Kindred Healthcare·Palestine, Texas
Provide supportive care to inpatient behavioral health patients by assisting with daily living activities and maintaining a safe therapeutic environment. Monitor patient behavior, document progress, and intervene in crisis situations under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
Join Palestine Regional Medical Center in Palestine, TX, a 150-bed hospital that has recently earned the prestigious Leapfrog “A” Safety Grade, the Platinum Award for quality from parent-company ScionHealth, and certification as a Chest Pain Center and Level IV Trauma facility.
Palestine Regional provides a range of comprehensive care, including the latest in diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services, both on an inpatient and outpatient basis.
Palestine Regional is an integral part of the local community, giving you the chance to grow your career while making a real impact close to home.
Job Summary The Mental Health Worker provides supportive care to patients receiving inpatient behavioral health services.
Working under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, the Mental Health Worker assists with activities of daily living, maintains a safe and therapeutic environment, monitors patient behavior, and supports treatment interventions.
This role contributes to the overall care team by observing, reporting, and documenting patient progress, assisting in crisis intervention, and participating in therapeutic activities designed to promote recovery.
Essential Functions Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) including hygiene, nutrition, and mobility.
Observe patients and promptly report changes in behavior, mood, or physical condition to the nursing team.
Maintain a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment.
Monitor patients for safety, including suicide risk precautions, elopement risk, and use of restraints per policy.
Support therapeutic programming by encouraging patient participation and assisting in group activities.
De-escalate and intervene in crisis situations using approved techniques to maintain safety.
Accurately document patient care and progress in the medical record.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary treatment team to support individualized treatment goals.
Provide age-appropriate care across the lifespan in accordance with hospital policy.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations Ability to interact therapeutically with patients while maintaining professional boundaries.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Knowledge of behavioral health principles, safety practices, and patient rights.
Ability to manage stressful situations and respond calmly in emergencies.
Team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills.
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and compliance with regulations.
Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear.
Frequent reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting of patients or objects up to 50 pounds.
Occasional stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
Ability to visually and audibly monitor patient behavior and safety needs.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Work performed in an inpatient behavioral health unit with potential exposure to patients experiencing psychiatric crises.
May involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials, following standard precautions.
Noise level may be moderate to loud depending on patient activity.
Requires flexibility in scheduling, including weekends, holidays, and varying shifts to meet patient care needs.
Requires a High School Diploma or equivalent, with a degree in Psychology or Social Work preferred. Must obtain BCLS and NCI certifications and possess the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Market context
Behavioral-health openings in Texas often favor licensed clinicians because employers need candidates who can step into patient-facing care with minimal onboarding. Competition is shaped by the required master’s degree, Texas license, and preferred psychiatric experience, plus CPR and CPI certifications. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this page to save research time, then confirm your license type and highlight any psychiatric or crisis-care experience in your application.