Patient Care Associate (PCA) - Psychiatry (CPI Required) - PCAJS#001

Job Title: Patient Care Associate (PCA) – Psychiatry (CPI Required)

Location: New York, NY 10025

Schedule: Night Shift | 5x7.5-hour shifts | 11:00 PM – 7:15 AM

Weekly Hours: 37.5 Hours

Duration: 13 Weeks | Temp-to-Perm Opportunity

Position Overview

A premier academic healthcare facility in New York is seeking an experienced Patient Care Associate (PCA) – Psychiatry to support inpatient behavioral health services on a 13-week assignment.

This role is part of a multidisciplinary psychiatric care team responsible for providing direct patient care, therapeutic support, behavioral interventions, and assistance with daily living activities for patients in an inpatient behavioral health setting.

The ideal candidate will have prior psychiatric or behavioral health experience and strong skills in patient communication, crisis intervention, EKG procedures, and venipuncture within a fast-paced clinical environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care and therapeutic support within the inpatient psychiatry unit
• Assist with patient admissions, orientation, and intake procedures
• Conduct patient belongings searches and secure valuables per unit protocols
• Monitor and document vital signs, height, weight, and patient observations
• Perform EKGs, venipuncture, urine testing, specimen collection, and simple dressing changes
• Assist patients with activities of daily living including bathing, feeding, grooming, and dressing
• Support nursing care plans and interdisciplinary treatment plans
• Lead or assist with recreational and therapeutic activity groups
• Escort patients for appointments, testing, and treatment activities as needed
• Assist with discharge planning and coordination of transportation/services
• Provide supportive communication to patients and families
• Respond appropriately during behavioral emergencies, restraint, and seclusion situations
• Assist clinical staff during emergency response situations including CPR and Code procedures
• Maintain infection prevention, patient safety, and behavioral health standards throughout the unit

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent with at least 2 years of full-time experience in one or more of the following:
  • Psychiatric/Behavioral Health
  • Nursing Assistance
  • Law Enforcement
  • Mental Health Counseling or Support Services

OR

• Associate’s Degree in Mental Health or a related field preferred
• Experience with venipuncture and EKG procedures required
• Strong behavioral health and therapeutic communication skills
• Ability to work night shifts in an inpatient psychiatric setting
• Experience working within multidisciplinary healthcare teams

Required Certifications

• Current BLS Certification (AHA) or HeartSaver
• Patient Care Assistant (PCA) Certificate or Medical Assistant training
• EKG and venipuncture competency required
• CPI Certification (Crisis Prevention Intervention) required
• PMCS accepted if applicable
• SEL and SCR background clearances required

Preferred Experience

• Prior inpatient psychiatric or behavioral health experience
• Experience managing aggressive or high-risk patient populations
• Group counseling or therapeutic activity leadership experience
• Familiarity with restraint/seclusion protocols and behavioral intervention techniques

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.