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Army Mental Health Specialists (MOS 68X) work under the supervision of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers or psychiatric nurses.  It is an entry-level position open to women, enlisted personnel, active duty personnel, and to those in the Army Reserve.

Army Mental Health Specialist

Army Mental Health Specialists assist with the managed care and treatment of in-patient and outpatient mental health issues and problems, during peacetime or in the field, in the US or in the world.  Army mental health specialists collect and record psychosocial and physical data, and treat and counsel military patients with behavioral, personal, and mental health issues, including addictions and psychological problems.

A number of mental health specialists’ positions are available in the military, varying in scope and responsibility. There are four skill levels, including:

What Type of Positions Can an Army Mental Health Specialist Hold?

Army mental health specialists’ actively treat and prevent mental health crises in enlisted personnel. Duties include administering patient interviews and psychological tests, providing counseling, and ensuring a patient’s physical needs are met.

Army Mental Health Specialists are trained to work in a variety of related fields, including:

They work on base or in the field; in the US and around the world, during peacetime or during conflict.

Learn more abouthow to become an army mental health specialist.

Typical Employment Settings for an Army Mental Health Specialist

Army Mental Health Specialists work in a variety of sectors, including:

The Army Medical Service Corps also offers mental health specialists significant opportunities to expand into areas beyond traditional clinical roles, including teaching, research, and administration.

Additional opportunities and areas for employment, include:

Ways for Army Mental Health Specialist to Increase Desirability as a Job Candidate

Below Is the Educational Path for an Army Mental Health Specialist:

Army Mental Health Specialists must graduate from high school, obtain a 101 or higher skilled technical score on theASVAB(a multiple-aptitude test that measures abilities and aids in predicting future academic and occupational success in the military). According toGoArmy.com, ideal applicants have knowledge and coursework in psychology, chemistry, general science, biology, and algebra.  Coursework and skills will include:

Job training for a Mental Health Specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 20 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, which includes in-patient care.  In basic training, an individual will learn soldiering skills, and 20 weeks of advanced Individual training, which includes practice in in-patient care. Training length varies depending on specialty.

Some of the skills an aspiring mental health specialist will learn are:

In addition, advanced training for mental health specialist takes place for all branches of the military at the consolidatedMedical Education and Training Campus (METC)–the METC course combines supervised clinical practice and classroom coursework. Students from learn about " psychopathological disorders, psychological testing, communication techniques, human development, consultation, interviewing, psychiatric behavioral interventions, and Combat Operational Stress Control (COSC).

Formal training (completion of MOS 91B and 91X course conducted under the auspices of the AHS) is mandatory.

While an enlisted member of the Army, mental health specialists often receive:

Certifications

Army Credentialing Opportunities OnLine (COOL)lists professional certificates that 68X’s can qualify for based on education, examinations, and experience, including:

Army COOL does not specify whether they’ll provide assistance paying examination fees, and the only certification eligible for reimbursement under the GI Bill is National Certified Counselor.

Characteristics Employers Tend to Look for in an Army Mental Health Specialist

In order to succeed as a mental health specialist in the Army, an individual must have the following characteristics, including:

Ways for an Army Mental Health Specialist to Increase His/Her Salary

Further Opportunities

Army Mental Health Specialist Continuing Education (CE) Sources

Typical requirements include the following:

If the credentialing agency states military experience and training are not recognized, an individual can determine if they can conduct an individual assessment of military training and experience, and what is needed to complete and initiate the assessment.

After earning a credential, it is important to keep the credential active. Check with the credentialing agency regarding the following items:

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