Nursing Assistant/UKHC

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Kentucky is actively recruiting a full-time Nurse Assistant/Mental Health Associate for Eastern State Hospital in Gragg 2. The role supports licensed providers in caring for adults with psychiatric needs, delivering planned activities and supervising patients as required.

The candidate will perform vital signs, assist with daily living activities, and help maintain a safe, therapeutic setting. CPR knowledge and teamwork are essential, with weekend/holiday shifts expected.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will be compassionate, honest, trustworthy, and have a strong work ethic.
• Must enjoy working in a team, but also be able to take direction and communicate effectively with staff, patients and their family members independently.
• In addition, must also be confident and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of CPR and basic concept of abnormal vital sign parameters is a must.
• Candidate will also need strong organizational, prioritization, basic computer navigation skills, and a working knowledge of the Internet.

Responsibilities

• Assist a licensed healthcare provider in the delivery of patient care to adult patients with a primary psychiatric diagnosis.
• Plan, organize, and implement psychiatric rehabilitation activities.
• Escort patients to and from activities, assist in screening and basic assessment of patients.
• Provide documentation and keep records of patient behavior.
• Assist in patient supervision of patients during treatment/support activities. Leads/co-leads group activities.
• Implements hospital and departmental policies, procedures, rules, and regulations in assuring a safe, therapeutic environment.

Skills

Compassionate

Honest

Teamwork

Communication

CPR knowledge

Basic computer navigation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CPR certification preferred

Job description

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

This position requires regularly sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods of time and performing tasks with repetitive motions (such as typing); lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects weighing up to or over 50 pounds; and standing or walking with objects weighing up to 10 pounds; occasionally requires standing or walking with objects weighing up to 25 pounds and/or working in confined spaces. Also involves some exposure to risk of injury from moving, lifting, or positioning patients, equipment, or materials; and exposure to loud noises, temperature extremes, hazardous chemicals and fumes including waste, radiation, burns, cuts/punctures, blood-borne or airborne pathogens, and/or combative/violent people.

Shift

Must be able to work three 12.5-hour shifts per week (7:00 p.m. – 7:30 a.m.) Will also be required to work some weekends and holidays

Job Summary

Eastern State Hospital is currently recruiting for a full-time Nurse Assistant/Mental Health Associate in Gragg 2.The Mental Health Associate will assist a licensed healthcare provider in the delivery of patient care to adult patients with a primary psychiatric diagnosis. Assists in providing age appropriate and specific needs, treatment services, and performs related tasks as required (i.e. obtain vital signs; assist with activities of daily living). Provides direct patient care by planning, organizing, and implementing psychiatric rehabilitation activities. Assists in escort of patients to and from activities, assists in screening and basic assessment of patients. Provides documentation and keeps records of patient behavior. Assists in patient supervision of patients during treatment/support activities. Leads/co-leads group activities. Implements hospital and departmental policies, procedures, rules, and regulations in assuring a safe, therapeutic environment.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

The ideal candidate will be compassionate, honest, trustworthy, and have a strong work ethic. Must enjoy working in a team, but also be able to take direction and communicate effectively with staff, patients and their family members independently. In addition, must also be confident and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. Knowledge of CPR and basic concept of abnormal vital sign parameters is a must. Candidate will also need strong organizational, prioritization, basic computer navigation skills, and a working knowledge of the Internet.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No

Preferred Education/Experience

Previous healthcare experience and CPR certification preferred

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 11/08/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Are you currently certified as a Kentucky State Registered Nursing Assistant?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Please indicate your paid work experience in a hospital as a Behavioral Health Tech, Nursing Assistant, and/or a State Registered Nursing Assistant (SRNA).
  • None
  • More than 0, up through 1 year
  • More than 1 year, up through 3 years
  • More than 3 years, up through 5 years
  • More than 5 years
• * How many years of mental health related experience do you have?
  • None
  • More than 0, up through 1 year
  • More than 1 year, up through 3 years
  • More than 3 years, up through 5 years
  • More than 5 years