STATE MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY AIDE POSTS

Will Fill More Than 1,000 Jobs; Salary $25,763 to Start; Must Pass Written Test, Know English Well To Be Hired

The State Office of Mental Health is hiring Mental Health Therapy Aide Trainees, at a starting salary of $25,763, to work in facilities throughout the state. There are currently 1,022 vacancies in this position. Last year, 600 aides were hired, with the same number expected this year.

Year-Long Training

There is no exam fee. Those who pass the written test and are appointed participate in a 12-month traineeship. At the end of that period, salary will increase to $28,733 without further examination.

Appointees who work in the city or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester counties will receive an additional annual downstate adjustment of $1,302. Jobs are available in all five boroughs.

Mental Health Aides who work in Dutchess, Orange, or Putnam counties will receive an additional annual Mid-Hudson adjustment of $651.

Therapy Aide Trainees will provide personal care, treatment and rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with mental illness who live in an institutional or community-based setting. Under supervision, workers will groom, feed and wash individuals who are unable to take care of themselves. Trainees will 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. New workers will collaborate with other staff, to develop, carry out and record care plans, and in accordance with special instructions, may administer medication. Positions may be physically demanding because aides will need to be prepared to act to insure the health and safety of patients in emergency situations.

Need Proficiency in English

Applicants must be able to read, write and speak English and must be able to follow both written and spoken instructions. Passage of a written test in English only is necessary for employment. Applicants must be in good health and good physical condition. They must be able to lift bedridden and/or incapacitated individuals.

The written exam, which determines placement on a list, tests for knowledge, skills and/or abilities in four areas: dealing with daily situations in an Office of Mental Health setting; observing and recording situations of daily living; understanding and applying written instructional material, and arithmetic for daily living.

Applications are available at www.cs.state.ny.us and should be mailed to Central Recruitment Unit/Exams, Office of Mental Health, 44 Holland Ave., Albany, NY 1229.