Mental Health Therapy Aide (MHT/MHT) - Syracuse, NY - JM 26-15197

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Mental Health Therapy Aide (MHT)
Location: Syracuse, NY
Job Type: Contract
Duration: 13 Weeks
Shift & Schedule: Day Shift | 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM (12-hour shifts) and 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM (8-hour shifts) | 4 Shifts per Week: Two 12-hour shifts and Two 8-hour shifts
Additional Schedule Requirements: Every weekend required. Occasional extensions beyond scheduled hours may be necessary based on staffing needs.

Pay Rate:
Local: $30.00–$33.00/hr
Traveler: $30.00–$33.00/hr

Note: This job doesn’t offer any benefits.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Mental Health Therapy Aide to support patients with psychiatric and behavioral health needs under nursing supervision. The ideal candidate will help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment while providing patient care and supporting daily unit operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct and indirect patient care, including recording vital signs, completing admission documentation, assisting with physical examinations, collecting specimens, and monitoring intake and output.

• Assist patients with personal hygiene, transportation, daily activities, and orientation to unit routines.

• Build therapeutic relationships with patients under nursing supervision and participate in structured therapeutic activities.

• Conduct assigned safety checks, monitor patients closely, and promptly report changes in condition to nursing staff.

• Support patient safety during behavioral and psychiatric crises, including aggression, self-injury, and property destruction.

• Apply age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate care approaches based on individual patient needs.

• Assist nursing staff with patient care, unit operations, and continuity of care.

• Provide additional shift coverage when needed due to staffing shortages.

Required Qualifications

• Recent experience working with psychiatric patients within the past two years preferred.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Basic knowledge of medical terminology.

• Ability to provide patient care under nursing supervision.

• Ability to work with patients with developmental disabilities, aggressive behaviors, self-injurious behaviors, property destruction, and limited or no verbal communication.

• Ability to maintain a safe, therapeutic environment and respond appropriately to patient crises.

• Ability to apply age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate clinical and psychological interventions.

• Must successfully pass pre-employment health clearance.

• Availability to work every weekend and accommodate occasional shift extensions when required.