Certified Nursing Assistant Mental Health Tech

Northlake Behavioral Health System; Mandeville (LA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Northlake Behavioral Health System in Louisiana seeks a dedicated Mental Health Technician/Nursing Assistant to support patients across units. This 12-hour shift role offers day or night options, with alternating weeks including weekends and holidays.

You will provide compassionate care, assist with treatment plans, and help maintain a safe, structured unit environment in a dynamic behavioral health setting.

Qualifications

• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• A genuine interest in and commitment to working with individuals in behavioral health.
• Able to work across all hospital units and adapt to different patient populations.
• Nursing Assistant Certification desirable.
• BLS (AHA) and CPI certification required; provided if needed.
• Previous relevant experience or related clinical program preferred.
• Available to complete a full week of orientation (Mon-Fri, 7:45 am to 5:00 pm).
• HIPAA confidentiality standards must be maintained.

Responsibilities

• Welcome, supervise, and support patients throughout daily activities including groups, meals, and treatment planning.
• Build positive, supportive relationships with patients through therapeutic communication.
• Monitor behaviors, complete required observations, and document accurately.
• Assist with safety checks, room checks, and routine searches.
• Support patient treatment goals by understanding each person’s care plan.
• Help maintain a clean, safe, and structured unit environment.
• Respond to facility codes and support crisis interventions using approved methods.
• Facilitate or assist with basic educational or skills groups.
• Adapt approach and communication style to meet patients across age groups and units.
• Uphold patient rights, privacy, and all facility policies.
• Perform other duties that support patient care and team needs.

Skills

Therapeutic communication

Observation & documentation

De-escalation techniques

Patient care support

Interdepartmental collaboration

HIPAA compliance

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Nursing Assistant Certification desirable

BLS (AHA) and CPI certification required

Job description

Position: Mental Health Technician/Nursing Assistant
Status: Full Time, Non Exempt
Schedule: 12-Hour Shifts, 6:45am to 7pm or 6:45pm to 7am
Schedule: Alternating weeks of three shifts and four shifts; some weekend and holidays required

Join a team that makes a real difference every day. Our Mental Health Technicians play an essential role in supporting patients throughout their behavioral health journey. As a Nursing Assistant/Mental Health Technician, you will work across units throughout the hospital, providing care and support to patients across all units.

This is a hands on, people-centered position that requires compassion, patience, emotional maturity, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to working with people experiencing behavioral health challenges and crisis. You must be comfortable working with a wide range of ages, diagnoses, personalities, and levels of need.

About the Role

You will help create a safe, supportive, and structured environment for patients receiving behavioral health services. As a CNA/MHT, you may be assigned to any unit in the hospital based on patient and staffing needs. Daily work includes guiding patients through routines and activities, supporting therapeutic groups, observing and documenting behavior, and using approved de-escalation techniques when needed.

You will also help with safety checks, monitor patient areas, and collaborate closely with nurses, therapists, and the rest of the care team. The ability to quickly adapt to different units and patient populations is essential to success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Welcome, supervise, and support patients throughout daily activities including groups, meals, and treatment planning
• Build positive, supportive relationships with patients through therapeutic communication
• Monitor behaviors, complete required observations, and document accurately
• Assist with safety checks, room checks, and routine searches
• Support patient treatment goals by understanding each person’s care plan
• Help maintain a clean, safe, and structured unit environment
• Respond to facility codes and support crisis interventions using approved methods
• Facilitate or assist with basic educational or skills groups
• Adapt approach and communication style to meet the needs of patients across different age groups and units
• Uphold patient rights, privacy, and all facility policies
• Perform other duties that support patient care and team needs

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age
• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• A genuine interest in and commitment to working with individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges and crisis
• Able to work across all hospital units and adapt to different patient populations and unit needs
• Nursing Assistant Certification desirable
• BLS (AHA) and CPI certification required; company provided if needed
• Previous relevant experience or completion of a related clinical program preferred
• Available to complete a full week of orientation (Mon-Fri, 7:45 am to 5:00 pm)
• Able to maintain confidentiality and uphold HIPAA standards

Equal Opportunity Employer

Northlake Behavioral Health System is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or class.