Mental Health Treatment Aide

Position Overview

Employed by PAGNY for The Division of Correctional Health Services (CHS) of New York City Health + Hospitals (H+H), this role is responsible for the delivery of medical care, mental health care, and discharge planning in the jail system. Approximately 25% of new admissions per year to the NYC jail system will receive care on the mental health service. The service offers safe, holistic, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions for a diverse range of mental health issues – from serious mental illness to the natural struggles that accompany incarceration. This position is located on Rikers Island.

Key Responsibilities

Schedule: Full Time: Sunday - Thursday: 2:00pm - 10:00pm

• Orients patients to unit policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and routine schedule.
• Utilizes crisis and/or de-escalation intervention practices when necessary and appropriate.
• Identifies patient characteristics and environmental variables that may trigger agitated behaviors and communicates this information to the treatment team.
• Performs patient checks/rounds as required.
• Communicates clinical matters to assigned Mental Health/DOC or other professional staff and reports any unusual findings or changes in conditions to the supervisor.
• Escorts patients to groups or other required locations as directed.
• Conducts 1:1 monitoring of patients for behavioral management/modification purposes.
• Participates in departmental clinical training as required.
• May lead or co-lead groups/activities (e.g., anger management) and document group activities appropriately.
• Responds appropriately to patient emergencies and cooperates with DOC staff to ensure safety.
• Participates in regularly-scheduled, in-person 1:1 supervision with the MHTA supervisor or designee.
• Maintains a professional appearance and demeanor at all times.
• Performs other appropriate mental health duties as directed by team leaders or supervisors.
• Engages DOC staff when there is an incident of violence or suspicion/occurrence of contraband on the unit.
• Debriefs DOC custodial staff prior to each tour regarding problematic patients or issues on the unit.
• Assumes a secondary role in crisis resolution when officers arrive for emergencies.

Required Qualifications

• An Associate's degree in Criminal Justice, Social Services, or a health-related area.
• A High School diploma or GED and two years of full-time experience in Nursing, Behavioral Health, or a related field.
• Or any combination of the above education and experience.
• Ability to carry out written and oral instructions.
• Ability to establish successful interpersonal relationships with patients and co-workers.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive compensation package
• Choice of a three tiered, starting at FREE medical plans beginning day one
• Excellent dental insurance including orthodontics coverage starting day one
• Generous paid time off program
• Healthcare FSA and Dependent FSA
• Salary: $54,112.50 annually