Peer Support Staff (FT-Day) Somerville NJ

Job Title: Peer Support Staff

Location: RWJUH Somerset

Department Name: Emergency Screening

Req #: 0000228171

Status: Hourly

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $20.00 - $25.00 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:

RWJBarnabas Health is looking to add a Peer Support Staff within the Emergency Screening department in Somerville, NJ.  The Peer Specialist will provide support to select consumers and their families and will work in conjunction with a Certified Mental Health Screener.  The Peer Specialist s primary role will be to engage and support those consumers identified as high utilizers of the psychiatric screening services with the goal of decreasing emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations.  The Peer Specialist will be available to consumers both on-site at the designated screening center and off-site.  The off-site work includes accompanying the Certified Mental Health Screeners on mobile outreaches into the community.  The Peer Specialist will both help to identify those individuals who would benefit from face-to-face follow-ups and then participating in that face-to-face follow up.  The Peer Specialist will meet with high-risk consumers during the PESS visit when possible to begin building the relationship.  Is responsible for reporting identified safety issues such as hazardous environments (i,e,  damaged floors/walls/ceiling tiles/unsecured areas) and medical errors, etc.

Qualifications:

Required:

• High School diploma or equivalent
• One (1) year involvement in mental health advocacy

Certifications and Licenses Required:

• BLS Certification from American Heart Association

Scheduling Requirements:

• Day Shift, 40 hours/week
• Full-Time Schedule 

Essential Functions:

• Adapts to varying work conditions according to unit
• Adapts to varying work conditions according to unit needs
• Annual de-escalation training and BLS certification
• Answer hotline as appropriate and documentation of calls
• Discuss all calls with supervision
• Assist with admissions, discharge and/or transfer procedures (ability specific)
• Documents accurately, timely and legibly on appropriate forms according to hospital policy and established standards
• Functions as a preceptor to newly hired Peer Support
• Maintains ongoing observation of patients throughout the shift and reports changes to the licensed staff member responsible
• Monitors patients returning within 30 days to service, establishes contact with patient and makes appropriate referrals to treatment
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Director
• Participates in financial control through appropriate use of supplies and adherence to charging mechanisms
• Participates in QA/QI activities and all staff meetings, in-services and committees
• Participates in safety and treatment planning
• Participates in treatment team and related care plan updates
• Supervising/Assisting with activities of daily living, encouraging appropriate behaviors
• Transfer of patients to the inpatient units
• Utilizes communication and observation to assist the licensed staff in patient data collection

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits and Perks:

At RWJBarnabas Health, our market-competitive Total Rewards package provides comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees’ physical, emotional, social, and financial health.

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Life & Accidental Death Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, Verizon, and more!

Choosing RWJBarnabas Health!

RWJBarnabas Health is the premier healthcare 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer