Psychiatric Aide, Psych Acute

Job Description

Join Hilo Benioff Medical Center and be part of a team that proudly cares for our friends, family, and neighbors across East Hawaiʻi.

Join our Behavioral Health team and make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients experiencing acute mental health needs. As a Psychiatric Aide, you will provide compassionate, hands‑on care in a therapeutic inpatient psychiatric setting, working collaboratively with nurses and other healthcare professionals to support patient safety, recovery, and overall well‑wellness. This role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about behavioral health and committed to delivering respectful, patient-centered care.

• Provide direct patient care, including assisting with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, and personal hygiene), monitoring vital signs, and observing patients' physical and emotional status.
• Orient newly admitted patients to the unit, establish therapeutic rapport, and promote a safe, supportive, and recovery-focused environment.
• Assist in implementing individualized treatment plans by supporting recreational, therapeutic, and diversional activities that encourage patient engagement and rehabilitation.
• Observe, document, and report changes in patients' behavior or condition to the nursing team, and participate in treatment planning and daily interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Maintain a safe and secure unit by monitoring patient behavior, enforcing unit policies, identifying safety hazards, monitoring for contraband, and assisting with crisis intervention and emergency procedures when needed.
• Support patient admissions, transfers, discharges, transportation, and other assigned duties while maintaining patient dignity, confidentiality, and quality of care.

Experience

• Entry Level: One (1) year of experience in a hospital or other medically oriented healthcare setting providing direct patient care, observing and reporting patient conditions, and implementing care or treatment procedures.
• Full Performance Level: In addition to the above, one (1) year of experience in a behavioral health or psychiatric facility providing therapeutic patient care under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

Education, Certification, & Licensure

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification required within six (6) months of hire.
• Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification is preferred.
• Crisis intervention certifications such as CPI, Mandt, PART, or CPMR are highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of basic nursing care, infection prevention, patient rights, medical terminology, and behavioral health principles.
• Ability to establish therapeutic relationships with psychiatric patients, recognize and report changes in patient condition, apply de‑escalation techniques, and work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Strong communication, observation, documentation, and interpersonal skills with a commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care.

As the Big Island’s leading providers of inpatient and outpatient care, the East Hawaii Region of Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation (HHSC), consisting of Hilo Benioff Medical Center, Honoka'a Hospital, Ka′u Hospital, Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, East Hawaii Medical Group and East Hawaii Health Pharmacy, delivers a full range of services and programs. Our three hospitals include 290 beds and more than 1,900 employees.

Our medical staff is comprised of 250 physicians, physician assistants and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, representing 33 specialties. East Hawaii Health is our network of clinics offering primary and specialty care. Hilo Benioff Medical Center functions as a Level III Trauma Center, which includes the second busiest emergency room in the state, providing 24‑hour care and serving more than 50,000 patients annually.

Honoka'a Hospital and Ka′u Hospital are designated as Critical Access Hospitals. To learn more about the East Hawaii Region, please watch our Video Yearbook or visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). or…