PRN Mental Health Worker - Behavioral Health ED
Listed compensation
$17.98-$24.81/hr
The week · per this posting
Schedule not stated in this posting — no days, weekends, call or nights given.
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Under the supervision and direction of a Registered Nurse, the Mental Health Worker, Behavioral Health Emergency Services provides direct patient care services to patients with psychiatric disorders in the emergency room setting.
The Mental Health Worker, Behavioral Health Emergency Services must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in the Emergency Room. The Mental Health Worker, Behavioral Health Emergency Services is expected to be able to provide the care needed as described in the department’s policies and procedures, while maintaining the Augusta Health Service Standards.
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- BLS within 30 days of hire
- De-escalation certification within 30 days of hire and annually
Preferred Qualifications
- Associates degree in mental health preferred
- Healthcare and/or Human Services experience preferred
Skills
- Must be able to participate in crisis intervention techniques.
- Received Human Rights Training
- Restraint Competency
- Basic computer skills
- Able to communicate with patients and other staff - verbal, auditory, and in written form using Augusta Health documentation.
- Able to ambulate self, patients, and equipment to facilitate patient safety and patient or equipment transfers.
- Ability to perform detailed assignments, work under pressure, and relate to patients, hospital/medical staff, and visitors professionally.
- Ability to meet physical and mental requirements for job in a fast paced, complex emergency setting
Company Information
Augusta Health is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit, community health system located in Fishersville Virginia in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley.
Augusta Health offers a full continuum of inpatient and outpatient services which includes Augusta Medical Center a 255 bed inpatient facility and Augusta Medical Group which is comprised of 40 practice locations and four urgent care locations.
Equal Opportunity
Augusta Health recruits, hires and promotes qualified candidates for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran or military discharge status, and family medical or genetic information.
Key Responsibilities
The Mental Health Worker provides direct patient care to individuals with psychiatric disorders within the emergency room setting. They are responsible for performing crisis intervention, maintaining patient safety, and documenting care according to hospital standards.
Requirements
Candidates must possess a High School Diploma or equivalent and obtain BLS and de-escalation certifications within 30 days of hire. Preferred qualifications include an Associate degree in mental health and prior experience in healthcare or human services.
Key Skills
Behavioral Health Career Context
The cost-of-living index for Virginia is 101.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$45k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $44k in an average-cost state. 61.1% of Virginia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Behavioral Health pay on WeekdayDoc is down 15.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$44k in purchasing power | Virginia index 101.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Behavioral Health listings in Virginia | 19 active | 789 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| New Behavioral Health listings | 847 in the last 30 days | 531 the 30 days before (+60%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Behavioral Health pay trend | −15.4% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
