Mental Therapy Aide - 26-11792

Mental Therapy Aide

Location - Syracuse, NY

Duration - 18 Weeks

Position Overview

The Mental Therapy Aide provides direct and indirect patient care under the supervision of nursing staff. This role supports the physical, emotional, behavioral, and therapeutic needs of psychiatric patients while maintaining a safe, structured, and supportive environment.

The ideal candidate will have recent experience working with psychiatric patients and strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Schedule

• Work Schedule: 4 shifts per week
• Two 12-hour shifts: 7:00 AM–7:30 PM
• Two 8-hour shifts: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
• Weekend Requirement: Every weekend required
• Start Day: Friday
• Pay Rate: $30–$32/hour
• Employees may occasionally be required to remain beyond scheduled shift times to provide patient coverage and relief when staffing levels are insufficient.

Qualifications

• Recent experience working with psychiatric patients within the last 2 years preferred.
• Experience in behavioral health or psychiatric care preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology.
• Ability to work effectively in a challenging behavioral health environment.
• Ability to remain calm and professional during patient crises.
• Must successfully complete all required pre-employment health clearance requirements.
• Ability to follow nursing direction, safety procedures, and behavioral health protocols.

Key Responsibilities Patient Care and Clinical Support

• Provide direct and indirect patient care under nursing supervision.
• Obtain, monitor, and accurately document patient vital signs.
• Complete patient admission documentation and related records.
• Assist healthcare staff with appropriate physical examinations.
• Collect, label, and handle patient specimens according to established procedures.
• Monitor and document patient intake and output.
• Safely transport patients as required.
• Assist patients with hygiene and activities of daily living.
• Attend to patient needs and provide appropriate assistance.

Psychiatric and Therapeutic Support

• Develop therapeutic relationships with patients under nursing supervision.
• Interact therapeutically with patients during structured activities.
• Orient new patients to unit regulations, routines, and expectations.
• Communicate patient observations and clinical information to nursing staff accurately and promptly.
• Support appropriate interventions during patient crisis situations.
• Apply age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate clinical and psychological interventions under supervision.
• Maintain a calm, structured, and supportive environment for psychiatric patients.

Safety and Unit Operations

• Perform required patient safety checks throughout the assigned shift.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and therapeutic patient environment.
• Follow all facility policies, procedures, safety standards, and behavioral health protocols.
• Assist with managing challenging behaviors according to established procedures.
• Support nursing staff during patient care activities and unit operations.

Patient Population

The Mental Therapy Aide may work with patients experiencing:

• Developmental disabilities
• High levels of aggression
• Self-injurious behaviors
• Property destruction behaviors
• Limited or no verbal communication
• Complex behavioral and psychiatric needs

Required Skills

• Mental Therapy Aide / Psychiatric Technician experience
• Behavioral Health or Psychiatric Patient Care
• Direct Patient Care
• Vital Signs
• Patient Admission Documentation
• Medical Terminology
• Specimen Collection
• Intake and Output Monitoring
• Patient Transport
• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
• Therapeutic Communication
• Crisis Intervention
• Behavioral Management
• Patient Safety Checks
• Developmentally Appropriate Care
• Clinical Documentation
• Strong Verbal and Written Communication
• Organizational and Interpersonal Skills
• Ability to Work Under Nursing Supervision