Title: Mental Health Assisting Careers

Demonstrating Personal Qualities and Abilities
  Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
  Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving.
  Demonstrate initiative and self-direction.
  Demonstrate integrity.
  Demonstrate work ethic.
  WorkplaceReadinessSkillsPoster2019.pdf
Demonstrating Interpersonal Skills
  Demonstrate conflict-resolution skills.
  Demonstrate listening and speaking skills.
  Demonstrate respect for diversity.
  Demonstrate customer service skills.
  Collaborate with team members.
Demonstrating Professional Competencies
  Demonstrate big-picture thinking.
  Demonstrate career- and life-management skills.
  Demonstrate continuous learning and adaptability.
  Manage time and resources.
  Demonstrate information-literacy skills.
  Demonstrate an understanding of information security.
  Maintain working knowledge of current information-technology (IT) systems.
  Demonstrate proficiency with technologies, tools, and machines common to a specific occupation.
  Apply mathematical skills to job-specific tasks.
  Demonstrate professionalism.
  Demonstrate reading and writing skills.
  Demonstrate workplace safety.
Examining All Aspects of an Industry
  Examine aspects of planning within an industry/organization.
  Examine aspects of management within an industry/organization.
  Examine aspects of financial responsibility within an industry/organization.
  Examine technical and production skills required of workers within an industry/organization.
  Examine principles of technology that underlie an industry/organization.
  Examine labor issues related to an industry/organization.
  Examine community issues related to an industry/organization.
  Examine health, safety, and environmental issues related to an industry/organization.
Addressing Elements of Student Life
  Identify the purposes and goals of the student organization.
  Explain the benefits and responsibilities of membership in the student organization as a student and in professional/civic organizations as an adult.
  Demonstrate leadership skills through participation in student organization activities, such as meetings, programs, and projects.
  Identify Internet safety issues and procedures for complying with acceptable use standards.
Exploring Work-Based Learning
  Identify the types of work-based learning (WBL) opportunities.
  (Optional) Reflect on lessons learned during the WBL experience.
  Explore career opportunities related to the WBL experience.
  (Optional) Participate in a WBL experience, when appropriate.
Functioning as a Member of the Mental Healthcare Team
  Explain the evolution of mental health care delivery.
  Describe cultural interpretations of mental health.
  Differentiate among the types of mental health facilities.
  Describe the roles and responsibilities of each member of the outpatient and inpatient mental healthcare team.
  Identify roles and limitations of assistive personnel in the mental healthcare field.
  Explain the necessary qualifications for success as a mental healthcare professional.
Understanding Mental Illness
  Differentiate between mental health and mental illness.
  Explain the developmental theories of mental health.
  Describe modern developmental theories.
  Explain defense mechanisms.
  List mental disorders.
  Identify the major types of neurodevelopmental disorders.
  Identify anxiety disorders.
  Identify bipolar and related disorders.
  Identify psychotic disorders.
  Identify substance use disorders.
  Identify eating disorders.
  Identify personality disorders.
  Identify neurocognitive disorders.
Fulfilling Environmental and Legal Responsibilities
  Explain institutional policies and procedures that affect the assistant in mental health care.
  Explain legal policies affecting the MHT.
  Identify methods of assisting patients in exercising and protecting their rights.
  Explain the importance of infection control.
  Describe the procedures for responding to medical emergencies and mental health crises in the mental healthcare setting.
  Describe the procedures for maintaining patient safety during community activities.
  Assist in conducting rehabilitative group activities.
  Define legal holds and their uses.
Developing Communication and Human Relation Skills
  Demonstrate effective communication with patients, staff, and non-facility personnel.
  Interpret the meaning of nonverbal behavior.
  Facilitate interaction between patients and visitors.
  Identify methods of conflict resolution.
  Explain techniques for managing self-care.
Planning and Administering Care
  Explain the role of the MHT in patient care.
  Observe patient progress.
  Support physical and emotional care in accordance with the patient’s individual treatment plan.
  Record patient’s physical and behavioral status.
  Identify behavior that signals an impending crisis.
  Explain the assault cycle.
  Explain effective responses to assaultive behaviors.
  Differentiate among seclusion, restraint, and de-escalation techniques.
Assisting Patients with Rehabilitation
  Identify patient daily activities and the role of the MHT in these activities.
  Assist with recreational activities.
  Escort the patient to and from activities.
  Identify measures for responding when a patient is missing.
  Explain how to assist a patient with money management.
  Assist a student patient with school activities.
Describing the Opioid Crisis
  Describe the history and current state of the opioid crisis in the United States.
  Describe the history and current state of the opioid crisis in Virginia.
  Define the pharmacological components and common uses of opioids.
Examining the Key Factors of Drug Addiction
  Examine the science of addiction.
  Explain prevention and early intervention strategies.
  Identify addiction and its behavioral elements, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
  Describe the treatment models of addiction therapy.
  Describe the medication management antidote used to prevent fatal opioid overdoses.
Understanding Pain Management Protocols
  Explain the science of physiological and mental pain.
  Describe the diagnostic tools used in developing pain management plans.
  Describe pain treatment options available to various populations of patients.
  Describe the effects of opioid dependency on the human body systems.
  Explain the mechanism and physical effects of opioids on the human body.
  Explain the use of opioids in practice settings, the role of opioids in pain management, and risk factors associated with the use of the medication.
  Describe the withdrawal and tapering side effects of opioid use.
  Describe storage and disposal options for opioids.
  Explain community resources for education about opioid use.
Working with Patients and Caregivers
  Describe key communication topics involving opioids for patients.
  Describe communication topics for caregivers and family members.
Opioid Abuse Prevention Education
  Opioid Abuse Prevention Education PPT.pdf
  Opioid Resources for Teachers
ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION
  8332_Student Competency Record_2024.xlsx
  8332 Printable Version with Standards Correlations (with HOSA)
  Acknowledgments and Copyright Information