Entry Level Psychiatric Counselor Jobs
New grad psychiatric counselor jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or a clinical placement can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Government & Public Sector, with employers like Northern Light Health, University of Rochester, and New York State Office of Mental Health hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 181+ Entry Level Psychiatric Counselor jobs
INTRODUCTION
UC Health is hiring a Psych Tech-Psychiatric Therapeutic Program Worker (TPW) for the 6 Ridgeway Psychiatry for the varies shift at UC Medical Center.
This is a 20 bed, mixed Geriatric/Psychiatric co-ed unit which focuses on the treatment of older adults, many of whom are 55 and older, with primary psychiatric diagnoses.
About University of Cincinnati Medical Center
As part of the Clifton Campus of UC Health, Greater Cincinnati’s academic health system, University of Cincinnati Medical Center has served Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky for nearly 200 years. Each year, hundreds of thousands of patients receive care from our world-renowned clinicians and care team. Our experts utilize the most advanced medical knowledge and technology available, providing a level of specialty and subspecialty medical care that is not available anywhere else in Greater Cincinnati.
UC Medical Center is also home to medical breakthroughs- our physician experts conduct basic, translational and clinical research, leading to new therapies and care protocols, and connecting patients to the latest and most advanced treatments. UC Medical Center houses Greater Cincinnati’s only Level I adult trauma center, which includes the right mix of specialist and medical resources available at a moment’s notice for a wide variety of the most complex medical conditions and injuries.
Become part of the only Psychiatric Unit in Southwest Ohio where you can gain exposure to a variety of diagnosis in behavioral health. You will also have the opportunity to see things you won’t see anywhere else and the chance to treat patients that other institutions don’t accept.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Psychiatric Therapeutic Program Worker (TPW), in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team, is responsible for maintaining a therapeutic milieu and a safe environment for all psychiatric patients on the unit. As a member of the patient care team, the TPW performs selected duties under the direction of the Registered Nurse, to ensure quality patient care.
- Engages in population appropriate communication.
- Has knowledge of growth and development milestones and tasks.
- Gives clear instructions to patients/family regarding treatment.
- Involves family/guardian in the assessment, initial treatment and continuing care of the patient.
- Identifies any physical limitations of the patient and deploys intervention when necessary.
- Recognizes and responds appropriately to patients/families with behavioral health problems.
- Interprets population related data and plans care appropriately.
- Identifies and responds appropriately to different needs resulting from unique psychological needs or those associated with religious/cultural norms.
- Performs treatments, administers medication or operates equipment safely.
- Recognizes and responds to signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.
- Establishes a therapeutic milieu and provides a safe environment for all psychiatric patients.
- Monitors the unit for safety at all times, maintaining a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, managing patient's behavior, preparing room for patient's arrival, orienting patients to the unit, checking belongings for hazardous objects or weapons, securing all belongings in designated areas, providing routine bed checks and securing areas.
- Provides clinical duties as directed by Registered Nurse. These assignments may include but are not limited to: NIPPAS for vital signs and daily weights, phlebotomy, EKG, finger sticks, assistance with feedings, personal hygiene/grooming, ADL's, collecting meal trays and returning to dietary, cleaning dining area, providing clean linen and disposing of soiled linen, and assisting with inventory control and distribution of supplies and equipment in the clinical areas and hallways.
- Co-leads treatment groups, i.e., Goals Group, Exercise Group, etc. Participates, organizes and directs social and therapeutic leisure time activities, i.e., Bingo, card playing, chess and activities in the Recreation Room. Observes individual behaviors and group interactions and reports any major change in patient's behavior and/or medical condition to the RN.
- Initiates basic psychiatric interventions and provides appropriate redirection as needed. Uses age appropriate communication skills. Provides non-punitive limit setting, appropriate modeling and reinforcement as needed to meet the patient's emotional needs. Assists in physical crisis management as needed and/or assigned.
- Participates in quality improvement activities. Attends staff meetings, in-service sessions, and crisis intervention programs. Performs other duties as delegated or directed by RN, Clinical Manager or Nursing Supervisor.
- Transports patients to X-ray, EEG, MRI, clinic appointments, etc.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum Required: High School diploma/GED.
- Preferred: Relevant college coursework.
- STNA certification preferred or college-level coursework in nursing/psychiatry/social work.
- Minimum Required: Six months direct patient care experience in psychiatric setting or equivalent college-level coursework in nursing/psychology/social work.
- Preferred: Specialized training in phlebotomy, vital signs, and assistance with activities of daily living experience.
- For employees working in UCMC Psychiatric Services, NCI-APS (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention with Advanced Physical Skills) Certification must be obtained within 90 days of hire.
Join our team as a psychiatric technician in our Psychiatric Emergency department and work alongside the best and brightest clinical teams collaborating toward our common purpose: to advance healing and reduce suffering.
Join our team to BE UC Health. Be Extraordinary. Be Supported. Be Hope. Apply Today!
About UC Health
UC Health is an integrated academic health system serving Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. In partnership with the University of Cincinnati, UC Health combines clinical expertise and compassion with research and teaching—a combination that provides patients with options for even the most complex situations. Members of UC Health include: UC Medical Center, West Chester Hospital, University of Cincinnati Physicians and UC Health Ambulatory Services (with more than 900 board-certified clinicians and surgeons), Lindner Center of HOPE and several specialized institutes including: UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. Many UC Health locations have received national recognition for outstanding quality and patient satisfaction.
At UC Health, we're proud to have the best and brightest teams and clinicians collaborating toward our common purpose: to advance healing and reduce suffering.
UC Health is an EEO employer.
INTRODUCTION
UC Health is hiring a Psych Tech-Psychiatric Therapeutic Program Worker (TPW) for the 6 Ridgeway Psychiatry for the varies shift at UC Medical Center.
This is a 20 bed, mixed Geriatric/Psychiatric co-ed unit which focuses on the treatment of older adults, many of whom are 55 and older, with primary psychiatric diagnoses.
About University of Cincinnati Medical Center
As part of the Clifton Campus of UC Health, Greater Cincinnati’s academic health system, University of Cincinnati Medical Center has served Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky for nearly 200 years. Each year, hundreds of thousands of patients receive care from our world-renowned clinicians and care team. Our experts utilize the most advanced medical knowledge and technology available, providing a level of specialty and subspecialty medical care that is not available anywhere else in Greater Cincinnati.
UC Medical Center is also home to medical breakthroughs- our physician experts conduct basic, translational and clinical research, leading to new therapies and care protocols, and connecting patients to the latest and most advanced treatments. UC Medical Center houses Greater Cincinnati’s only Level I adult trauma center, which includes the right mix of specialist and medical resources available at a moment’s notice for a wide variety of the most complex medical conditions and injuries.
Become part of the only Psychiatric Unit in Southwest Ohio where you can gain exposure to a variety of diagnosis in behavioral health. You will also have the opportunity to see things you won’t see anywhere else and the chance to treat patients that other institutions don’t accept.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Psychiatric Therapeutic Program Worker (TPW), in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team, is responsible for maintaining a therapeutic milieu and a safe environment for all psychiatric patients on the unit. As a member of the patient care team, the TPW performs selected duties under the direction of the Registered Nurse, to ensure quality patient care.
- Engages in population appropriate communication.
- Has knowledge of growth and development milestones and tasks.
- Gives clear instructions to patients/family regarding treatment.
- Involves family/guardian in the assessment, initial treatment and continuing care of the patient.
- Identifies any physical limitations of the patient and deploys intervention when necessary.
- Recognizes and responds appropriately to patients/families with behavioral health problems.
- Interprets population related data and plans care appropriately.
- Identifies and responds appropriately to different needs resulting from unique psychological needs or those associated with religious/cultural norms.
- Performs treatments, administers medication or operates equipment safely.
- Recognizes and responds to signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.
- Establishes a therapeutic milieu and provides a safe environment for all psychiatric patients.
- Monitors the unit for safety at all times, maintaining a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, managing patient's behavior, preparing room for patient's arrival, orienting patients to the unit, checking belongings for hazardous objects or weapons, securing all belongings in designated areas, providing routine bed checks and securing areas.
- Provides clinical duties as directed by Registered Nurse. These assignments may include but are not limited to: NIPPAS for vital signs and daily weights, phlebotomy, EKG, finger sticks, assistance with feedings, personal hygiene/grooming, ADL's, collecting meal trays and returning to dietary, cleaning dining area, providing clean linen and disposing of soiled linen, and assisting with inventory control and distribution of supplies and equipment in the clinical areas and hallways.
- Co-leads treatment groups, i.e., Goals Group, Exercise Group, etc. Participates, organizes and directs social and therapeutic leisure time activities, i.e., Bingo, card playing, chess and activities in the Recreation Room. Observes individual behaviors and group interactions and reports any major change in patient's behavior and/or medical condition to the RN.
- Initiates basic psychiatric interventions and provides appropriate redirection as needed. Uses age appropriate communication skills. Provides non-punitive limit setting, appropriate modeling and reinforcement as needed to meet the patient's emotional needs. Assists in physical crisis management as needed and/or assigned.
- Participates in quality improvement activities. Attends staff meetings, in-service sessions, and crisis intervention programs. Performs other duties as delegated or directed by RN, Clinical Manager or Nursing Supervisor.
- Transports patients to X-ray, EEG, MRI, clinic appointments, etc.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum Required: High School diploma/GED.
- Preferred: Relevant college coursework.
- STNA certification preferred or college-level coursework in nursing/psychiatry/social work.
- Minimum Required: Six months direct patient care experience in psychiatric setting or equivalent college-level coursework in nursing/psychology/social work.
- Preferred: Specialized training in phlebotomy, vital signs, and assistance with activities of daily living experience.
- For employees working in UCMC Psychiatric Services, NCI-APS (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention with Advanced Physical Skills) Certification must be obtained within 90 days of hire.
Join our team as a psychiatric technician in our Psychiatric Emergency department and work alongside the best and brightest clinical teams collaborating toward our common purpose: to advance healing and reduce suffering.
Join our team to BE UC Health. Be Extraordinary. Be Supported. Be Hope. Apply Today!
About UC Health
UC Health is an integrated academic health system serving Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. In partnership with the University of Cincinnati, UC Health combines clinical expertise and compassion with research and teaching—a combination that provides patients with options for even the most complex situations. Members of UC Health include: UC Medical Center, West Chester Hospital, University of Cincinnati Physicians and UC Health Ambulatory Services (with more than 900 board-certified clinicians and surgeons), Lindner Center of HOPE and several specialized institutes including: UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. Many UC Health locations have received national recognition for outstanding quality and patient satisfaction.
At UC Health, we're proud to have the best and brightest teams and clinicians collaborating toward our common purpose: to advance healing and reduce suffering.
UC Health is an EEO employer.
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Find JobsEntry Level Psychiatric Counselor Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Northern Light Health27
- University of Rochester16
- New York State Office of Mental Health15
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission11
- University of Utah10
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services122
- Education32
- Government & Public Sector12
- Non-Profit & Social Services7
- Consulting & Professional Services6
Entry Level Psychiatric Counselor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level psychiatric counselor job?
Start by targeting employers who explicitly welcome new graduates, such as community mental health centers, hospital systems, and outpatient clinics. Completed clinical hours, supervised internships, and a relevant master's degree in counseling or psychology give candidates the strongest edge at this stage. Obtaining or pursuing licensure, such as an LPC or LMHC, also signals readiness to employers evaluating entry level applicants.
Which companies hire entry level psychiatric counselors?
Companies hiring entry level psychiatric counselors right now include Northern Light Health, University of Rochester, and New York State Office of Mental Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring tends to come from behavioral health organizations, hospital networks, and community mental health agencies that maintain steady caseloads and actively onboard new graduates throughout the year.
Are there remote entry level psychiatric counselor jobs?
Yes, though most entry level psychiatric counselor roles are on-site or hybrid given the hands-on nature of clinical work. About 8% of entry level psychiatric counselor openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with telehealth platforms and virtual outpatient services driving most of the fully remote opportunities available to candidates at this stage.
Are these new grad psychiatric counselor jobs?
Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior psychiatric counselor roles. A posting is typically new grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, counts supervised internships or clinical placements toward the requirement, or accepts a portfolio of practicum work in lieu of full-time employment history. Searching by entry level or new grad filters surfaces the most relevant openings.
Which industries hire the most entry level psychiatric counselors?
Entry Level psychiatric counselor roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Government & Public Sector, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at the entry level because they maintain high patient volumes, receive public funding tied to staffing requirements, and typically have structured supervision programs that support newly licensed or pre-licensed counselors.