Mental Health Screener

RWJBarnabas Health; Belleville (NJ); On-site; USD 41,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

RWJBarnabas Health's Emergency Screening team at Clara Maass Medical Center is hiring a Mental Health Screener to provide rapid crisis assessments and connect patients with the right level of care. In this hourly, night-shift role, you will perform screening assessments, document findings, maintain accurate records, and answer the 24-hour crisis hotline with compassion and professionalism.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's in Psychology, current Certified Screener credential, and 1–2 years in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a field like Psychology.
• Current certification as a Certified Screener.
• 1–2 years of mental health crisis screening experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform screening assessments to determine appropriate services or disposition according to patient needs.
• Complete screening documents with descriptions of mental illness and risk, following guidelines.
• Prepare and maintain accurate records and reports, ensuring paperwork is complete before shift end.
• Answer the 24-hour crisis hotline to provide information, referrals, and rapid responses.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Empathy

Record-keeping

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology

Job description

Job Title: Mental Health Screener

Location: Clara Maass Medical Center

Department Name: Emergency Screening

Req #: 0000267031

Status: Hourly

Shift: Night

Pay Range: $35.57 - $35.57 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.

Mental Health Screener

At RWJBarnabas Health, our Emergency Screening teams work collaboratively to provide high-quality, compassionate crisis intervention when our communities need it most. By delivering rapid assessments and connecting vulnerable patients to the right level of care, our screeners serve as a vital lifeline. We view our Mental Health Screeners as a crucial component of our care plan, redefining the patient experience through teamwork, empathy, and excellence. We hope you are excited by the opportunity to join a dedicated, supportive team that navigates complex crises together!

As a Mental Health Screener, a typical day might include the following:

• Performing screening assessments to determine the most appropriate services or disposition according to the patient's clinical needs, ensuring consideration of the least restrictive alternatives.
• Completing screening documents with clear descriptions of patient mental illness and dangerousness due to mental illness, strictly following the Screening Law and guidelines from the DMHS Screener Certification training.
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records and reports in a timely manner, ensuring all paperwork is completed prior to the end of each shift.
• Answering the 24-hour crisis hotline immediately to provide information, referrals, and rapid emergency responses that conform to established screening guidelines.

This Role Might Be For You If:

• You are deeply passionate about providing a safe, therapeutic, and empathetic healthcare experience for individuals in acute psychiatric distress.
• You thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments and can make critical, legally-grounded care decisions under pressure.
• You set a high bar for yourself and your team to maintain accurate, timely records and coordinate seamless handoffs before the end of your shift.
• You treat every caller and patient with profound kindness, answering emergency lines promptly with excellent customer care.
• You believe that true healing begins with meeting patients where they are during their most vulnerable moments.

To be considered for this opportunity, you must have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a required field (e.g., Psychology).
• Current certification as a Certified Screener.
• One (1) to two (2) years of experience in a mental health, crisis, or emergency screening setting (preferred).