BH Security Responder

RWJBarnabas Health; Toms River (NJ); On-site; USD 33,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

RWJBarnabas Health in Central Jersey seeks a Behavioral Health Security Responder to help maintain a safe, secure environment for patients, visitors, staff, and the broader healthcare community. This hourly role reports to a Registered Nurse and emphasizes vigilant, compassionate service.

You will conduct indoor/outdoor patrols, support behavioral health care, and apply de-escalation and crisis-intervention techniques to manage challenging situations while enforcing policies and documenting

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 5+ years in healthcare/inpatient psychiatry required.
• New Jersey Driver's License required; valid insurance coverage eligibility.
• Ability to obtain de-escalation certification within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Conduct indoor and outdoor patrols to maintain safety and security for patients, visitors, and staff.
• Provide compassionate customer service while monitoring for safety concerns.
• Support behavioral health care under RN supervision; assist with patient safety.
• Utilize de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques to manage disruptions.
• Respond to emergencies and participate in crisis de-escalation using trained methods.
• Perform weapon screenings and enforce facility policies and safety standards.
• Monitor access control systems and manage access to designated areas.
• Complete incident reports, data entry, and other administrative tasks.
• Maintain Total Quality Management principles in interactions with all customers.

Skills

De-escalation

Conflict resolution

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Observation skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field

Five years of healthcare/inpatient psychiatric experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title: BH Security Responder

Location: Central Jersey Behavioral

Department Name: Security

Req #: 0000263313

Status: Hourly

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $23.65 - $29.07 per hour

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

Behavioral Health Security Responder serves as an important part of the healthcare team by helping maintain a safe, secure, and supportive environment for behavioral health patients, visitors, staff, and the broader healthcare community. This role combines vigilance, professionalism, compassionate customer service, and behavioral health awareness to support the safety and well-being of patients while protecting people, property, and healthcare operations. Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, the Behavioral Health Security Responder also provides patient support while maintaining a safe environment and assisting with behavioral health needs. The role requires strong de-escalation and conflict resolution skills, sound judgment, and the ability to interact respectfully and effectively with individuals experiencing challenging or crisis situations. The Behavioral Health Security Responder also supports the Behavioral Health Center’s commitment to Total Quality Management by applying those principles in interactions with patients, visitors, staff, and other internal and external customers.

As a Behavioral Health Security Responder, a typical day might include the following:

• Conducting indoor and outdoor patrols and monitoring the facility to help maintain a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, and staff
• Providing professional, compassionate, and respectful customer service while remaining vigilant for potential safety and security concerns
• Supporting the care and safety of behavioral health patients under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse
• Using de-escalation, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention techniques to help safely manage challenging or disruptive situations
• Responding to emergencies and participating in crisis de-escalation using certified training techniques
• Performing weapon screenings and enforcing facility policies and safety standards to help maintain a secure environment
• Monitoring access control systems and managing access to designated areas in accordance with facility procedures
• Communicating effectively with patients, visitors, families, physicians, nurses, staff, and other members of a diverse healthcare community
• Recognizing behavioral and environmental risks and taking appropriate action to protect patients, staff, visitors, and others
• Completing incident reports, data entry, and other administrative tasks using computer systems and Microsoft Office
• Supporting the Behavioral Health Center’s Total Quality Management philosophy by demonstrating professionalism, respect, compassion, and accountability in all interactions
• Adapting to indoor and outdoor security assignments and responding to changing operational needs

The Behavioral Health Security Responder role might be for you if:

• You remain calm, patient, and professional when interacting with individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges or crisis situations
• You understand the importance of balancing security protocols with compassion, dignity, and respect for patients receiving behavioral health care
• You have strong de-escalation, conflict resolution, communication, and interpersonal skills
• You demonstrate sound judgment and can respond appropriately to emergencies, disruptive behavior, and potentially challenging situations
• You are comfortable working closely with Registered Nurses and other members of the healthcare team to support patient safety and care
• You are able to recognize potential behavioral and security risks and take appropriate action while maintaining a respectful approach
• You communicate clearly and effectively with patients, visitors, families, staff, and individuals from diverse backgrounds
• You are comfortable performing weapon screenings, enforcing facility policies, monitoring access control, and maintaining a visible security presence
• You are organized and comfortable with computer systems, data entry, incident reporting, and Microsoft Office
• You are willing and able to work in both indoor and outdoor environments and meet the physical and operational demands of the position
• You are committed to helping create a safe, supportive, and respectful behavioral health environment

This is a Per Diem position with weekend requirements.

To be considered for this opportunity, you must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Criminal Justice, or a related field,ora minimum of five years of relevant experience in a healthcare or inpatient psychiatric setting. Previous law enforcement experience with demonstrated experience in de-escalation and conflict resolution techniques may also qualify. You must possess a valid New Jersey Driver’s License and be eligible to be covered by the organization’s insurance carrier. You must also be able to obtain certification in de-escalation training within 90 days of hire.

At least one year of customer service, security experience, or prior military service is preferred. A minimum of three years of security operations experience with exposure to behavioral health populations is also preferred. Proficiency in keyboarding, data entry, and Microsoft Office Suite, along with strong verbal and written communication skills, is preferred. Bilingual or multilingual language skills are a plus, depending on facility needs.