Mental Health Associate

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:
At RWJBarnabas Health, our employees are at the heart of everything we do. Driven by our Total Wellbeing promise, our market-competitive offerings include comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees' physical, emotional, financial, personal, career, and community wellbeing. These benefits and resources include, but are not limited to:

• 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.