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Behavioral Health Associate Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Responsibilities Mental Health Associate Manager Opportunity At Arbour Hospital - Jamaica Plain ... Document and communicate unusual or erratic changes in client behaviors * Assist with patient ...

Pembroke Hospital is a 120-bed acute care, inpatient behavioral health facility located south of ... The Mental Health Associate is a vital part of Pembroke Hospital's treatment team. This is a ...

Pembroke Hospital is a 120-bed acute care, inpatient behavioral health facility located south of ... The Mental Health Associate is a vital part of Pembroke Hospital's treatment team. This is a ...

Pembroke Hospital is a 120-bed acute care, inpatient behavioral health facility located south of ... The Mental Health Associate is a vital part of Pembroke Hospital's treatment team. This is a ...

Pembroke Hospital is a 120-bed acute care, inpatient behavioral health facility located south of ... The Mental Health Associate is a vital part of Pembroke Hospital's treatment team. This is a ...

Responsibilities Pembroke Hospital is a 120-bed acute care, inpatient behavioral health facility ... The Mental Health Associate is a vital part of Pembroke Hospital's treatment team. This is a ...

Responsibilities Pembroke Hospital is a 120-bed acute care, inpatient behavioral health facility ... The Mental Health Associate is a vital part of Pembroke Hospital's treatment team. This is a ...

Responsibilities Pembroke Hospital is a 120-bed acute care, inpatient behavioral health facility ... The Mental Health Associate is a vital part of Pembroke Hospital's treatment team. This is a ...

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Behavioral Health Associate information

See Boston, MA salary details

$14

$28

$43

How much do behavioral health associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for behavioral health associate in Boston, MA is $28.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.39 and $35.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do you need a degree to be a behavioral health associate?

A behavioral health associate typically does not need a college degree, but relevant certifications or training in mental health or social services are often required. Employers may prefer candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent and some experience working with clients or in healthcare settings.

What can I do with an associate's degree in behavioral health?

A behavioral health associate with an associate's degree can work in settings such as mental health clinics, hospitals, or community agencies, providing support and assisting with patient care. This role often involves skills in communication, documentation, and basic counseling, and may require certification or supervision depending on the state or organization.

What are some common challenges Behavioral Health Associates face during their shifts, and how can they effectively manage them?

Behavioral Health Associates often encounter challenging situations such as managing patients in crisis, de-escalating tense interactions, and maintaining safety in a dynamic environment. It is vital to stay calm under pressure, use therapeutic communication techniques, and follow established protocols to ensure both patient and staff safety. Regular team debriefings, ongoing training, and support from colleagues and supervisors also help associates process difficult experiences and maintain their own well-being.

What are the duties of a behavioral health associate?

A behavioral health associate provides support to individuals with mental health or substance use disorders by assisting with daily activities, monitoring client progress, and implementing treatment plans under supervision. They often document client behavior, facilitate group or individual sessions, and ensure a safe environment, requiring good communication skills and relevant certifications. The role typically involves working in healthcare or community settings and may require adherence to confidentiality and safety protocols.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Behavioral Health Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Behavioral Health Associate, you need a background in psychology or a related field, knowledge of mental health disorders, and often a relevant certification such as Certified Behavioral Health Technician (CBHT). Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR), crisis intervention techniques, and de-escalation tools is typically required. Compassion, patience, and strong interpersonal communication skills help you effectively support patients and collaborate with healthcare teams. These skills ensure the safety, well-being, and recovery of patients in behavioral health settings.

What are Behavioral Health Associates?

Behavioral Health Associates are professionals who support individuals experiencing mental health or substance use challenges. They typically work in hospitals, residential treatment centers, or outpatient facilities, helping patients with daily activities, monitoring their well-being, and assisting with therapeutic interventions under the supervision of licensed clinicians. Their role is crucial in creating a safe and supportive environment, encouraging patients’ participation in treatment, and communicating observations to the healthcare team. Behavioral Health Associates may also help with crisis intervention and de-escalation, ensuring that patients receive compassionate and effective care.

What is the highest paying job in behavioral health?

The highest paying roles in behavioral health often include clinical directors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and licensed psychologists, especially those with specialized certifications and extensive experience. These positions typically require advanced degrees, licensure, and leadership responsibilities, and they can offer salaries significantly higher than entry-level positions like behavioral health associates.
What are the most commonly searched types of Behavioral Health jobs in Boston, MA? The most popular types of Behavioral Health jobs in Boston, MA are:
What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Behavioral Health Associate jobs? Cities near Boston, MA with the most Behavioral Health Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Behavioral Health Associate job openings in Boston, MA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% As Needed, 50% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $58,941 per year, or $28.3 per hour.

Behavioral Health Associate -days

Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital

Malden, MA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Overview

Behavioral Health Associate (BHA) - Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital

This is a part time day shift position, 7-3:30pm, 3 weekdays plus every other weekend.

Our BHAs are responsible for providing personal care services to patients at the facility under the direction of clinical or nursing leadership. Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

Acadia Healthcare is a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services across the United States. Acadia operates a growing network of 250 plus behavioral healthcare facilities with approximately 11,100 beds in 39 states and Puerto Rico. With more than 23,000 employees serving approximately 75,000 patients daily, Acadia is the largest stand-alone behavioral health company in the U.S.

Acadia Healthcare's purpose is to Lead Care With Light and our mission is to be a world-class organization that sets the standard for excellence in the treatment of mental health and addiction concerns. We strive to maintain our standing as a thought leader in the behavioral healthcare industry, providing treatment that is synonymous with compassion and innovation.

Tufts Medicine, a leading integrated academic health system in Massachusetts, and Acadia Healthcare, the largest standalone provider of behavioral health services in the U.S., have partnered to create the Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital, a state-of-the-art, 144-bed facility in Malden, Massachusetts. Slated to open in February 2026, this hospital is designed to address the growing need for high-quality behavioral health services in the region.

The Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital will serve as a center of excellence, offering inpatient and intensive outpatient programs for patients of all ages. Additionally, it will function as a teaching hospital, providing a vital training site for future behavioral health professionals, including students and residents from the Tufts University School of Medicine. This initiative aims to address the regional shortage of behavioral health clinicians while ensuring a continuum of care for patients and their families.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Demonstrate a sense of urgency related to the importance of patient safety and provide excellent customer services. 
  • Ensure the well-being of patients and provide a positive, supportive and structured environment. 
  • Responsible for conducting safety checks and ensuring that supervision is conducted at 15 minute intervals, as noted in special precautions, or in accordance with individualized supervision guidelines as needed.  
  • Document timely, accurate and appropriate clinical information in patient's medical record.  
  • Assist in providing a safe, secure and comfortable environment for patients, significant others and staff. 
  • Interact routinely with patients, observe behaviors and communicate significant observations to nursing staff. 
  • May oversee or assist patients with activities of daily living, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration and changing bed linens.  
  • May obtain patient's vital signs, height and weight as assigned and document in patient record.  
  • Facilitate patient educational-rehabilitative groups which cover a variety of topics including social skills, coping skills, anger management and independent living skills. 
  • Engage patients in activities and interactions designed to encourage achievement of treatment goals.  
  • Complete and maintain required documentation.  Assist with follow-up and paperwork as required on incidents and events that may take place in the facility.  
  • May provide transportation for patient or coordinate transportation with appropriate staff member. 
  • Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority. 

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Six months or more experience working with the specific population of the facility preferred.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).

First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.

We are committed to providing equal  employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual's characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.

TUFBH

#LI-TMBHH

Employment Type: OTHER