Mental Health Worker I - Per Diem/Days
Description:
Description
Position at Putnam Hospital Center
Mental Health Worker (MHW) - Putnam Hospital Center Psychiatric Care
Location: Putnam Hospital Center, Psych Unit - Carmel, New York
Salary: $20.57/hour
Employment Type: Non-Exempt, Full-Time/Part-Time Opportunities
Join Nuvance Health - Your Career in Mental Health Care
Nuvance Health is a leading healthcare network with convenient hospital and outpatient locations across Connecticut and New York, including Danbury Hospital, New Milford Hospital, Norwalk Hospital, Sharon Hospital, Northern Dutchess Hospital, Putnam Hospital Center, and Vassar Brothers Medical Center, plus multiple primary and specialty care physician practices, including The Heart Center, a recognized leader in cardiology care.
We are seeking compassionate, dedicated Mental Health Workers (MHWs) to join our psychiatric care team. This role involves providing direct and indirect patient care under the supervision of RNs or physicians in a psychiatric unit. The ideal candidate will assist patients with daily living activities, provide personal care, emotional support, and perform complex clinical tasks within their scope of practice.
Key Responsibilities - Mental Health Worker / Psychiatric Aide
Deliver age-appropriate patient care to pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations.
Assist with admissions, discharges, and transfers.
Provide morning and evening patient care, including bed baths, oral hygiene, dressing, linen changes, and room organization.
Support patient mobility: positioning, lifting, turning, ambulating, and assisting with bedpan/commode use.
Assist with meals, serve food trays, and provide feeding assistance as needed.
Perform 15-minute safety checks and 1:1 patient observation per MD orders.
Lead sensory, recreation, activity, and cognitive stimulation groups.
Take and record vital signs: temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, weight, and intake-output; report deviations to supervising RN.
Identify and communicate mental health safety risks, including suicide, psychosis, and aggression.
Maintain infection control standards and safe handling of equipment.
Document patient care accurately per hospital policy and attend ongoing in-service training.
Apply AIDET principles in every patient and family interaction.
Qualifications
Education: High school diploma required; enrollment in a psychiatric or health-related college program preferred.
Experience: 1 year prior experience in a psychiatric or mental health setting preferred; prior experience as a nurse's aide is a plus.
Certifications:
BLS Certification within 90 days of hire
CPI Certification within 30 days of hire
Preferred: CNA Certification (CT, MA, or NY)
Why Work at Nuvance Health / Putnam Hospital Center?
Competitive hourly rate of $20.57/hr
Opportunities for career growth and professional development in psychiatric care
Work in a supportive and collaborative environment
Exposure to advanced mental health care practices and interdisciplinary teamwork