Support Person

 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. 

•  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. 

•  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.