Mental Health Worker

RWJBarnabas Health; Elizabeth (NJ); On-site; USD 30,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

RWJBarnabas Health's New Point Campus is seeking a Mental Health Worker to provide direct clinical care, venipuncture, and therapeutic milieu support for hospitalized adults. You will participate in EMR documentation, admission processes, and care planning, working closely with nurses and physicians in a collaborative psychiatric unit.

Qualifications include a Bachelor’s in psychology/sociology/behavioral health or active MHA certification; five years of relevant experience; and BLS

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Behavioral Health, or related field; OR active MHA certification.
• Minimum of five years of full-time experience in a behavioral health or medical setting is acceptable in lieu of degree.
• Ability to obtain an active American Heart Association BLS Provider certification within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Direct Clinical Care: provide standard nursing care delegated by RN, including vitals.
• Technical tasks: venipuncture, lab processing, EKGs.
• Therapeutic milieu: plan/lead activities and group sessions.
• Patient navigation: assist ADLs, dining/hygiene, escort within facility.
• EMR documentation and care plan updates in collaboration with physicians.
• Admission and intake: participate in orientation and transfer processes.
• Unit safety/compliance: maintain clean unit and manage supplies.

Skills

Clinical care

Venipuncture

EMR documentation

Education

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

Active MHA certification

Job description

Job Title: Mental Health Worker

Location: NEW POINT CAMPUS

Department Name: Psychiatric Float Pool

Req #: 0000266043

Status: Hourly

Shift: Evening

Pay Range: $21.96 - $27.28 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.

Our Mental Health Workers work collaboratively to promote optimal development and prevent psychological trauma in hospitalized patients and their families. By providing comprehensive programming, direct care, and evidence-based clinical support, our psychiatric team proactively engages vulnerable adult populations to provide connection, safety, and a structured healing environment. We view our team members as a critical component of the interdisciplinary care plan and recognize the incredibly positive impact they have on our patients' healthcare journeys. We hope you are excited by the opportunity to redefine the patient experience through teamwork, compassion, and excellence within the RWJBarnabas Health network!

A Typical Day

• Direct Clinical Care: Providing standard nursing care delegated by the Registered Nurse, including taking/recording vital signs and immediately reporting clinical changes.


• Technical Medical Tasks: Safely performing venipuncture (drawing blood), processing lab specimens, and executing diagnostic EKGs.


• Therapeutic Milieu Support: Planning, leading, and facilitating recreational activities, patient-staff meetings, and therapeutic group recovery sessions.


• Patient Navigation: Supporting daily living activities (ADLs), ensuring comfortable patient dining/hygiene, and escorting individuals safely throughout the facility.


• Treatment Planning: Contributing daily electronic medical record (EMR) documentation and collaborating with physicians to update multi-agency care plans.


• Admission & Intake: Participating in patient admission, hospital orientation, and transfer processes while supervising family interactions during unit visitations.


• Unit Safety & Compliance: Maintaining a clean unit environment, coordinating supply par levels, and conducting thorough room or body searches as assigned.

This Role Might Be For You If

• You are deeply passionate about creating a welcoming, supportive, and non-judgmental environment for psychiatric patients.


• You excel under pressure, maintain an exceptional professional demeanor, and stay current on acute crisis intervention and de-escalation practices.


• You set a high bar for maintaining a safe, organized, and welcoming therapeutic environment during crisis stabilization.


• You recognize and respect the direct impact your communication and active listening have on a patient's daily healing journey.


• You thrive in a highly collaborative team environment alongside nurses, physicians, and support services.

To Be Considered

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Behavioral Health, or a related field; OR an active AIMS Mental Health Association (MHA) certification.


• Experience Substitution: A minimum of five (5) years of full-time working experience within a behavioral health or medical setting is strictly acceptable in lieu of a degree. Prior experience with psychiatric/substance abuse patients and non-violent crisis intervention is preferred.


• Certification: Ability to obtain an active American Heart Association BLS Provider certification within six (6) months of hire.