equivalent) to defuse escalating situations. Assist with the implementation of safety and crisis intervention protocols. Respond appropriately to behavioral emergencies under the direction of the LMHP and nursing staff. Documentation & Compliance Document all observations, services provided, and significant events in the EHR. Submit clinical documentation (progress notes, daily logs, incident reports) within the 24-hour Virginia Medicaid documentation window. Maintain compliance with DBHDS, Medicaid, Office of Human Rights, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2 (SUD confidentiality) standards. Report incidents, behavioral concerns, and suspected abuse/neglect per agency protocol. Supportive Care Coordination Assist with screening, intake, and orientation of new admissions under LMHP supervision. Help gather mental health, substance use, and criminal history information for the clinical record. Support discharge planning by linking clients with community-based resources and services. Provide psychoeducation on mental health, substance use prevention, and self-care under clinical direction. Team Participation Participate in shift hand-offs, interdisciplinary team meetings, and required trainings. Promote a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented care environment. Assist with facility upkeep and maintaining a clean, safe, and therapeutic setting.