Mental Health Associate

RWJBarnabas Health; Elizabeth (NJ); On-site; USD 30,000 - 43,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off including Vacation, Holl

Retirement Plans

Medical and Prescription DrugInsurance

Dental and Vision Insurance

Disability and Life Insurance

Job summary

RWJBarnabas Health seeks a Mental Health Associate for the Trinitas Regional Medical Center Emergency Screening unit, located in Elizabeth, NJ. This per diem, day shift role provides direct patient care, emotional support, and safety monitoring for individuals in acute mental health crises under RN/MD supervision.

Responsibilities include phlebotomy, EKGs, group facilitation, and thorough documentation to support multidisciplinary care plans while maintaining a safe therapeutic milieu.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or active MHA certification.
• Active CPR certification within six months of hire.
• Strong interpersonal communication to document patient data and report changes to medical staff.
• Proven resilience and professional demeanor in high-stress crisis environments.

Responsibilities

• Direct Clinical Care: provide nursing-assisted care under RN supervision, record vital signs and report changes.
• Technical Medical Tasks: perform venipuncture and process specimens while conducting EKGs.
• Therapeutic Milieu Support: lead activities and group sessions to promote coping and social interaction.
• Unit Safety & Compliance: maintain a clean, secure environment and conduct room searches per policy.
• Documentation & Treatment Planning: chart behavioral data and contribute to care plans.
• Admission & Visitation Supervision: assist admissions/transfers and supervise visitors.
• Stock & Mentorship Support: manage inventory and precept new staff and students.

Skills

CPR certification

Interpersonal communication

Resilience under pressure

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Behavioral Health, or related field

AIMS Mental Health Association (MHA) certification

Job description

• Per Diem (PD)

Req #: 0000255994 Category: Behavioral and Mental Health Status: Per Diem Shift: Day Facility: Trinitas Regional Medical Center Department: Emergency Screening Pay Range: $26.39 per hour Location: 655 E. Jersey Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07206

Job Title: Mental Health Associate

Location: NEW POINT CAMPUS

Department Name: Emergency Screening

Req #: 0000255994

Status: Hourly

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $26.39 - $26.39 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.

Job Overview

Join our dedicated behavioral health team at Trinitas Regional Medical Center as a Mental Health Associate within our Emergency Screening department. In this clinical support role, you will provide vital direct patient care, emotional support, and safety monitoring for individuals navigating acute mental health or emotional conditions under the direction of nurses and physicians. Operating as an integral member of the psychiatric crisis team, you will balance technical clinical tasks like phlebotomy and EKGs with therapeutic group facilitation to ensure a safe, healing environment.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Behavioral Health, or a related field, OR an active AIMS Mental Health Association (MHA) certification.
• Ability to obtain an active American Heart Association CPR certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Strong baseline of interpersonal communication skills to effectively document patient data and verbally report changes to the medical staff.
• Proven resilience and ability to maintain a professional demeanor while interacting frequently with patients in high-stress crisis environments.

Preferred

• Prior clinical experience or training working directly with acute psychiatric and/or substance abuse patients.
• Academic background or active interest in psychology, sociology, or human development frameworks.
• Proven experience or training in non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.

Scheduling Requirements

• Per Diem (PD)

Essential Functions

• Direct Clinical Care: Provide standard nursing care delegated by the Registered Nurse, including measuring and recording vital signs, recognizing abnormal data, and immediately reporting clinical changes to the nurse in charge.
• Technical Medical Tasks: Safely perform venipuncture (drawing blood) and collect, label, and process patient specimens (blood, urine, sputum, stool) while efficiently executing diagnostic EKGs.
• Therapeutic Milieu Support: Plan, lead, and participate in recreational activities, patient-staff meetings, and therapeutic group sessions to promote positive client coping skills and social interaction.
• Unit Safety & Compliance: Maintain a clean, secure, and comfortable patient environment; conduct thorough room and body searches as assigned by the professional nurse in strict accordance with hospital policy.
• Documentation & Treatment Planning: Record and chart pertinent patient behavioral information daily in the medical record, and contribute actively to the formulation and execution of multidisciplinary care plans.
• Admission & Visitation Supervision: Participate in patient admission, transfer, and hospital orientation workflows; supervise patient interactions with family members during visitations and provide supportive intervention as needed.
• Stock & Mentorship Support: Procure and maintain inventory stock and par levels of linens and clinical supplies; assist in orienting and precepting new employees and students as requested.

Benefits And Perks

• Paid Time Off including Vacation, Holidays, and Sick Time
• Retirement Plans
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Disability and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Planning Support
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Community and Volunteer Opportunities
• Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, and Verizon
• ….and more!

Choosing RWJBarnabas Health!

RWJBarnabas Health is the premier health care destination providing patient-centered, high-quality academic medicine in a compassionate and equitable manner, while delivering a best-in-class work experience to every member of the team. We honor and appreciate the privilege of creating and sustaining healthier communities, one person and one community at a time. As the leading academic health system in New Jersey, we advance innovative strategies in high-quality patient care, education, and research to address both the clinical and social determinants of health.

RWJBarnabas Health aims to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey—whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer