Behavioral Health Assoc III (Lead) - Acute
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the pay range, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Behavioral Health Assoc III (Lead) - Acute | The Pavilion at Williamsburg Place | Williamsburg, Virginia
About the Job
PURPOSE STATEMENT:
The Lead Behavioral Health Associate, working under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and an active part of the treatment team, is responsible for providing continuous patient care, supervision, interaction, safety and role modeling to patients.
Monitors and reports patient behaviors, assists in daily care, crisis situations, and medical emergencies as needed. Assists in maintaining medical records, BHA assignments, clerical support, and patient data collection. Provides guidance, mentoring and training for BHAs.
Roles and Responsibilities
Ensures the wellbeing of patients and provides a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment, under direction of charge nurse or supervisor. Maintains a constant awareness and supervision of patients.
Oversees or assists patients with activities of daily living, such as toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration and changing bed linens.
Conducts safety checks, ensuring that supervision is conducted at intervals in accordance with individualized supervision guidelines.
- Checks patients for contraband and manages the patient’s valuables and belongings.
- Interacts routinely with patients, observes behaviors and communicates significant observations to supervisor.
- Engages with patient in activities and interactions designed to encourage achievement of treatment goals.
Facilitates patient educational-rehabilitative groups which cover a variety of topics including social skills, coping skills and independent living skills.
Takes and records vital signs properly and communicates significant changes in patient’s condition to the charge nurse.
Charts in patient records timely, accurately, and appropriately.
Applies de-escalation techniques to help manage patient’s emotions, behavior and participation in treatment and assists with seclusion and restraints when necessary.
Assists with unit cleaning, organization of new admits charts, discharge process, filing, etc. Initiates patient/employee incident reports.
Provides transfer or transportation for patients or coordinate transportation with appropriate staff members, as required.
Receives report from previous shift to utilize information in planning for shift; gives accurate and thorough report to oncoming shift Lead.
- Helps with admissions and discharges if needed.
- Participates in rehabilitation and treatment programs as well as teaching strategies to promote patient wellness and independence, as needed.
- Ensures that the program schedule is being followed and reports to supervisor variances to program schedule.
- Assists the Charge Nurse with assignments for BHAs, group coverage, charting, breaks, environmental and safety rounds and codes.
- Assists in providing guidance and direction to other BHAs, including mentoring of new staff.
- Performs day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining files and processing paperwork.
- Coordinates and leads the work and activities of others, including scheduling programs and activities.
- Maintains inventory of unit supplies.
Education/Experience/Skill Requirements
High school graduate or equivalent required. Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in human service field from an accredited college or university preferred.
- At least two years’ experience as a BHA required.
- Two or more years’ experience working with the specific population of the facility required.
- Knowledge of common psychiatric disorders and/or dual diagnosis and various treatment modalities of the population served required.
- Exceptional knowledge of and skills in verbal deescalation and crisis intervention.
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.
WORK LOCATION: This position is onsite and is not a remote position.
Supervisory Requirements
This position is an Individual Contributor.
Why The Pavilion at Williamsburg Place? The Pavilion at Williamsburg Place offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Qualified candidates should apply by submitting a resume. The Pavilion at Williamsburg Place is an EOE.
Veterans and military spouses are highly encouraged to apply. Summit BHC is dedicated to serving Veterans with specialized programming at our treatment centers across the country. We recognize and value the unique strengths of the military community in supporting our mission to serve those who have served.
Key Responsibilities
The Lead Behavioral Health Associate provides continuous patient care, supervision, and safety while mentoring other staff members. They assist with daily living activities, facilitate therapeutic groups, and maintain accurate patient records under the supervision of a nurse.
Requirements
Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, with an associate or bachelor degree in a human service field preferred. At least two years of experience as a Behavioral Health Associate and specific experience with the facility's population are required.
Qualifications
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Behavioral Health Career Context
Of the 50 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 82% have no call, 38% require no weekends.
Behavioral Health pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.3% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 4.5 / 10 · above average in behavioral health | ranked against 1,246 Behavioral Health listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | not listed | Behavioral Health median $43k (middle half $33k–$47k)39 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost of living | Virginia index 101.1 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Behavioral Health listings in Virginia | 42 active | 1,661 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 82% no call · 38% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | US healthcare professional listings: 5% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 12% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Behavioral Health listings | 855 in the last 30 days | 543 the 30 days before (+57%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Behavioral Health pay trend | −2.3% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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