Mental Health Associate - Full time - Overnight shift

Meritus Health External • Hagerstown, MD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Position Summary: The Mental Health Associate provides direct care and therapeutic support to patients of all ages in a psychiatric setting. This role involves observing and documenting patient behavior, maintaining a safe and structured environment, and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to promote patient well-being. The associate plays a key role in fostering a therapeutic milieu and supporting program activities. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Maintain confidentiality in all patient interactions and documentation Provide direct patient care with attention to safety, comfort, and therapeutic engagement Observe and report patient behavior to clinical staff; document in progress notes Respond appropriately to patient needs and behavioral interventions Build cooperative relationships with staff, patients, and families Demonstrate leadership and empathy in daily interactions Implement structured programming using the Theme of the Day concept Support and maintain a therapeutic environment on psychiatric units Assist in training and orienting new employees Modify interventions to be age-appropriate for each patient and family situation Enforce unit rules and organizational policies assertively and respectfully Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Requirements

• High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree in a social science preferred
• Prior mental health experience preferred
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions using sound judgment
• Legally licensed to operate hospital vehicles
• Basic to moderate computer skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Current BLS (CPR) certification in compliance with policy
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record preferred (no moving violations in the past three years)
• Annual submission of certified driving record required on date of birth
• Signed acknowledgment of “Attestation A” of Meritus Vehicle Management Use and Control policy
• Sitting (40%)
• standing (50%)
• walking (70%)
• bending/stooping/reaching (10%)
• May be subject to physically aggressive acts from others
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds as needed (less than 10%)
• Moderate computer use (30%)
• Must maintain regular, punctual attendance and be present on-site (100%)

Nice To Haves

• bachelor’s degree in a social science preferred
• Prior mental health experience preferred
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record preferred (no moving violations in the past three years)

Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality in all patient interactions and documentation
• Provide direct patient care with attention to safety, comfort, and therapeutic engagement
• Observe and report patient behavior to clinical staff; document in progress notes
• Respond appropriately to patient needs and behavioral interventions
• Build cooperative relationships with staff, patients, and families
• Demonstrate leadership and empathy in daily interactions
• Implement structured programming using the Theme of the Day concept
• Support and maintain a therapeutic environment on psychiatric units
• Assist in training and orienting new employees
• Modify interventions to be age-appropriate for each patient and family situation
• Enforce unit rules and organizational policies assertively and respectfully
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

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
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees