Milieu Therapist I​/Casual - Inpatient Mental Health

Ready to launch a meaningful career in Behavioral Health?

UPMC Chautauqua Hospital is seeking a dedicated Casual Milieu Therapist to join our team supporting individuals on their mental health journeys.

As a Milieu Therapist, you’ll play a hands‑on role in a dynamic therapeutic environment, helping patients develop essential life and social skills while encouraging positive behavioral change. You’ll engage directly with a diverse patient population through structured group activities, individualized support, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). Each day brings new challenges, meaningful interactions, and the opportunity to make a real difference.

No prior experience is required. We provide comprehensive training, ongoing support, and the resources you need to succeed! We are hiring for a Casual Milieu Therapist, with day shifts that include weekends and holidays to best meet patient needs.

Step into a role where your work truly matters. Apply today and become part of a team committed to healing, growth, and life‑changing care.

• Maintain competency requirements
• Learn and utilize up‑to‑date technology and practices in delivery of patient care
• Attend a minimum of one unit‑based Institute‑wide in‑service yearly
• Facilitate or co‑facilitate psycho educational and therapeutic activity groups effectively
• Encourage or assist patients to perform activities of daily living
• Accompany patients to out‑of‑building activities and appointments
• Document in the medical record according to established policies
• Manage crisis situations effectively using positive approaches
• Demonstrate effective milieu management skills, which promote positive patient experiences
• Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment
• Provide clinical interventions assessed by client needs
• Coordinate patient groups and activities
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and other activities
• Maintain ongoing communication with appropriate staff
• Perform assigned work in a timely and productive manner
• Complete 1:1 meetings with assigned patients to assess how they are currently doing
• Complete observations of patients as ordered, following all guidelines

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Human Services field such as Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling from an accredited college or university required. Other fields of study may be considered with coursework of at least 12 credits in Human Services.
• Mental Health experience preferred
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
• Relevant group/individual experience with therapeutic and leisure‑oriented activities is strongly preferred
• Must be physically capable of providing direct total physical care to unpredictable behavioral health patients as necessary, including lifting, supporting, running towards or away from areas where problems are occurring and pushing and pulling equipment such as wheelchairs
• May in the course of their job duties be in rooms where medications are stored. No contact with medications is allowed
• In the course of duties may be asked to distribute medications to the nurse at the bedside. Access to medications is limited to the distribution of the medication to the nurse

BLS issued by AHA within 30 days of hire/transfer

• New York Mandated Reporter Due within 90 days of hire or transfer
• New York SCR Application – Due within first week of hire
• CCM training is required within 60 days of hire and annually thereafter
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
• NY Mandated Reporter Training
• NYS Staff Exclusion List (NYSEL)
• NYS Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse (NYSCR)

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran