Mental Health Screener

RWJBarnabas Health; Somerville (NJ); On-site; USD 34,440 - 52,348; Part time

Job summary

RWJBarnabas Health in New Jersey is seeking a Mental Health Screener to conduct rapid assessments and crisis interventions for patients in psychiatric emergencies. The role emphasizes teamwork, empathy, and safe disposition decisions.

The position supports emergency screening teams across PES, NPC, or WSC with night shifts (11pm–7:30am), 24 hours per week in a 3-day pattern, requiring licenses and BLS, and DMHS eligibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 3 years of psychiatric experience or enrollment in a Master's program with 2 years of psychiatric experience.
• At least 1 year of experience in crisis or emergency screening.
• Valid NJ driver's license, BLS certification, and DMHS certification eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Screen adults and children in psychiatric emergencies to determine appropriate care and disposition.
• Consult with psychiatrists and ER teams to coordinate safe patient handoffs.
• Answer 24-hour crisis line and provide rapid emergency guidance.
• Assess need for hospitalization and complete state screening documents.
• Support mobile screeners and prioritize community outreaches by acuity.
• Collaborate with units and hospitals to manage psychiatric consultations.
• Document assessments and suicide risk evaluations in AVATAR system.
• Provide guidance to community agencies and hospitals on crisis management.

Skills

Crisis/emergency screening experience

BLS certification

Valid NJ driver's license

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Enrolled in Master's program with 2 years of psychiatric experience

DMHS certification eligibility

Job description

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

Are you passionate about making a critical difference for individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies? 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:

• Screening adults and children experiencing psychiatric emergencies at PES, NPC, or WSC to determine the most appropriate, least restrictive level of care.
• Consulting with psychiatrists, medical staff, and emergency room teams to formulate safe patient dispositions.
• Answering the 24-hour crisis "Hotline" immediately to provide rapid emergency responses and guidance.
• Assessing patients for voluntary or involuntary hospitalization and accurately completing all state screening and legal commitment documents.
• Assisting mobile screeners by gathering patient data and prioritizing community outreaches based on acuity.
• Collaborating with medical units, voluntary psychiatric floors, and affiliated emergency rooms to manage psychiatric consultations.
• Completing thorough clinical documentation in AVATAR, including assessments, suicide risk evaluations, and internal handoffs.
• Providing vital consultation to community agencies and hospitals regarding the management of emergency psychiatric patients.

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 strong communication and coordinate seamless handoffs during critical situations.
• 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:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, plus 3 years of prior experience in a psychiatric setting or enrolled in a Master's program with 2 years of prior experience in a psychiatric setting.
• At least one (1) year of the required experience must be specifically within a crisis or emergency screening setting.
• Must possess and maintain a valid NJ state driver's license.
• BLS Certification through American Heart Association required.
• Eligibility for certification as a Mental Health Screener by the State of New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Hospitals (DMHS). You will be required to maintain this active state certification throughout your employment.
• Must be able to work the night shift: 11pm - 7:30am.
• Part Time schedule: 24 hours, 3 days per week.
• Rotating holidays and some weekends required.

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer