It’s impossible to work as an allied healthcare professional without treating people dealing with mental health issues. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 23.1% of the U.S. adult population suffers from a mental illness and those percentages only go up when patients are also dealing with physical problems.
For example, according to the CDC, people with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression, while among people with mental disorders, 50.6% also have a chronic medical disorder.
To help allied healthcare professionals better support, communicate with and understand patients with mental health challenges, MedCerts has launched the Fundamentals of Mental Health Care course. Led by experts in mental health, this new standalone eLearning curriculum takes 96 hours and 6 weeks to complete online. It covers essential concepts and actionable techniques that can be applied in day-to-day interactions with patients.
Both entry-level career seekers and seasoned allied healthcare workers will benefit from gaining a better understanding of the psychological and emotional complexities of mental health conditions, and how to navigate sensitive family and community dynamics. The course includes topics related to mental health disorders, substance use disorders, behavioral crisis management, ethical behavior, anatomy and physiology, infection control, use of personal protective equipment, comprehensive electronic health records and effective communication.
Through interactive skill activities and game-based learning the course also addresses crisis care, 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.
The curriculum for the Fundamentals of Mental Health Care course includes the following core objectives, giving learners a richer understanding of how to address the mental health needs of patients:
- Apply confidentiality and adhere to laws, regulations and standards set forth by HIPAA
- Recognize ethical standards, ethical practice and legal requirements in the mental health field
- Define practice settings, skills and responsibilities related to mental health care
- 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
The Fundamentals of Mental Health Care course costs $1,000. It is a stackable course for students who subsequently want to take the MedCerts Mental Health Support Specialist program or the MedCerts Mental Health Support Professional program. Both are training programs for Mental Health Technician Certification, offered through the American Medical Certification Association.
As supplemental learning, the Fundamentals of Mental Health Care course is recommended for students who have taken the following MedCerts programs, with it being especially valuable for Certified Nursing Assistants.
| Add the Fundamentals of Mental Health Care Course to the Following MedCerts Programs | |||
| NA-701 | Certified Nursing Assistant (B2B Only) | HI-8000 | Health Unit Coordinator |
| HI-1000 | Medical Front Office Assistant and Administration Specialist | HI-9000 | Allied Healthcare Professional |
| HI-1200 | Medical Front Office Administration Specialist | HI-9500 | Healthcare Administrative Professional |
| HI-3000 | Medical Front Office and Electronic Health Records | HI-9600 | Clinical Medical Specialist |
| HI-6000 | Medical Assistant | HI-9700 | Clinical Medical Professional |
| HI-7000 | Patient Care Technician | HI-9800 | Clinical Medical Assistant and Medical Scribe Professional |
Enhance Your Team’s Mental Health Care Training
Contact us today at [email protected] to learn how our Fundamentals of Mental Health Care course can equip your team with the knowledge and skills needed to support patients’ mental well-being. Whether you’re upskilling staff or expanding academic programs, we’re here to help you build a more compassionate, informed and effective healthcare workforce.
For more information on the Fundamentals of Mental Health Care Course click here
