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Mental Health Assistant Job Description

What does a Mental Health Assistant do?

A Mental Health Assistant typically provides support and assistance to mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists or psychologists, in caring for patients with mental health issues. They may assist with therapy sessions, monitor patients’ conditions, document progress notes, administer medication under the supervision of a licensed professional, and provide emotional support to patients and their families. In addition to their clinical work, Mental Health Assistants may also provide administrative support, such as scheduling appointments and maintaining patient records. Overall, a Mental Health Assistant plays a vital role in helping individuals with mental health challenges navigate their journey towards improved wellbeing.

Our Mental Health Assistant job description includes the Mental Health Assistant responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Mental Health Assistant Example


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If you need an example job description for a Mental Health Assistant download the one below, alternatively we have many other Healthcare job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Mental Health Assistant do?

A Mental Health Assistant is responsible for providing support to people with mental health needs, helping them to manage their condition and improve their quality of life. This may involve providing emotional support, helping clients to access treatment services, or providing education and advice on mental health issues. The Mental Health Assistant will also work closely with other professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers, to ensure the best outcomes for clients. This role requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as an understanding of mental health needs and the ability to provide a safe and supportive environment.

Mental Health Assistant Role Purpose

The main purpose of a Mental Health Assistant is to provide support to individuals with mental health needs, helping them to manage their illness and improve their quality of life. This support may include providing emotional support and assisting with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as encouraging physical activity, healthy eating and social activities. In addition, a Mental Health Assistant may administer and monitor medication, help to develop and review care plans, provide crisis intervention and liaise with other health and social care professionals. They may also act as an advocate for the individual, representing their needs and concerns to other organisations.

Mental Health Assistant Role

A Mental Health Assistant works to support individuals who experience mental health conditions. They provide emotional and physical support, help with practical tasks, and enable access to appropriate treatments. The role involves working with clients in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics and residential homes. They may also provide support to families and carers.

Mental Health Assistant Duties

  • Provide emotional and practical support to people with mental health issues
  • Listen to and discuss the concerns of clients in a non-judgemental and compassionate way
  • Assist clients with activities such as meal preparation, shopping, cleaning and budgeting
  • Help clients to access local services and activities in their local community
  • Organise and attend meetings with other professionals such as GPs, nurses and social workers
  • Encourage clients to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing
  • Maintain client records and write progress reports

Mental Health Assistant Requirements

  • Knowledge and understanding of mental health issues
  • Ability to work with clients in a caring, empathetic and understanding manner
  • Ability to work flexibly and independently
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • Good communication and organisational skills

Mental Health Assistant Skills

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to build rapport with clients
  • Ability to work effectively in a team
  • Ability to remain calm under pressure
  • Knowledge of mental health issues
  • Ability to deal with difficult situations
  • Knowledge of appropriate legislation and regulations
  • Ability to follow instructions and procedures

Mental Health Assistant Personal Traits

  • Empathetic
  • Understanding
  • Respectful
  • Organised
  • Patient

How to write a Mental Health Assistant Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Mental Health Assistant Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Mental Health Assistant Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Mental Health Assistant Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Mental Health Assistant

Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV

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