Patient Care Technician
HI 7200A

Mental Health Support Specialist

Apprenticeship Program

NOTE: This program requires active employer participation, and thus is not available to all who seek it.

Learn the skills to assist psychiatrists, therapists and mental health clients in their care of mental health and substance use disorders.

51  Weeks
Program Length
Certification
$40,760
Avg. Starting Salary*
AMCA
Issuing Authority

This program is NOT available to residents in the following states: AR, ND, NV, OK, PA, RI, SC, WI

Interested in Creating an Apprenticeship Program

As a registered apprenticeship intermediary with the Department of Labor, we handle the heavy lifting, certification training and apprenticeship paperwork.

Mental Health Support Specialist Online Training

Healthcare Organization Costs

Employers can pay for the training, use tuition reimbursement funds, or utilize apprenticeship government funding to possibly cover both the training cost and wages.

Monthly Payment Options Starting At $315 Grants Available to Help With

Apprentice participants are promoted to full employees and regular pay rates when they complete their programs.

Training Costs $3,500 At Time of Student Enrollment

MedCerts handles all intermediary responsibilities, paperwork and administrative tasks so the organization doesn't have to.

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The pricing listed above for a monthly payment plan is an estimate for the cost of an 12-month payment plan including down payment. Final pricing is given at time of purchase and may vary from both pricing examples above.

*Students in Maryland are not eligible for MedCerts payment plans but may be eligible for other tuition options. Speak to an Education Consultant for further information.

Questions on Apprenticeship?

As a registered DoL intermediary, we're ready to answer any and all questions you have.

What does a Mental Health Support Specialist Do?

Mental health support staff have the opportunity to interact with clients on a day-to-day basis. During the day, mental health support specialists participate in client intake, crisis care and inpatient care, including assistance with clinical skills, like taking vital signs, as well as some activities of daily living, or ADLs. They support and assist the client through all phases of treatment, helping to provide a physically safe and therapeutic environment, which may include encouraging the client to participate in group therapy. Mental health support specialists also support the client by communicating observations and concerns to the client's mental health care team. Accurate documentation of both clinical duties and observations are a key responsibility of the mental health support specialist.

139,600
Entry Level Jobs in the US
Mental Health Support Specialists will see available jobs grow 9% over the next ten years.
All available job and salary information is from Burning Glass Labor Insights and is updated annually to reflect industry changes.

What You’ll Learn
HI 7200A
Mental Health Support Specialist

The Mental Health Support Specialist Apprenticeship program prepares students for a rewarding and in-demand career in mental health care. In this profession, mental health support specialists assist licensed mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and therapists, in the comprehensive care of psychiatric patients.

This program prepares students to become Mental Health Technician Certified (MHTC) by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA). Students who earn the AMCA designation have demonstrated the knowledge of processes and procedures in mental health care, pharmacology, medical office and patient care skills, including practice settings, and a broad understanding of psychological development, including mental health disorders.

The primary course in this program is H1-7013: Fundamentals of Mental Health Care, this highly interactive course immerses students into the world of a Mental Health Support Specialist through virtual scenario-based learning exercises and brings three-dimensional clinical skills demonstrations right to the learner's desktop.

Because graduates will be working in a healthcare facility, it’s imperative they be able to speak and understand the language of medicine and have a fundamental understanding of basic human anatomy and physiology. Hl-1014: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology is included to lay this important foundation.

Today's top job candidates not only need to be prepared to pass a certification exam but must also be equipped with soft skills and knowledge that allow for success on the job in any environment. This program contains training in professionalism designed with input from employers and professionals in the field of allied health. PS-1011: Professionalism in Allied Health equips students with essential soft skills that are in demand and expected by employers in a competitive job market.

Payment for the Mental Health Technician Certification (MHTC) exam is provided by MedCerts. The Registered Apprenticeship program is comprised of MedCerts online training programs as well as 2000 hours of on-the-job training with a sponsoring employer. MedCerts Apprenticeship programs combine class training and “on-the-job training” to provide individuals the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned with an employer to quickly become a strong contributor in the workplace.


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  1. Distinguish intake, crisis care, inpatient care and discharge duties
  2. Recognize psychology and substance use terminology and apply that knowledge where applicable to psychiatric team communication
  3. Demonstrate skills in observation, communication, interpersonal needs and working well under stress
  4. Maintain client confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA and HITECH privacy and security laws
  5. Demonstrate understanding of Electronic HeaIth Record (EHR) functionality and documentation
MHS

Enrollment Requirements

  1. High School Diploma or GED
  2. Web browser with internet connection
  3. Course registration & payment

MedCerts-Covered Materials*

  1. Expert-led video based training
  2. Introduction to Anatomy and Medical Terminology: A Course Companion (PDF)
  3. eBook: Foundations of Mental Health Care 8E
  4. Competency assessments
  5. National Certification exam fee

Student Services

  1. Dedicated Student Success Advisors
  2. Tailored support based on performance & behavior
  3. Exam preparation process
  4. 1 yr. post-program access to Career Center & Career Coaches

*The cost of all materials needed for this program are covered by MedCerts. They are not included in the tuition costs and the student is not liable for any costs or fees related to the above materials.

Required Courses
PS 1011A

Professionalism in Allied Health

32 hours
Length
4 Weeks
Duration

This course will benefit anyone considering a career in allied health, as well as those already working in the field. Allied Health Professionals must be committed to the key attributes of professionalism and strive to reflect this within the delivery of patient-centered safe and effective care. “Professionalism” is a broad term that reflects many different skills and abilities. For an individual to exhibit professionalism, he/she must be armed with specific skills and abilities that do not always show up within certification requirements, or even within a career training curriculum. Soft skills are hard to measure and are typically less well-defined than hard skills. However, soft skills are what set many job candidates apart. Professionalism is not just what one knows, it is how one does their job, how one behaves and how one comes across as they interact with others.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with soft skills training that will provide the tools needed to demonstrate a higher level of professionalism on the job. Key components of the course focus on patient interaction, proper office behavior, medical ethics, diversity and cultural bias, emotional strength, professional appearance and communication. The course maintains a focus on the key attributes that are true markers of professionalism.

This course was created with input from healthcare professionals working in the field, healthcare employers that hire our graduates, professional educators and even former MedCerts students. The end result is a collection of modules that touch on the soft skills that are TRULY important in the real world of allied healthcare. In this course, students are engaged through scenario-based learning that allows for real interaction with virtual co-workers and patients. Additionally, game-based activities keep students engaged and entertained throughout their learning journey.

    • Gain an understanding of the expectations of an allied healthcare professional in the workplace
    • Develop and exercise emotional intelligence, self-management and interpersonal skills
    • Build and improve internal and external communication skills with all exchanges
    • Enhance the patient care experience with successful interactions and patient satisfaction
    • Maintain solution-oriented conversations, manage conflict and build self-confidence
HI 1014A

Apprenticeship Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology

96 hours
Length
23 Weeks
Duration

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the language of medicine, through the study of prefixes, suffixes, root words, abbreviation, and pronunciation of words. The curriculum also includes an anatomy and physiology app that enables students to explore, visualize, interact, and experience the anatomy of the human body in 3D and augmented reality (AR). Students will examine the organization of the integumentary, musculoskeletal, hematic, lymphatic and immune, and cardiovascular systems in the human body. They will become familiar with the medical terms that relate to the respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, reproductive, and excretory systems. Students will also examine terms related to the sensory organs, with a concentration on the organs for hearing, sight, and smell. This immersive experience will trigger thought processes and enhance learning outcomes in their Anatomy and Physiology program. The app has about 50 simulations across different topics.

    • Recognize the structure and function of the 11 body systems and their organs
    • Understand the medical language that is used to describe those systems
    • Analyze and understand medical terms by breaking down their word components
    • Appreciate the major diseases and conditions related to the human body
    • Apply your knowledge within the healthcare setting
HI 7013A

Apprenticeship Fundamentals of Mental Health Care - 24 Weeks

96 hours
Length
24 Weeks
Duration

The course provides the foundational knowledge required of a clinical allied healthcare professional, as well as those working with individuals with psychiatric illness and/or intellectual disabilities. It has been designed to prepare students to achieve the status of Mental Health Technician - Certified.

Emphasis is placed on the intake process, crisis care, inpatient care and discharge planning duties and related knowledge. This course includes topics related to mental health disorders, substance use disorders, behavioral crisis management, ethical behavior, HIPAA compliance, anatomy and physiology, infection control, use of personal protective equipment, comprehensive electronic health records and effective communication. It also addresses psychiatric pharmacology, aspects of medical law related to the psychiatric healthcare setting, support of the client through all phases of treatment, and maintaining client safety throughout the client's time in treatment

In this course, students are exposed to a variety of eLearning elements that allow hands-on interaction with the screen for an engaging education. In addition to video-based instruction that provides foundational knowledge, a variety of other learning methods are utilized for engagement, entertainment, and inspiration throughout training. These include interactive skill activities, game-based learning, an immersive environment for critical thinking skills, and hands-on simulations providing the student opportunities to interact within the mental health setting while assisting the psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, and therapists, all of which are key skills for the Mental Health Support Specialist

    Apply confidentiality and adhere to laws, regulations, and standards set forth by HIPAA and recognize ethical standards, ethical practice, and legal requirements in the mental health field

    Compare the early years of mental healthcare to modern day practice

    List traits and characteristics of psychological development from childhood to adulthood

    Identify the theoretical approaches and applications to mental health care

    Discuss impaired mental health and behavioral signs and symptoms

    Differentiate improper and proper protocols related to mental health care

    Name common mental health care medications, routes of administration, and effects on clients

    Demonstrate knowledge of vital signs, assisting with examinations, and accurate charting

    Describe first aid or CPR response to common emergency situations

Code Course Duration
PS 1011A 4 Weeks
HI 1014A 23 Weeks
HI 7013A 24 Weeks
Total Program Duration 51 Weeks

Mental Health Support Specialist

Job Opportunities

Psychiatric Technician

$37,380 – $58,880*
Estimated Salary

Behavioral Health Aide/Technician

$44,150 – $82,710*
Estimated Salary

Mental Health Specialist

$37,160 – $52,050*
Estimated Salary

Disclaimers

  1. This program requires active employer participation, and thus is not available to all who seek it.
  2. This program is NOT available to residents of the following states: Arkansas, North Dakota, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Wisconsin