The HI-7200: Mental Health Support Specialist program prepares students for a rewarding and in-demand career in mental health care. This program provides a solid foundation in mental health and mental health care, focusing on best practice skills to provide quality care to those served. This program prepares students to work in a variety of mental health care settings and focuses on strong interpersonal communication skills and conflict management to prepare students for multiple areas of mental health care. 

This program prepares students to become Mental Health Technician – Certified (MHTC) by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA).  The fundamental core objectives of this program are to gain knowledge and skills in preparation for the AMCA credentialing exam, discuss conduct and expectations of the allied health professional in a mental health care environment, explain the role of the mental health support staff as members of the mental health team, distinguish intake, crisis care, inpatient care, and discharge duties, apply anatomy/physiology and medical terminology, recognize psychology and substance use terminology, apply psychology and substance use terminology where applicable to psychiatric team communication, demonstrate skills in observation, communication, interpersonal needs, and working well under stress, discuss workplace safety, infection control, handwashing, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), maintain client confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA and HITECH privacy and security laws, and demonstrate understanding of Electronic Health Record functionality and documentation. 

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to earn the Mental Health Technician-Certified (MHTC) certification from the American Medical Certification Association.