Mental Health Tech Nursing Assistant PRN

The Ness Center; Mandeville (LA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Northlake Behavioral Health System is seeking a Mental Health Technician/Nursing Assistant (PRN, non-exempt) to support patients across behavioral health units. You will work 12-hour shifts, 6:45am to 7:00pm or 6:45pm to 7:00am, providing direct care, assisting with routines, observing patients, and supporting treatment plans with the care team.

The role requires compassion, emotional maturity, and adaptability to diverse ages and diagnoses.

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.

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.

Skills

Compassionate care

Emotional maturity

Adaptability

Team collaboration

Therapeutic communication

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Nursing Assistant Certification desirable

BLS (AHA) and CPI certification

Job description

Position: Mental Health Technician/Nursing Assistant
Status: PRN, Non Exempt
Schedule: 12-Hour Shifts, 6:45am to 7pm or 6:45pm to 7am

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 Mental Health Technician/Nursing Assistant, 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.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. Applicants are entitled to reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to effectively participate in the application and hiring process. If you believe you require an accommodation for the application or interview process or for the position for which you are applying, please reach out to [e-mail].