Mental Health Assistant

Coler is an 815 bed, leading nursing facility dedicated to providing quality medical, sub-acute, rehabilitative and long-term specialty services. We are committed to serving New York City, providing services to individuals requiring geriatric, memory care and rehabilitation services.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Purpose of Position: Under the direct supervision of an appropriate professional staff, and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, provides supportive clinical services to psychiatric residents in a Behavioral Health setting. Acts in compliance with the health care system and all relevant regulatory policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Observes and reports on patients/residents’ general state of health, nutrition, normal body functions and health habits relating to patients’ supportive and therapeutic needs, as necessary.
• Observes residents for signs of increasing anxiety, intervenes when appropriate, to relieve patients’ acute distress. Reports behavior of residents to interdisciplinary team to assist in formulating diagnosis, treatment and aftercare plans.
• Utilizes crisis and/or de-escalation intervention practices, when necessary and appropriate, with patients/residents whose behavior cannot be otherwise supported without such interventions.
• Serves as a member of Behavior Rapid Response Team (BRRT) to address calls in the health care setting or on the health care setting premises for urgent behavior management situations.
• Assists psychiatrists and other clinicians in tracking residents’ behavioral patterns and obtains behavioral reports from the interdisciplinary team. Identifies resident characteristics and environmental variables that may trigger agitated behavior(s).
• Monitorsbehaviors of residents on assigned units for presence or emergence of any behavioral changes, psychological distress, unsafe behaviors, such as wandering, aggression, altercation and hoarding. Assists the unit team members in managing these behaviors.
• Performs ongoing behavior management in collaboration with the primary unit team to manage for on- going management of chronic unsafe behaviors, such as hoarding management and non-compliance with care plans.
• Participates as a co-leader or participant observer in group or family counseling or therapy sessions.
• Counsels individuals or groups in basic living skills, such as health, homemaking, housing, etc., in order to assist them in dealing more effectively with daily problems.
• Participates in organizing and conducting group therapeutic activities for patients both on the ward and/or in the community.
• Instructs and guides non-professional staff in developing and selecting appropriate activities for various patients.
• Interviews patients and families to obtain information to define and clarify presenting problems. Assists patient and/or family in management of social and economic conditions, which may have relevance to treatment goals.
• Participates with the treatment team in providing aftercare services for patients/residents.
• Participates in and conducts meetings in the community to explain health care setting programs and procedures and to identify community concerns related to the health care setting.
• Conducts orientation meetings for newly-assigned staff regarding Mental Health services and patient/resident care.
• Maintains accurate records and reports of patients and other contacts, in accordance with regulations of the service to which assigned.

Performs other related duties, as directed.

1. Thirty (30) college credits, including fifteen (15) credits in the behavioral sciences; and two (2) years of full-time experience performing supportive Mental Health services under the direct supervision of a professional staff member of a hospital or Mental Health facility; or
2. High School diploma or its educational equivalent; and three (3) years of full-time experience, as described in “1” above; or
3. A satisfactory equivalent combination of training, education, and/or experience, in which each year of relevant training and/or experience can be substituted for 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university. However, all applicants must at least have a High School Diploma or its educational equivalent.

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply Now" button or go to employment.nychhc.org

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• Multiple employee discounts programs