Mental Health Clinician

Job Title: Mental Health Clinician

Location: NEW POINT CAMPUS

Department Name: Emergency Screening

Req #: 0000269880

Status: Hourly

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $29.39 - $36.09 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.

At RWJBarnabas Health, our behavioral health support teams operate at the heart of a compassionate, multidisciplinary environment dedicated to transforming the patient experience. Joining our team means becoming part of a premier academic healthcare network that values teamwork, excellence, and a shared commitment to delivering high-quality, safe clinical services across our communities. We are seeking a dedicated Mental Health Clinician / Psychiatric Screener to provide critical direct care within our fast-paced Emergency Screening framework. Operating within the scope of practice defined by the Screening Law and other regulatory standards, this professional individualizes plans of care to address specific patient needs during acute psychiatric crises. If you are a resilient clinician looking to combine proactive crisis de-escalation with a purpose-driven healthcare mission, we invite you to build a rewarding career with us.

A Typical Day
As a Mental Health Clinician in Emergency Screening, a typical day might include the following:

• Acute Crisis Assessment: Conducting thorough clinical assessments, gathering relevant collateral details, and reviewing chart histories to determine appropriate treatment paths and outreach outcomes based on criteria per the Screening Law.
• Psychiatric Emergency Triage: Managing hotline and business lines in a professional, timely manner to deliver information, referrals, and immediate crisis interventions conforming to screening guidelines.
• Multidisciplinary Triage Collaboration: Communicating vital clinical information effectively with Screening and Child Psychiatrists, Charge RNs, and Shift Supervisors to coordinate treatment plans and patient dispositions.
• Patient Navigation & Placement: Consulting and collaborating with families, physicians, local law enforcement, schools, corrections, and professional staff across regional hospitals and human service agencies to coordinate care.
• Treatment Planning & Documentation: Formulating individual patient care planning, securing insurance pre-certifications, ensuring patients understand voluntary admission parameters, and completing meticulous electronic charts prior to the end of the shift.
• Milieu Safety & Crisis De-escalation: Working in harmony with the interdisciplinary team to maintain absolute safety awareness, assist with crisis de-escalation, and facilitate patient safety plans or restraints as clinically indicated.

This Role Might Be For You If:

• You are deeply passionate about creating a secure, welcoming, and non-judgmental environment for individuals navigating severe trauma and acute psychiatric emergencies.
• You excel under pressure, maintain an exceptional professional demeanor, and possess the psychological stamina to thrive in highly stressful situations.
• You set an exceptionally high bar for documentation excellence, quality assurance tracking, and strict adherence to legal and regulatory screening standards.
• You are high-energy, collaborative, and dedicated to working alongside healthcare executives, nurses, and external public safety stakeholders to achieve the best possible patient service.
• You understand the core principles of the Wellness and Recovery model and enjoy watching tiny milestones turn into massive victories for vulnerable families.

To Be Considered:

• Education & Experience: To clear our strict qualification gates, candidates must satisfy one of the following criteria:
  • A completed Master's Degree (MSW/MA/MS) in a mental health-related field.
  • Current enrollment in a relevant Master's program paired with a minimum of two (2) years of prior experience in a psychiatric setting (including at least one year in a dedicated crisis environment).
  • A Bachelor's Degree (BA/BS) in a related field paired with a minimum of three (3) years of prior experience in a psychiatric setting (including at least one year in a dedicated crisis environment).
• Licensure: Must possess and maintain a valid, unencumbered Driver's License.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to meet the physical demands of an acute care psychiatric emergency setting, including restriction-free movement and the capability to assist with crisis de-escalation or patient restraint interventions.