Behavioral Health Associate
About The Position
The Behavioral Health Associate provides direct patient care and support services under the direction of nursing and clinical leadership. The role supports patient safety, daily activities, therapeutic programming, documentation, and a safe, structured, healing environment. The associate is expected to interact with patients positively, empathetically, and professionally, with patient safety as the highest priority. The position is at Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Starting pay is $18.00+ per hour, based on experience and qualifications. Shifts are 12 hours and include rotating weekends. The hospital is a joint venture between Henry Ford Health and Acadia Healthcare. Its facility includes contemporary amenities and six outdoor therapeutic spaces, and its culture emphasizes compassionate, evidence-based care.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED, or equivalent.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people experiencing behavioral health, mental health, or emotional challenges.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and observation skills.
- Ability to remain calm, professional, and compassionate in fast-paced situations.
- Commitment to patient safety, dignity, and high-quality care.
- CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required; training is available upon hire and offered by the facility.
Nice To Haves
- Six months or more of experience in behavioral health, healthcare, human services, direct patient care, social services, or a related field; experience with the facility’s specific population is preferred.
- Experience working with adolescents, adults, or senior adults in a clinical, residential, or healthcare setting.
- Current CPR certification or ability to obtain certification upon hire.
- First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.
Responsibilities
- Demonstrate urgency around patient safety and provide excellent customer service.
- Support patients’ well-being and maintain a positive, supportive, structured environment.
- Conduct safety checks and provide supervision at 15-minute intervals, according to special precautions or individualized supervision guidelines.
- Document timely, accurate, and appropriate clinical information in patient medical records.
- Help maintain a safe, secure, and comfortable environment for patients, significant others, and staff.
- Interact routinely with patients, observe their behavior, and communicate significant observations to nursing staff.
- Assist or oversee patients with activities of daily living, which may include toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration, and changing bed linens.
- Obtain and document patients’ vital signs, height, and weight as assigned.
- Facilitate educational and rehabilitative patient groups on topics such as social skills, coping skills, anger management, and independent living skills.
- Engage patients in activities and interactions that encourage progress toward treatment goals.
- Complete and maintain required documentation, and assist with incident and event follow-up and paperwork.
- Provide patient transportation or coordinate transportation with appropriate staff.
- Respond professionally and empathetically to customers, acknowledge unmet patient needs, and work to resolve complaints.
- Perform other assigned functions and tasks.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
