Job Description

Mental Health Associate is an individual who functions in both a support and collaborative role with the Registered Professional Nurse by providing direct care to individual and to groups of psychiatric patients within the Psychiatry Care Center.

1. Assists the nursing staff in performing selected nursing procedures and functional tasks to specific patients
2. Assists with the admissions, transfer and discharge of patients according to established policy and procedures.
3. Provides direct physical care, and/or one to one observation to selected patients under supervision
4. Carries out procedures as taught
5. Assists with patients’ examinations treatments and procedures
6. Assists with lifting, positioning. moving and ambulating patients using body mechanics as instructed
7. Transports patients by wheelchair, stretcher or bed
8. Assists in preventive measures and crisis interventions (i. e. suicide, aggression, elopement self- harm and sexual risks).
9. Assists in de-escalation of agitated  patients  and utilizes crisis prevention techniques as necessary for the management of potential destructive behaviors
10. Escorts ambulatory patients
11. Escorts patients outside of the hospital as necessary
12. Goes on errands as necessary
13. Aware of the need for safety devices; applies or assists with application as taught.
14. Cares for patient’s personal possessions and reports presence of valuables to the nurse or ward clerk
15. Answers call lights, attends to the patient’s needs and/or reports patient’s concerns and requests to the nurse
16. Reports pertinent information and observations regarding patients to the nurse
17. Communicates information and basic instructions to patients, families and visitors
18. Participates in exchange of patient daily report and nursing care conferences
19. Obtains and records blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiration rate in accordance with hospital policy.
20. Attends staff and educational meetings
21. Works safely and provides for the safety of patients and others
22. Maintains neat and clean patient and service areas
23. Organize and implement group activities in conjunction with the unit program and other staff and document patient participation and report to nurse.
24. Facilitate the patient's transition toward discharge
25. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of desired effects and side effects of psychotropic medication.
26. Participate in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team meetings as assigned.
27. Perform Q20 minute environmental/patient safety rounds and implement a higher level of observation in emergencies.  Immediately reports any need for increased observation to the clinical nurse for further assessment.
28. Establish and foster collegial, therapeutic relationships with peers, support staff and other disciplines.
29. Demonstrate therapeutic skills in crisis intervention.
30. Demonstrates safe use of equipment, safety precautions in all aspects of patient care activities (e.g.restraints applications, transportation).
31. Recognizes changes in a patient's status, sharing findings with the primary nurse.
32. Demonstrate basic knowledge of DSM-IV diagnoses.
33. Assists with emergency interventions based on clinical manifestation (i.e. choking, respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest).
34. Demonstrates awareness of the effect of the physiological changes (decrease vision, hearing and speaking) when utilizing verbal/written skills to communicate with the elderly.
35. Selects toys and play room activities consistent with the age and developmental stage of the child/adolescent patient. Maintains cleanliness of toys
36. Assists on restraining patients and providing monitoring and comfort of those patients in restraint.
37. Perform phlebotomy/fingerstick procedures, as assigned.
38. Perform EKG as assigned.
39. Perform supplemental components of the nursing admission, i.e. tour of unit, orientation, patient and belonging search, as defined by RN.
40. Participate in Clinical Specialty Performance Improvement Activities.
41. Document care administered according to policy.
42. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care, based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patients served in assigned area
43. Assist in supervision of volunteers assigned to the unit

Age Specific Competencies (Neonate/Infant, Pediatric, Adolescent, Adult, Geriatric)

1. 1. Identifies physical, behavioral and emotional characteristics typical for the age group
   2. Modifies approaches based on patient age-specific needs and responses to treatment
   3. Provides care for patients based on age-specific needs
   4. Uses communication techniques which are age appropriate

B. Organizational/Managerial

1. Participates in the Department of Nursing Quality Improvement Program/activities
2. Maintains patient/employee confidentiality in the management of information

C. Educational/Professional Development

1. Participates in the development of other staff members
2. Meets regulatory, licensure and annual health assessment requirements

D. Communication/Relationships

1. Demonstrates a professional, courteous, and respectful attitude in dealing with patients, families and significant others.
2. Displays courtesy, tact and patience during interactions with all members of the hospital staff and extended community.
3. Maintains positive interpersonal skills with patients, visitors and staff
4. Adheres to  MSHS legal and ethical standards
5. May be required to perform other duties as assigned

Items 1-41 are essential functions of this position under the Americans with Disabilities Act

• Associate Degree or equivalent with some college level courses preferred
• Satisfactory completion of a Basic Medical Assistant’s Skills Training Program or equivalent including EKG and Venipuncture skills. 
• One (1) year of satisfactory work performance as a Nurse’s Aide or Patient Care Associate preferred  
• Successful completion of a Crisis Prevention and Intervention Course and updated according to policy.
• Ability to read, write, understand and speak English in a clear and concise manner. Visual and aural acuity to assess patient within parameters of job responsibilities. Communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with a wide variety of individuals. Orientation toward consumer satisfaction. Physical stamina, manual dexterity and visual and aural acuity to perform duties. Trained on the job. Successful completion of on site preparation program.
• Prior healthcare experience with demonstrated competency in a psychiatric setting preferred.
• Current Heart Saver Certification from American Heart Association. BCLS will also be accepted as an alternative.

Collective bargaining unit: SEIU 1199-MSSL

Strength through Unity and Inclusion

The Mount Sinai Health System is committed to fostering an environment where everyone can contribute to excellence. We share a common dedication to delivering outstanding patient care. When you join us, you become part of Mount Sinai’s unparalleled legacy of achievement, education, and innovation as we work together to transform healthcare. We encourage all team members to actively participate in creating a culture that ensures fair access to opportunities, promotes inclusive practices, and supports the success of every individual.

At Mount Sinai, our leaders are committed to fostering a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We strive to create an environment where collaboration, fairness, and continuous learning drive positive change, improving the well-being of our staff, patients, and organization. Our leaders are expected to challenge outdated practices, promote a culture of respect, and work toward meaningful improvements that enhance patient care and workplace experiences. We are dedicated to building a supportive and welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and advance professionally. Explore this opportunity and be part of the next chapter in our history.

About the Mount Sinai Health System:

Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 48,000 employees working across eight hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time — discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it. Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes more than 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 joint-venture outpatient surgery centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. We are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals, receiving high "Honor Roll" status, and are highly ranked: No. 1 in Geriatrics, top 5 in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, and top 20 in Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology/Lung Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Urology. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 12 in Ophthalmology. U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” ranks Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital among the country’s best in several pediatric specialties. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is ranked No. 11 nationwide in National Institutes of Health funding and in the 99th percentile in research dollars per investigator according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Newsweek’s “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals” ranks The Mount Sinai Hospital as No. 1 in New York and in the top five globally, and Mount Sinai Morningside in the top 20 globally.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Mount Sinai Health System is an equal opportunity employer, complying with all applicable federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate, exclude, or treat individuals differently based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, students, trainees, patients, visitors, and the communities we serve feel respected and supported. Our goal is to create a healthcare and learning institution that actively works to remove barriers, address challenges, and promote fairness in all aspects of our organization.

Compensation

The Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) provides salary ranges that comply with the New York City Law on Salary Transparency in Job Advertisements. The salary range for the role is $28.3718 - $30.4264 Hourly. Actual salaries depend on a variety of factors, including experience, education, and operational need. The salary range or contractual rate listed does not include bonuses/incentive, differential pay or other forms of compensation or benefits.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs