Mental Health Assistant - BSU

We're seeking a compassionate, team-oriented Mental Health Assistant to join our Behavioral Science Unit (BSU). In this role, you'll be a key part of our multidisciplinary team, helping create and maintain a therapeutic environment for patients with psychiatric and behavioral health needs. You'll provide direct and indirect patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, ensuring physical and emotional support, safety, and respectful communication at every step. Your work will have a lasting impact on the health and recovery of our patients.

Your Schedule

• Full-time position located in the Behavioral Science Unit.
• Shifts may include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed to support 24/7 patient care operations. Flexibility is required.

What You'll Be Doing

• Monitoring patient behavior and symptoms, accurately documenting and reporting observations to the care team

• Assisting in the development and implementation of individualized care plans and treatment strategies

• Supporting patients with activities of daily living including hygiene, meals, and medication reminders

• Performing vital signs, weight checks, intake/output measurements, and specimen collection

• Interacting therapeutically with patients to support emotional regulation and coping strategies

• Participating in multidisciplinary meetings, admissions orientation, and patient education

• Escorting patients to appointments or diagnostic tests and transporting labeled specimens to the lab

• Facilitating group or individual therapeutic activities and encouraging participation in unit programming

• Monitoring unit safety through environmental checks, visitor supervision, and patient observation

• Assisting with crisis de-escalation and behavioral management, including restraint application when necessary

• Ensuring documentation is timely, accurate, and reflects patient progress and safety

• Collaborating with physicians and team members to support individualized treatment planning

• Acting as a role model and preceptor for new staff as directed

• Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions with patients, families, and staff

• Performing basic housekeeping duties and ensuring cleanliness and order in patient areas

• Adhering to all hospital safety protocols including infection control and emergency procedures

What We're Looking For

• Associate's degree in psychology, sociology, human services, or a related health field

• Consideration will be given to candidates with relevant experience in lieu of formal education

• Prior psychiatric or behavioral health experience strongly preferred

• Training in crisis intervention and behavioral restraint application is a plus

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within 90 days of hire

• Strong observational, communication, and documentation skills

• Ability to maintain composure and adapt in high-stress and emergency situations

• Physically able to perform job duties, including managing agitated patients and handling moderate lifting

• Professional, empathetic, and sensitive to the unique needs of psychiatric patients

• Strong teamwork ethic with the ability to collaborate across disciplines

If you're passionate about mental health care and want to make a difference in a collaborative and supportive environment, we'd love for you to join our team. Apply today to take the next step in your healthcare career.