Program Description
This program provides education and training for individuals who want to work with growing populations of the elderly, people with disabilities, substance abusers and those in need of job training. Social and human service assistants help social workers, health care workers and other professionals provide services to people, asses clients needs, investigate their eligibility for benefits and services and help to obtain them.
Coursework includes topics such as:
- Effective communication in small groups
- Developing individualized programs
- Strategies in case management
- Preventing, managing and defusing crises situations
- Issues for children and adolescents
- Interview techniques and counseling methods
Job Outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychiatric Technicians and Aides, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/psychiatric-technicians-and-aides.htm
Program Details
Our certificate program trains students generally in all areas of inpatient mental health and typically lasts 3 months. Students will acquire a basic background in counseling, and the technical skills needed to provide those in need with daily living assistance. They will also become aware of existing human service organizations. Students learn to plan programs, assess patients, and implement strategies. Because documentation is also an important part of the practice of mental health assistance, those interested often study report formatting, communication, and mental health terminology.
Length: 176 Clock Hours; 12 Instructional Weeks
Credential Awarded: Certificate
Mode of Delivery: Residential
An externship course is included in this program to provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to real-life situations in healthcare setting. Students are required to complete the required externship hours and other related learning activities prior to graduation.
Graduates are eligible to take AMCA’s Mental Health Technician Certification (MHTC) exam.
Norcross Institute offers a variety of personalized career services to current students and graduates. We work directly with employers to help provide exposure to our highly qualified students and graduates. Our goal is to align current students and graduates with employers and open positions that match their qualifications through our Employer Partnership Program.
We offer a range of job search strategies such as:
- Interview tips & techniques
- Information about career fields and employment outlook
- Resumé and cover letter assistance
- Individual career coaching targeted specifically to the student and his or her goals
- Assist graduates in job placement with various hospitals
We also offer help on how to utilize various online employment websites for students and graduates, including E-Hire, which can send students job leads within a 50-mile radius of their zip code, specific to their certification. Although NIAH is devoted to helping students in job placement, the school cannot guarantee jobs to graduates upon program completion or upon graduation.