Psychiatric Patient Care Assistant / Behavioral Health Associate - PPCA#01

Position Title: Psychiatric Patient Care Assistant / Behavioral Health Associate

Location: New York, NY (ZIP: 10025)

Duration: 13-week contract

Shift: Night Shift (11:00 PM – 7:15 AM)

Position Overview

"Navitas Healthcare, LLC" is seeking a compassionate and safety-focused Psychiatric Patient Care Assistant / Behavioral Health Associate to support inpatient psychiatric services within a multidisciplinary healthcare environment. This role involves providing direct patient care, therapeutic support, crisis intervention assistance, and behavioral health services to individuals receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment.

The ideal candidate will have strong behavioral health experience, excellent de-escalation skills, and the ability to remain calm and effective in high-acuity and crisis situations.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Care & Behavioral Health Support

• Support patients during admission and orientation to the inpatient psychiatric unit
• Assist with patient belongings management, personal searches, and securing valuables
• Provide orientation to unit policies, procedures, and environment
• Participate in Nursing Care Plans and Interdisciplinary Treatment Plans
• Offer supportive counseling to patients and families under clinical guidance
• Assist with therapeutic interventions as directed by the care team
• Lead or co-lead recreational and therapeutic activity groups

Clinical & Direct Care Duties

• Perform basic patient care including:
  • Vital signs monitoring
  • Height and weight measurements
  • Specimen collection (blood, urine, sputum)
  • Venipuncture
  • EKG procedures
  • Simple wound care and dressing changes
  • Assistance with hygiene and activities of daily living
• Support patient transport and discharge planning activities
• Escort patients within and outside the medical facility as required

Safety & Crisis Intervention

• Assist in managing aggressive or escalated patient behaviors when necessary
• Support care of patients in seclusion or restraint per established protocols
• Maintain infection control and patient safety standards
• Respond to emergencies and assist with CPR and crisis intervention procedures
• Participate in de-escalation and behavioral crisis prevention strategies

Required Qualifications

Education

One of the following:

• High School Diploma or equivalent with 2+ years of full-time experience in psychiatric care, behavioral health, nursing, mental health counseling, law enforcement, or group/family support services
  
  OR
• Associate’s Degree in Mental Health or a related field preferred

Certifications

• Current BLS (American Heart Association) certification required
• Medical Assistant certification OR completion of a Patient Care Assistant program including:
  • EKG training
  • Venipuncture training
  • CPI or equivalent crisis prevention certification
• Successful background screening (including SEL and SCR checks)

Required Skills & Experience

• Prior experience in psychiatric or behavioral health settings
• Venipuncture and EKG competency required
• Strong communication and de-escalation skills
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary clinical team
• High emotional resilience and professionalism in high-stress environments

For more details contact at [email protected] or Call / Text at 516-862-1169.

About Navitas Healthcare, LLC certified WBENC and one of the fastest-growing healthcare staffing firms in the US providing Medical, Clinical and Non-Clinical services to numerous hospitals. We offer the most competitive pay for every position we cater. We understand this is a partnership. You will not be blindsided and your salary will be discussed upfront.