Mental Health Associate - Partial Hospitalization Children & Adolescents - Full-time Day Shift

Meritus Health External • Hagerstown, MD

23h • Onsite

About The Position

Make a Meaningful Impact Every Day If you’re someone who shows up with empathy, steadiness, and a genuine desire to help others grow, Brook Lane is looking for you. Our Mental Health Associates are the heartbeat of our psychiatric care teams—supporting patients of all ages, fostering safety and stability, and helping create an environment where healing can begin. Whether you have direct mental health experience or transferable skills from roles in education, human services, coaching, customer support, or caregiving, this is a place where your strengths truly matter. What You’ll Do As a Mental Health Associate, you’ll play a hands-on role in supporting patients through some of their most vulnerable moments. Your day may include: Building trust and therapeutic rapport with patients and families Providing direct care with compassion, patience, and professionalism Observing and documenting patient behavior to support clinical decision-making Responding to patient needs and assisting with behavioral interventions Helping maintain a safe, structured, and supportive environment Leading or assisting with therapeutic programming, including our Theme of the Day activities Collaborating with nurses, therapists, and other team members Supporting new staff during orientation Ensuring age‑appropriate, respectful, and culturally sensitive interactions Upholding unit rules and organizational policies with clarity and respect Your presence helps shape a therapeutic milieu where patients feel seen, supported, and safe. What You Bring You don’t need to have worked in a hospital to succeed here—many of our strongest team members come from backgrounds such as youth mentorship, crisis work, residential programs, education, customer service, or community support roles. We’re looking for people who bring: A high school diploma (Bachelor’s in a social science preferred) Prior mental health or human services experience preferred , but not required Strong communication skills and sound judgment The ability to stay calm, compassionate, and grounded in challenging situations Basic to moderate computer skills A valid driver’s license and clean driving record (preferred) Current BLS (CPR) certification or willingness to obtain it Physical & Environmental Expectations This is an active, engaging role. You’ll spend time: Sitting (40%), standing (50%), walking (70%) Occasionally lifting up to 40 lbs. Navigating situations that may involve physically aggressive behavior Using a computer for documentation Being fully present on-site during scheduled shifts Why Brook Lane Joining Brook Lane means joining a mission-driven team that believes in compassionate care, teamwork, and the power of human connection. You’ll gain hands-on experience in behavioral health, grow your therapeutic skill set, and make a real difference in the lives of patients and families. If you’re ready to build a meaningful career in mental health—and be part of a team that values your empathy, resilience, and commitment—we’d love to meet you! Caring for Our Team We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well-being and professional growth. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance available starting the 1st of the month following date of hire, along with life insurance, & short and long-term disability coverage. Paid Time Off begins accruing from day one, and we also provide a 401k plan, an education assistance program, and an employee assistance program. Additionally, employees working evening, night, or weekend shifts may be eligible for a shift differential, adding even more value to your role. Happy to Help At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality-driven closures, and are always Happy to Help.

Requirements

• A high school diploma (Bachelor’s in a social science preferred)
• Strong communication skills and sound judgment
• The ability to stay calm, compassionate, and grounded in challenging situations
• Basic to moderate computer skills
• A valid driver’s license and clean driving record (preferred)
• Current BLS (CPR) certification or willingness to obtain it

Nice To Haves

• Prior mental health or human services experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Building trust and therapeutic rapport with patients and families
• Providing direct care with compassion, patience, and professionalism
• Observing and documenting patient behavior to support clinical decision-making
• Responding to patient needs and assisting with behavioral interventions
• Helping maintain a safe, structured, and supportive environment
• Leading or assisting with therapeutic programming, including our Theme of the Day activities
• Collaborating with nurses, therapists, and other team members
• Supporting new staff during orientation
• Ensuring age‑appropriate, respectful, and culturally sensitive interactions
• Upholding unit rules and organizational policies with clarity and respect

Benefits

• health, dental, and vision insurance available starting the 1st of the month following date of hire, along with life insurance, & short and long-term disability coverage
• Paid Time Off begins accruing from day one
• 401k plan
• an education assistance program
• an employee assistance program
• employees working evening, night, or weekend shifts may be eligible for a shift differential

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED