Acuity Specialist

Riverview Psychiatric Center; New York (NY); On-site; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Job summary

Riverview Psychiatric Center currently seeks a paraprofessional to respond to adults in psychiatric crisis and support nursing staff in maintaining a safe, therapeutic unit.

You will co-lead the unit, implement crisis-prevention actions, and guide service providers in handling challenging behaviors under general supervision.

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of education and/or progressively responsible experience in mental health treatment.
• Experience in crisis prevention and de-escalation is preferred.
• Ability to work under general supervision within a multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Respond to adults in psychiatric crisis as part of a rapid emergency response team.
• Assist nursing staff by co-leading and monitoring the unit to maintain a safe, therapeutic setting.
• Provide technical support and supervise crisis prevention activities and interventions.

Education

Four years of education/experience

Job description

Riverview Psychiatric Center

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Open Date: 10/05/2026
Close Date: Open Continuously
Job Class Code: 4113
Grade: 19
Salary: $22.44 - $30.09 per hour*
*Hourly rate is inclusive of a $2.00 per hour salary adjustment stipend and a $.60 per hour institutional stipend
Location: Augusta, Maine

Job Overview

This is paraprofessional work in providing emergency response to adults experiencing moderate to acute psychiatric crisis at Riverview Psychiatric Center. Work includes assisting the nursing staff by co‑leading and monitoring the unit in order to maintain a safe and therapeutic setting, recommending/implementing actions or interventions to prevent escalation of behaviors or injury to staff/client, and providing technical support to service providers and other mental health workers by overseeing/guiding the application of crisis prevention activities. Responsibilities may include assignment of a small case management workload consisting of clients with higher behavior risks and serving as a team leader in lieu of the charge nurse. Work is performed under general supervision.

Minimum Qualifications

Four (4) years of education and/or progressively responsible experience, both of which would provide knowledge and abilities in the treatment of adult individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities.

Agency Information

Riverview Psychiatric Center, in collaboration with the community, is a center for best practice, treatment, education and research, for individuals with serious, persistent mental illness, and co‑occurring substance use disorders. Hospital leaders have worked hard to implement changes and establish quality measures of distinction. To continue our goal of becoming a leader within the Behavioral Health field, we are looking for candidates who work well in a team and are enthusiastic and dedicated to providing compassionate care. We hold accreditation's by CMS and the Joint Commission. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

Why join our team?

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime‑exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee‑only premiums ($12,213.60 - $14,369.04 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee‑only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee‑only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre‑tax to help pay for out‑of‑pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non‑birthing parents and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre‑tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.