1. Overview of the Behavioral Health Paraprofessional Training Program
Welcome to the Behavioral Health Paraprofessional Training Program at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. This program manual is intended to orient you to the program, clarify expectations, and support your success as a student and emerging behavioral health professional.
Behavioral health paraprofessionals play a vital role in supporting individuals, families, and communities across mental health, substance use, and integrated care settings. Paraprofessionals often serve as consistent points of contact, provide supportive services, assist with care coordination, and contribute to safe, compassionate, and recovery-oriented environments. This program is designed to help you develop the knowledge, skills, and professional habits needed to function effectively in these roles.
Many students entering this program are new to healthcare education or clinical environments. This program manual is written with that in mind. It is meant to be clear, supportive, and practical, while also introducing you to the standards and responsibilities of a professional training program.
This program manual is intended to serve as a practical guide throughout your participation in the Behavioral Health Paraprofessional Training Program. Students are encouraged to review it carefully at the beginning of the program and refer back to it regularly throughout the academic year. The program manual supplements, but does not replace, Institute policies, the Academic Catalog, School policies, or course syllabi.
Students are expected to follow all Institute and School policies related to academic integrity, professionalism, accessibility, and student conduct. When program-specific guidance is not addressed in this program manual, Institute policies apply.
The program reserves the right to update policies and procedures to remain aligned with Institute standards, accreditation expectations, and grant requirements. Students will be informed of substantive changes.