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Behavioral Health Associate Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

Mental Health Associate

Jersey City, NJ · On-site

$20.92 - $26.63/hr

Mental Health Associate Location: Jersey City Medical Center Department Name: Emergency Screening ... Observing patient behaviors and promptly communicating changes in emotional, behavioral, or ...

Mental Health Associate

Jersey City, NJ · On-site

$20.92 - $26.63/hr

Behavioral and Mental Health Status: Full-Time Shift: Day Facility: Jersey City Medical Center ... Mental Health Associate Location: Jersey City Medical Center Department Name: Emergency Screening ...

Mental Health Associate

Jersey City, NJ · On-site

$20.92 - $26.63/hr

Mental Health Associate Location: Jersey City Medical Center Department Name: Emergency Screening ... Observing patient behaviors and promptly communicating changes in emotional, behavioral, or ...

Mental Health Associate

Jersey City, NJ · On-site

$20.92 - $26.63/hr

Mental Health Associate Location: Jersey City Medical Center Department Name: Emergency Screening ... Observing patient behaviors and promptly communicating changes in emotional, behavioral, or ...

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Behavioral Health Associate information

See New York salary details

$14

$28

$43

How much do behavioral health associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for behavioral health associate in New York is $28.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.59 and $35.24 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges behavioral health associates face during their shifts, and how can they effectively manage them?

Behavioral Health Associates often encounter challenging situations such as managing patients in crisis, de-escalating tense interactions, and maintaining safety in a dynamic environment. It is vital to stay calm under pressure, use therapeutic communication techniques, and follow established protocols to ensure both patient and staff safety. Regular team debriefings, ongoing training, and support from colleagues and supervisors also help associates process difficult experiences and maintain their own well-being.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a behavioral health associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Behavioral Health Associate, you need a background in psychology or a related field, knowledge of mental health disorders, and often a relevant certification such as Certified Behavioral Health Technician (CBHT). Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR), crisis intervention techniques, and de-escalation tools is typically required. Compassion, patience, and strong interpersonal communication skills help you effectively support patients and collaborate with healthcare teams. These skills ensure the safety, well-being, and recovery of patients in behavioral health settings.

What is a behavioral health associate?

Behavioral Health Associates are professionals who support individuals experiencing mental health or substance use challenges. They typically work in hospitals, residential treatment centers, or outpatient facilities, helping patients with daily activities, monitoring their well-being, and assisting with therapeutic interventions under the supervision of licensed clinicians. Their role is crucial in creating a safe and supportive environment, encouraging patients’ participation in treatment, and communicating observations to the healthcare team. Behavioral Health Associates may also help with crisis intervention and de-escalation, ensuring that patients receive compassionate and effective care.
What are the most commonly searched types of Behavioral Health jobs in New York? The most popular types of Behavioral Health jobs in New York are:
What cities in New York are hiring for Behavioral Health Associate jobs? Cities in New York with the most Behavioral Health Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Behavioral Health Associate job openings in New York as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,355 per year, or $28.5 per hour.

Behavioral Health Associate

NYC Health Hospitals

New York, NY • On-site

$55K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


NYC Health + Hospitals rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 74 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

231st of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC) is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The hospital is comprised of 545 beds and is a Level I Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station and a 911 Receiving Hospital. It is the premiere health care organization for key areas such as Surgery, Cardiology, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Renal and Mental Health Services.
At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.
Work Shifts
3:00pm-11:30pm With alternating weekends Total Hours: 37.5
Duties & Responsibilities
Purpose of Position:
Under the direction of a Registered Nurse, physician, and/or clinical designee and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, performs crisis and/or de-escalation interventions, therapeutic observations of patients and
milieu, patient supervision and other behavioral health related duties, including assisting in the implementation of
seclusion/restraints. Acts in compliance with health care system and all relevant regulatory policies.
Examples of Typical Tasks:
1. Utilizes crisis and/or de-escalation intervention practices, when necessary and appropriate, with patients
whose behavior cannot be otherwise supported without such interventions.
2. Assists in the application and removal of restraints and the implementation of seclusion, when deemed
necessary by appropriate personnel; ensures the physical and emotional health and safety of the patient
when using such methods.
3. Identifies patient characteristics and environmental variables that may trigger agitated behavior(s) and
communicates such information to the treatment team.
4. Escorts patient to required location(s), within and outside of the health care setting.
5. Monitors and controls patient, family, visitors and staff traffic flow through behavioral health services.
6. Ensures the safety of patients and staff through electronic scanning and safety checks prior to entry to
clinical areas.
7. Responds appropriately to patient emergencies, including those requiring the Behavioral Response
Team, and other emergencies, as necessary.
8. Inspects and categorizes patients' belongings at time of admission and ensures that property is safely
maintained and returned at the time of transfer or discharge; notifies appropriate personnel of illegal
items for proper handling.
9. May lead or co-lead discussion groups in areas such as anger management techniques and practices;
appropriately documents group activity.
10. Assists in the facilitation of therapeutic groups and related activities.
11. Assists with patient grooming needs, including shaving when deemed appropriate by clinical staff and
the patient is not able to shave themselves.
12. Takes patient vital signs, when directed to do so by clinical staff, and enters patient vital sign data into
the electronic medical record.
13. Observes and monitors assigned patients on a one-to-one basis.
14. Conducts patient checks/rounds and video surveillance, as required, and reports observations,
interactions and patient activity to assigned nursing staff.
15. Communicates clinical matters to assigned Registered Nurse or other professional staff, as required.
16. Participates in staff, departmental and team/committee meetings.
17. Participates in departmental quality assurance/performance improvement (QA/PI) activities.
18. Participates in departmental and/or health care setting-wide training, as required.
19. Effectively applies ICARE values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.
20. Performs related work, as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Social Services or a health related discipline; or
2. High School diploma or its educational equivalent, approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization; and one (1) year of full-time experience in law enforcement, nursing or psychiatric/behavioral health in a high volume, intensive care environment.
3. *Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training program in the application and use of restraints and seclusion must be completed prior to an individual performing such work.
4. Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training in the performance of vital signs and grooming within ninety (90) calendar days of appointment to the title.
5. Holds or obtains a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) within sixty (60) calendar days of appointment to the title.
*Special Note:
As required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Hospital Conditions of Participation - Patients' Rights (42 CFR Part 482), before applying restraints, implementing seclusion, performing associated monitoring of the restrained or secluded individual, or providing care for such individual, staff must be trained and able to demonstrate competency in the performance of these actions.
Benefits
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
  • Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
  • Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
  • College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
  • College Savings Program
  • Union Benefits for eligible titles
  • Multiple employee discounts programs
  • Commuter Benefits Programs

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply for Job" button.

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