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Psychiatric Nurse Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Talent Consultants

Psychiatric Nurse

Montrose, NY

$55 - $70/hr

The Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive nursing care to adult patients ... Supervise Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and nursing assistants as assigned. Qualifications ...

New

Sacramento County

Psychiatric Nurse

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$136K - $150K/yr

Psychiatric Nurse Print ( Apply  Psychiatric Nurse Salary $136,200.24 - $150,148.08 Annually ... Conduct and assist in formal and informal individual and group counseling * Assist in and ...

County of Sacramento

Psychiatric Nurse

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$136K - $150K/yr

... II Psychiatric Nurse performs professional nursing duties in the care of mentally ill and ... All persons appointed must be physically able to restrain and assist in restraining patients.

Sacramento County, CA

Psychiatric Nurse

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$136K - $150K/yr

Note: For additional nursing opportunities please see , Psychiatric Nurse performs professional ... Conduct and assist in formal and informal individual and group counseling * Assist in and ...

Sacramento County, CA

Psychiatric Nurse

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$136K - $150K/yr

Note: For additional nursing opportunities please see , Psychiatric Nurse performs professional ... Conduct and assist in formal and informal individual and group counseling * Assist in and ...

GovernmentJobs.com

Psychiatric Nurse

Sacramento, CA · On-site

Ability to apply professional psychiatric nursing care principles and practices in the evaluation ... All persons appointed must be physically able to restrain and assist in restraining patients.

Horizon House Inc

Psychiatric Nurse

Philadelphia, PA

Purpose: · Provide and assist team members in coordinating the behavioral and physical health care ... abuse & psychiatric nursing services consistent with physician orders and standard nursing ...

Horizon House

Psychiatric Nurse

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

Purpose: • Provide and assist team members in coordinating the behavioral and physical health ... abuse & psychiatric nursing services consistent with physician orders and standard nursing ...

Grey Matter

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

$123K - $157K/yr

May be responsible for player-coach mentorship of Primary Care/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners or Triage Nurses (Does not include hiring/career decisions, personnel management.) * Assist with ...

firsthand Health

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

$123K - $157K/yr

May be responsible for player-coach mentorship of Primary Care/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners or Triage Nurses (Does not include hiring/career decisions, personnel management.) * Assist with ...

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Psychiatric Nurse Assistant information

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How much do psychiatric nurse assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for psychiatric nurse assistant in the United States is $22.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $25.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by psychiatric nurse assistants, and how can they be managed?

Psychiatric nurse assistants often encounter challenges such as managing patients with unpredictable behavior, handling emotional stress, and maintaining personal boundaries. Effective communication skills, teamwork, and regular training in de-escalation techniques are essential for managing these challenges. Most facilities offer support systems, including regular team debriefings and access to counseling resources, to help staff cope with the emotional demands of the job. Building strong relationships with colleagues and staying proactive in self-care can significantly improve resilience and job satisfaction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a psychiatric nurse assistant?

To thrive as a Psychiatric Nurse Assistant, you need a basic understanding of mental health care, patient observation, and assisting with daily living activities, often supported by a high school diploma and relevant on-the-job training or certification. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), crisis intervention techniques, and safety protocols is typical. Compassion, patience, strong communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are standout soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are vital for ensuring patient safety, delivering supportive care, and maintaining a therapeutic environment in mental health settings.

How to become a psychiatric nurse assistant?

To become a psychiatric nurse assistant, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and complete a state-approved training program or certification. Relevant skills include communication, empathy, and basic healthcare knowledge, and some positions may require CPR certification or a background check.

What is the difference between Psychiatric Nurse Assistant vs Mental Health Technician?

AspectPsychiatric Nurse AssistantMental Health Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma; certification may be preferredHigh school diploma; certification often required
Work EnvironmentHospitals, mental health facilities, clinicsPsychiatric units, residential treatment centers, hospitals
Employer & IndustryHospitals, mental health clinics, outpatient centersPsychiatric hospitals, inpatient units, community health agencies

Both roles support mental health patients, assisting with daily activities and monitoring patient well-being. While they share similar environments and credentials, Psychiatric Nurse Assistants typically work under the supervision of nurses, focusing on basic patient care, whereas Mental Health Technicians may have a broader scope, including therapeutic activities and crisis intervention.

What is a psychiatric nurse assistant?

Psychiatric nurse assistants are healthcare professionals who support nurses and doctors in caring for patients with mental health disorders. They assist with daily living activities, monitor patients' behavior, provide emotional support, and help maintain a safe environment in psychiatric facilities. Their role is essential for ensuring patients' comfort and safety while following care plans developed by the clinical team. Psychiatric nurse assistants often work in hospitals, mental health clinics, and residential treatment centers.
What cities are hiring for Psychiatric Nurse Assistant jobs? Cities with the most Psychiatric Nurse Assistant job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Psychiatric Nurse jobs? The most popular types of Psychiatric Nurse jobs are:
What states have the most Psychiatric Nurse Assistant jobs? States with the most job openings for Psychiatric Nurse Assistant jobs include:
Psychiatric Nurse Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Psychiatric Nurse Assistant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,304 per year, or $22.3 per hour.

Psychiatric Nurse

Talent Consultants

Montrose, NY

$55 - $70/hr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

The Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive nursing care to adult patients receiving inpatient psychiatric and behavioral health services. Working as part of an interdisciplinary team, the RN assesses patients, develops individualized care plans, administers psychiatric medications, monitors treatment progress, and provides crisis intervention in a safe, therapeutic environment. This role supports patients with mental illness, substance use disorders, PTSD, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and co-occurring medical conditions.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

  • Perform comprehensive nursing assessments, including mental status and suicide risk evaluations.
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized nursing care plans.
  • Administer and monitor psychotropic medications and other prescribed treatments.
  • Observe and document patient behaviors, mood changes, and response to treatment.
  • Identify and respond appropriately to psychiatric emergencies using crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
  • Maintain a safe therapeutic environment while ensuring patient safety through observation and risk assessments.
  • Coordinate care with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
  • Educate patients and families regarding diagnoses, medications, coping strategies, and discharge planning.
  • Monitor patients for medication side effects, withdrawal symptoms, and adverse reactions.
  • Assist with admissions, transfers, and discharge planning.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
  • Maintain accurate documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR).
  • Ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, OSHA, infection prevention, and facility policies.
  • Supervise Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and nursing assistants as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

  • Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required.
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Licensure & Certifications

  • Current, unrestricted New York State Registered Nurse (RN) license.
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
  • ACLS preferred.
  • Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or equivalent behavioral management training preferred.

Experience

  • One year of RN experience preferred.
  • Experience in psychiatric nursing, behavioral health, substance use treatment, emergency psychiatry, corrections, long-term care, or Veterans Affairs healthcare preferred.
  • Experience caring for veterans or patients with complex behavioral health needs is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Knowledge of psychiatric disorders and psychopharmacology.
  • Strong assessment and clinical judgment skills.
  • Ability to manage behavioral crises using therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques.
  • Excellent interpersonal, documentation, and collaboration skills.
  • Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR).
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team.

Work Environment

  • Inpatient psychiatric units
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Centers
  • Behavioral health hospitals
  • Residential psychiatric treatment facilities
  • Substance use disorder treatment programs
  • Community Living Centers and long-term behavioral health 

Pay range is $55.00 to $70.00hour