Entry Level Mental Health Associate Jobs
New grad mental health associate jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or a practicum placement can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Science & Research, with employers like New York State Office of Mental Health, Houston Methodist, and University of Utah hiring at this level now.
Find JobsOverview
Open roles49
Top stateNew York
Top employerNew York State Office of Mental Health
Top cityAlbany, NY
Work type88% On-site
Top industryHealthcare
Showing 5 of 49+ Entry Level Mental Health Associate jobs
Mental Health Technician Assistant, Nights
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Added 1d ago
Houston Methodist
Mental Health Technician Assistant, Nights
Houston, Texas
Added 1d ago
Mental Health Specialist 2
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Added 2d ago
Eliot Community Human Services
Mental Health Specialist 2
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Added 2d ago
Mental Health Technician
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Added 3d ago
Houston Methodist
Mental Health Technician
Houston, Texas
Added 3d ago
Certified Nursing Assistant, General Mental Health, Augusta Campus, East Central Regional Hospital
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Added 3d ago
Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Certified Nursing Assistant, General Mental Health, Augusta Campus, East Central Regional Hospital
East Central, District of Columbia
Added 3d ago
Team Leader, Community Mental Health
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Added 6d ago
Thresholds
Team Leader, Community Mental Health
Chicago, Illinois
Added 6d ago
Added 1d ago
Mental Health Technician Assistant, Nights
Houston Methodist·Houston, Texas
Job functions:
2+ yrs exp.
CPI Certification
Full Time
10,000+ employees
Job Description
At Houston Methodist, the Mental Health Technician/Assistant (MHT/Asst) position demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to communicate effectively and carry out delegated tasks for population-specific patients. This position functions under the guidance and supervision of the registered nurse in meeting the physiological and psychosocial needs of the patient. The MHT/Asst position records data and performs treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures and reports observations and patient problems to the nurse and utilizes therapeutic communication techniques. Overseeing multiple priorities, the MHT/Asst position must be able to perform the duties and functions of a Unit Administrative Assistant position and/or Patient Care Assistant position. This position may involve travel to conduct home visits. Other duties for the MHT/Asst position include serving as a mentor to MHT's, utilizing skills and knowledge, helping to train and orient others.
EDUCATION
EXPERIENCE
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
EXPERIENCE
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONSNon-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
EXPERIENCE
- Must have one of the following: If certified as a CNA or CMA, then minimum two (2) years acute care hospital experience. If not certified, then minimum three (3) years Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant experience or two years of secretarial/office or college/vocational training.
- Three (3) years of experience as a Mental Health Technician in a psychiatric/substance abuse setting with specialized training and previous experience in crisis intervention and prevention in a hospital setting
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
- BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association and
- NVCRISIS - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Instructor (CPI) - Crisis Prevention Institute within 30 days
- CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant - State Licensure or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NAHP) or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NCCT) or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NHA)
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
- Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
- Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
- Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
- Demonstrates knowledge/skill in group facilitation
- Demonstrates solid knowledge of court processes for detaining patients
- Displays strong time management skills
- Demonstrates ability to access information both in the department and within the hospital system to support the department and interprofessional health care team as appropriate
- Demonstrates knowledge and appropriate use of hospital database Possesses basic computer knowledge. Operates multiple computer systems including electronic health records, i.e., Epic, and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, & Excel) to maintain patient information
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Interacts with peers, staff and visitors in a supportive and respectful manner. Encourages open communication to achieve mutual understanding. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional.
- Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner, facilitating treatment goals for the patient.
- Demonstrates teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance to obtain optimal department results. Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitates problem resolution.
- Serves as a Preceptor for new hires to the department or ED float staff.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Performs and assists with patient care activities of daily living (ADL’s), such as elimination, hygiene, nutrition, and progress activity under the direction of a registered nurse. Performs and records diagnostic measurements as determined by skills training and validation. Assists with group facilitation, performs treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies.
- Responds to the phone and call light systems, contacting nursing personnel as appropriate, and follows through with meeting patient needs, responding appropriately to patient behaviors. Assists with transporting of patients.
- Records care administered according to established procedures. Performs clerical duties including maintaining and accurately processing and updating unit and patient records, e.g., transcription of physicians orders, discharge disposition codes, computer data entries, kardexes, medical records, identifications labels, patients’ valuable, etc.
- Organizes the work flow, problem-solves and manages multiple ongoing priorities, with minimal supervision. Contributes towards improving department score for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard, through peer-to-peer accountability.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Performs treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures and reports observations and patient problems to the licensed nurse. Displays the ability to recognize physical and mental deviations in a patient’s condition and reports finding to the registered nurse.
- Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities and contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety.
- Assists with maintaining and cleaning of equipment and supplies. Ensures all patient care equipment has had QC performed as required and is in safe working order prior to use. Reports any malfunctions to management and regularly practices preventive maintenance procedures; calls for service if needed.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Coordinates scheduling of appointments with the healthcare team and other departments to achieve cost-effective and positive patient outcomes. Maintains and accurately processes records, when applicable.
- Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, conscientious of how time is used. Contributes towards department financial targets on unit-based scorecard through timely documentation of care, minimizing incidental overtime, optimizing efficiency and other areas according to department specifications.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Contributes in the development of department schedules or other assigned department projects and shared governance activities. Assumes responsibility for growth and development by participating in in-services programs and continuing education. Participate in critical thinking scenarios.
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
-
WORK ATTIRE
- Uniform: No
- Scrubs: Yes
- Business professional: No
- Other (department approved): No
- Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
- On Call* No
- May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
- May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes
ON-CALL*
TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**
EDUCATION
- High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
EXPERIENCE
- Must have one of the following: If certified as a CNA or CMA, then minimum two (2) years acute care hospital experience. If not certified, then minimum three (3) years Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant experience or two years of secretarial/office or college/vocational training.
- Three (3) years of experience as a Mental Health Technician in a psychiatric/substance abuse setting with specialized training and previous experience in crisis intervention and prevention in a hospital setting
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
- BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association and
- NVCRISIS - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Instructor (CPI) - Crisis Prevention Institute within 30 days
- CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant - State Licensure or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NAHP) or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NCCT) or CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NHA)
Company Profile:
Houston Methodist West Hospital is committed to leading medicine in West Houston, Katy and surrounding communities by delivering the Houston Methodist standard of exceptional safety, quality, service and innovation. The growing campus offers access to the most innovative medical and surgical care available, including cardiology and cardiovascular surgery; neurology and neurosurgery; comprehensive cancer care; orthopedics and sports medicine; gastroenterology; bariatrics; childbirth center with level III NICU; emergency care; and advanced imaging.
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Houston Methodist
Mental Health Technician Assistant, Nights
Houston, Texas
Added 1d ago10,000+ employees
Job functions:
2+ yrs exp.
CPI Certification
Full Time
Job Description
At Houston Methodist, the Mental Health Technician/Assistant (MHT/Asst) position demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to communicate effectively and carry out delegated tasks for population-specific patients. This position functions under the guidance and supervision of the registered nurse in meeting the physiological and psychosocial needs of the patient. The MHT/Asst position records data and performs treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures and reports observations and patient problems to the nurse and utilizes therapeutic communication techniques. Overseeing multiple priorities, the MHT/Asst position must be able to perform the duties and functions of a Unit Administrative Assistant position and/or Patient Care Assistant position. This position may involve travel to conduct home visits. Other duties for the MHT/Asst position include serving as a mentor to MHT's, utilizing skills and knowledge, helping to train and orient others.
EDUCATION
EXPERIENCE
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
EXPERIENCE
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONSNon-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
EXPERIENCE
- Must have one of the following: If certified as a CNA or CMA, then minimum two (2) years acute care hospital experience. If not certified, then minimum three (3) years Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant experience or two years of secretarial/office or college/vocational training.
- Three (3) years of experience as a Mental Health Technician in a psychiatric/substance abuse setting with specialized training and previous experience in crisis intervention and prevention in a hospital setting
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
- BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association and
- NVCRISIS - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Instructor (CPI) - Crisis Prevention Institute within 30 days
- CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant - State Licensure or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NAHP) or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NCCT) or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NHA)
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
- Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
- Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
- Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
- Demonstrates knowledge/skill in group facilitation
- Demonstrates solid knowledge of court processes for detaining patients
- Displays strong time management skills
- Demonstrates ability to access information both in the department and within the hospital system to support the department and interprofessional health care team as appropriate
- Demonstrates knowledge and appropriate use of hospital database Possesses basic computer knowledge. Operates multiple computer systems including electronic health records, i.e., Epic, and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, & Excel) to maintain patient information
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Interacts with peers, staff and visitors in a supportive and respectful manner. Encourages open communication to achieve mutual understanding. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional.
- Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner, facilitating treatment goals for the patient.
- Demonstrates teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance to obtain optimal department results. Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitates problem resolution.
- Serves as a Preceptor for new hires to the department or ED float staff.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Performs and assists with patient care activities of daily living (ADL’s), such as elimination, hygiene, nutrition, and progress activity under the direction of a registered nurse. Performs and records diagnostic measurements as determined by skills training and validation. Assists with group facilitation, performs treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies.
- Responds to the phone and call light systems, contacting nursing personnel as appropriate, and follows through with meeting patient needs, responding appropriately to patient behaviors. Assists with transporting of patients.
- Records care administered according to established procedures. Performs clerical duties including maintaining and accurately processing and updating unit and patient records, e.g., transcription of physicians orders, discharge disposition codes, computer data entries, kardexes, medical records, identifications labels, patients’ valuable, etc.
- Organizes the work flow, problem-solves and manages multiple ongoing priorities, with minimal supervision. Contributes towards improving department score for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard, through peer-to-peer accountability.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Performs treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures and reports observations and patient problems to the licensed nurse. Displays the ability to recognize physical and mental deviations in a patient’s condition and reports finding to the registered nurse.
- Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities and contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety.
- Assists with maintaining and cleaning of equipment and supplies. Ensures all patient care equipment has had QC performed as required and is in safe working order prior to use. Reports any malfunctions to management and regularly practices preventive maintenance procedures; calls for service if needed.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Coordinates scheduling of appointments with the healthcare team and other departments to achieve cost-effective and positive patient outcomes. Maintains and accurately processes records, when applicable.
- Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, conscientious of how time is used. Contributes towards department financial targets on unit-based scorecard through timely documentation of care, minimizing incidental overtime, optimizing efficiency and other areas according to department specifications.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Contributes in the development of department schedules or other assigned department projects and shared governance activities. Assumes responsibility for growth and development by participating in in-services programs and continuing education. Participate in critical thinking scenarios.
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
-
WORK ATTIRE
- Uniform: No
- Scrubs: Yes
- Business professional: No
- Other (department approved): No
- Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
- On Call* No
- May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
- May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes
ON-CALL*
TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**
EDUCATION
- High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
EXPERIENCE
- Must have one of the following: If certified as a CNA or CMA, then minimum two (2) years acute care hospital experience. If not certified, then minimum three (3) years Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant experience or two years of secretarial/office or college/vocational training.
- Three (3) years of experience as a Mental Health Technician in a psychiatric/substance abuse setting with specialized training and previous experience in crisis intervention and prevention in a hospital setting
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
- BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association and
- NVCRISIS - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Instructor (CPI) - Crisis Prevention Institute within 30 days
- CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant - State Licensure or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NAHP) or
- CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NCCT) or CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NHA)
Company Profile:
Houston Methodist West Hospital is committed to leading medicine in West Houston, Katy and surrounding communities by delivering the Houston Methodist standard of exceptional safety, quality, service and innovation. The growing campus offers access to the most innovative medical and surgical care available, including cardiology and cardiovascular surgery; neurology and neurosurgery; comprehensive cancer care; orthopedics and sports medicine; gastroenterology; bariatrics; childbirth center with level III NICU; emergency care; and advanced imaging.
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Find JobsEntry Level Mental Health Associate Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services34
- Education5
- Science & Research2
Entry Level Mental Health Associate Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level mental health associate job?
Start by highlighting any hands-on experience you have, including internships, practicums, volunteer crisis line work, or supervised clinical hours from your degree program. Employers at this level prioritize candidates who can demonstrate direct client interaction and a working knowledge of documentation practices. A relevant bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or counseling, paired with any state-required certifications, gives you a strong foundation to compete.
Which companies hire entry level mental health associates?
Companies hiring entry level mental health associates right now include New York State Office of Mental Health, Houston Methodist, and University of Utah, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring tends to come from community mental health centers, residential treatment facilities, behavioral health clinics, and hospital systems that maintain active pipelines for new and recent graduates.
Are there remote entry level mental health associate jobs?
Yes, though most positions at this stage are on-site given the hands-on nature of direct client care. About 12% of entry level mental health associate openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those roles typically involve telehealth services, care coordination, or administrative case management rather than in-person therapeutic work.
Are these new grad mental health associate jobs?
Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior roles specifically suited to candidates starting out in the field. A new grad friendly posting typically welcomes zero to two years of experience, accepts internships or practicum hours in place of paid work history, and does not require licensure, making them accessible to candidates finishing a bachelor's or master's program.
Which industries hire the most entry level mental health associates?
Entry Level mental health associate roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive consistent hiring at the entry level because they operate high-volume client service models that rely on associates to handle direct support, intake coordination, and case documentation under clinical supervision.