Mental Health Associate

Job Title: Mental Health Associate

Location: MMC Southern Campus

Department Name: Emergency Screening

Req #: 0000224472

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.

Mental Health Associate - RWJBarnabas Health

At RWJBarnabas Health, Mental Health Associates become part of a purpose-driven environment where compassion, teamwork, and patient-centered care create meaningful opportunities to support individuals on their mental health journey. This Mental Health Associate role offers opportunities for professional growth, supportive collaboration, and a culture committed to safety, dignity, and continuous improvement. As a Mental Health Associate, you will function as a vital care partner alongside the Registered Nurse to provide therapeutic interventions, treatments, and nursing care to a diagnostically and developmentally specific patient population. Joining RWJBarnabas Health means joining a community where every Mental Health Associate is encouraged to grow, contribute, and make a lasting impact.

A typical day for a Mental Health Associate may include:

• Performing essential nursing activities and assisting with procedures, examinations, and consults under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse.
• Maintaining ongoing observation of patients throughout the shift, recognizing changes in condition, and promptly reporting updates to the licensed staff member responsible.
• Documenting initial intake history and demographics.
• Supervising and assisting patients with activities of daily living while encouraging appropriate, therapeutic behaviors.
• Accurately obtaining patient vital signs, weights, and Intake & Output (I&O) measurements, as well as safely collecting specimens such as urine, blood, and throat cultures.
• Contributing to ongoing patient care plan updates.
• Managing unit support activities, balancing clerical and administrative functions, and proactively reporting safety issues or hazardous environments to ensure patient and staff security.

This role might be for you if:

• Compassion and empathy define how you provide prompt, consistent, and supportive service to patients.
• You value teamwork and excel at functioning as a dedicated care partner under RN supervision.
• Strong attention to detail helps you manage clinical documentation, clerical tasks, and safety monitoring.
• You remain highly observant, recognizing subtle changes in patient behavior to support the clinical team.
• Supporting patient dignity, recovery, and emotional well-being is central to your approach.
• You enjoy a dynamic environment where your shifts offer a mix of direct patient care and essential unit administration.

To be considered for this Mental Health Associate opportunity:

• You are passionate about providing behavioral health interventions while helping create a safe, respectful, and recovery-focused environment.
• Bachelor's degree in a Psychology-related field; OR 5+ years of related experience in a psychiatric services setting required.
• Current American Heart Association BLS certification is required.
• A valid New Jersey Driver's License is required.
• Scheduling Requirements : Per Diem, 12-hour day shifts (7:00 AM - 7:30 PM).
• Weekend Commitment: Ability to work a minimum of 2 weekend days per month is required.
• Holiday Commitment: Compliance with departmental holiday rotation requirements is required.

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.

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer