Job Overview
Mental Health Therapy Aide (MHTA) is an entry-level direct care position. Candidates must possess a high school diploma, High School Equivalency Diploma, or similar equivalency such as a General Education Development (GED) Certification or higher degree.
To be considered for a Mental Health Therapy Aide (MHTA) job, you must take the free online examination. To learn more about MHTAs and take the examination, copy and paste this link into your Internet browser: https://www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/employment/mhta.html Note: Do not apply to this posting with a resume. You must take the examination.
The Office of Mental Health (OMH) hires MHTAs at locations across New York State.
After you complete the examination:
Your score will be emailed to you and your name will be added to the MHTA eligible lists(s) for the facilities you selected. When positions are available, OMH canvasses the eligible lists to find candidates. Canvass letters are sent via email. If you do not respond to the canvass letter, you will not be considered for the position.
Duties Description
As a Mental Health Therapy Aide, you would provide direct care services, treatment, rehabilitation, and support to individuals diagnosed with mental illness that receive services in an institutional or community-based setting. You would help individuals to participate in games and recreational programs; coach and encourage individuals to develop daily living skills; and provide a clean, safe, and comfortable environment. You would work with other staff to develop, carry out, and record care plans, and, in accordance with special instructions you may administer medication. This position may be physically demanding. You would need to be prepared to act to ensure the health and safety of patients and staff in emergency situations.
Additional Comments:
If you are selected for appointment, you may be required to attend a physical exam. This exam includes:
Physical/Medical Requirements: Your physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure that you are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. The physical/medical standards include a medical standards evaluation and a substance abuse screening. A complete statement of the physical and medical standards is available at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/ehs/forms.cfm. A medical examination will be required prior to appointment.
Drug Testing: You will have to participate in a drug screening test. Failure to meet the standards may result in your disqualification.
License Requirement: Depending on assignment, you may be required to possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.
Additional Comments
Background Investigation/Justice Center Review: Prospective appointees will be: 1) Checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable. 2) Investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information and may be required to pay any necessary fees. 3) Screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees may be required to pay any necessary fees. Additionally, prospective employees whose names are indicated on the SCR may be barred from appointment.
Medicaid and Medicare: In order to be eligible for appointment and to maintain employment, you cannot be listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of the Federal and/or State Medicaid and Medicare exclusion lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program). If you are appointed and subsequently listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of these lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program), you may be terminated from your employment.
Candidates must be willing to work any shift and pass days.
This posting is to advertise the direct care Mental Health Therapy Aide (MHTA) examination. To learn more and apply for the MHTA examination, copy and paste the following link into an internet browser:
https://www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/employment/mhta.html
All OMH employees receive a generous benefits package including:
- 13 paid vacation days the first year of employment
- 5 paid personal days and 13 paid holidays each year
- Paid sick leave
- Dental, vision and healthcare coverage
- A retirement pension plan
- Access to tuition assistance programs
OMH is currently recruiting for direct care staff at locations throughout the state. For a complete listing of our psychiatric centers, please visit www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/employment/list.html
Office of Mental Health (OMH) hospital employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. OMH does not allow for testing in lieu of vaccination.
More Information
- Salary Offers $42,419 - $46,103 a year
