Mental Health Treatment Aide Supervisor (Aso Dir Mtl Hlth Sv(AS)LI) at NYC Health

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation. We are a network of 11 hospitals, trauma centers, neighborhood health centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, and correctional health services. We are a home care agency and a health plan, MetroPlus. Our health system provides essential services to 1.4 million New Yorkers every year in more than 70 locations across the citys five boroughs. Our diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees are uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. 

NYC Health + Hospitals/Correctional Health Services is one of the nation’s leading correctional health care systems in quality of and innovations to care, and access from pre-arraignment through compassionate release. In-jail services include medical, nursing, mental health, substance use treatment, social work, dental and vision care, discharge planning, and reentry support. In addition to providing direct patient care in the jails, CHS leverages the resources of the nation’s largest municipal health care system to help discharged patients successfully return to their communities. CHS is also a pivotal partner in New York City’s criminal justice reform efforts. 

Job Description: 

This full-time position is on the therapeutic housing units (THU’s) throughout Rikers Island. Those in this position will work in collaboration with the unit-based mental health treatment team that includes a mental health clinician, clinical supervisor, creative arts therapist, discharge planner, and psychiatric provider. The Mental Health Treatment Aide Supervisor (MHTAS) on THU’s will conduct clinical mental health rounds and suicide evening rounds, lead therapeutic activity groups, perform crisis/de-escalation interventions, and provides important input into treatment decisions. The MHTAS will contribute to quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives. The MHTAS will report to the Senior Mental Health Treatment Aide Supervisors.  Together, evidence based clinical programs will be implemented according to needs of the THU.

Detailed Tasks: 

Responsibilities

• Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement with the mental health team
• Utilize crisis and/or de-escalation intervention practices, when necessary and appropriate, with patient whose behavior cannot be otherwise supported without such interventions
• Identify patient characteristics and environmental variables that may trigger agitated behavior(s) and communicates such information to the treatment team
• Communicate clinical matters to assigned Mental Health/DOC or other professional staff as required and report any unusual findings or changes in physical/medical or emotional conditions to their supervisor that may affect the patient or the therapeutic milieu
• Lead or co-lead groups/activities and practices, appropriately documents group activities
• Performs clinical mental health rounds on the THU’s as required
• Where applicable, orients patients to the unit policies, procedures, rules, regulations and routine schedule
• Performs 1:1 monitoring of patients for behavioral management/modification purposes
• Participates in regularly-scheduled, in person 1:1 supervision with the Senior MHTAS
• Participates in departmental clinical training as required 
• Demonstrates a professional appearance and demeanor at all times 
• Performs other appropriate mental health duties as directed by team leaders or supervisors

Preferred Skills:

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. A Master’s degree in Arts or Science with a specialization in hospital administration, health care administration, administrative medicine or in public health when conferred for a program in hospital administration, from an approved college or university 
• 2. One (1) year of administrative experience and background; or,
• 3. An equivalent combination of training, education and experience in related fields and educational disciplines; and,
• 4. General knowledge of policies and programs utilized in the operation of a health care facility, ability to assimilate and analyze data, to recommend action based on analytical findings, and to assist in the solution of complex problems in health care administration and management.

Preference will be given to qualified applicants with:

• A Masters degree in criminal justice, social services or health related area
• 2+ years of specialized and responsible experience providing treatment to mentally challenged patients or residents in institutional settings
• 1+ years of supervisory experience with mental health personnel
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to establish successful interpersonal relationships with patients and co-workers
• Ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines, including DOC staff
• Strong clinical skills and the ability to recognize when clinical situations need a higher level of intervention
• Familiarity with quality assurance practices

Minimum Qualifications

1. Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Public Health, Health Care Specialization, Social Work, Psychology or related field; and
2. Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in hospital or regulatory agency administration, with particular emphasis on development and evaluation of mental health delivery services; or
3. Possession of a valid license and current registration to practice in a mental health field issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• Multiple employee discounts programs