Job Title: Mental Health Associate

Location: Jersey City Medical Center

Department Name: Mental Health Unit-Open Unit

Req #: 0000262012

Status: Hourly

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $27.54 - $27.54 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 Description

Mental Health Associate – RWJBarnabas Health

At RWJBarnabas Health, Mental Health Associates become part of a purpose-driven environment where compassionate patient care, safety, teamwork, and clinical excellence come together to support individuals receiving inpatient behavioral health services. This Mental Health Worker role offers the opportunity to build meaningful connections with patients while working alongside Registered Nurses and an interdisciplinary healthcare team. As a Mental Health Worker, you will provide direct patient support, promote a safe and therapeutic environment, assist with activities of daily living, and contribute to the overall well-being and recovery of patients. Joining RWJBarnabas Health means becoming part of a community committed to Total Quality Management and delivering respectful, patient-centered care at every level.

A typical day for a Mental Health Associate may include:

• Providing direct care and supervision to inpatient behavioral health patients under the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse
• Maintaining a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment that promotes patient dignity, security, and well-being
• Providing group and individual patient supervision while remaining attentive to changes in patient behavior, condition, and needs
• Facilitating educational group activities designed to promote patient engagement, coping skills, wellness, and appropriate social interaction
• Assisting patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including feeding, bathing, toileting, ambulating, and other personal care needs
• Taking, monitoring, and accurately recording patient vital signs according to established procedures
• Observing patients and communicating relevant behavioral, physical, or safety concerns to the Registered Nurse and appropriate members of the healthcare team
• Following written hospital policies, procedures, safety standards, and established methods of practice while performing all patient care responsibilities
• Providing care with professionalism, compassion, respect, and consideration for the individual needs and circumstances of each patient
• Collaborating with Registered Nurses and other members of the behavioral health team to support individualized patient care and unit operations
• Demonstrating effective communication and interpersonal skills when interacting with patients, families, coworkers, and other internal and external customers
• Applying the Barnabas Health philosophy of Total Quality Management (TQM) to daily interactions, patient care, teamwork, and service delivery
• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation of patient observations, vital signs, activities, and care provided
• Supporting a structured inpatient environment by encouraging appropriate participation in activities and reinforcing unit expectations
• Obtaining and maintaining required clinical competencies, including BLS certification, EKG validation, and phlebotomy validation
• Participating in orientation, training, continuing education, and professional development activities to strengthen patient care skills

This role might be for you if:

• Providing compassionate, respectful, and attentive care to individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges is meaningful to you
• You are comfortable supervising patients individually and in groups while maintaining awareness of safety and changing patient needs
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills allow you to build trust and interact effectively with patients and healthcare professionals
• You remain calm, professional, and attentive when working in a structured inpatient behavioral health environment
• You are organized and able to manage competing responsibilities while maintaining accurate documentation and completing patient care tasks on time
• Helping patients with personal care and activities of daily living is something you approach with dignity, patience, and respect
• Teamwork and collaboration with Registered Nurses and other healthcare professionals are strengths you bring to the workplace
• You value Total Quality Management and are committed to providing consistently high-quality service to patients, families, coworkers, and other members of the organization
• You are interested in developing your clinical skills through hands-on experience, training, and continuing education
• You are dependable and able to work a schedule that includes every other weekend

To be considered for this Mental Health Worker, Inpatient Behavioral Health opportunity, you are committed to providing safe, compassionate, patient-centered care while supporting individuals through their inpatient behavioral health experience.

This position requires a Baccalaureate Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or a Health-Related Field. BLS certification, EKG validation, and phlebotomy validation are required by the end of orientation, with training provided. A minimum of one year of experience, training, or education in the treatment field is preferred. Experience as a Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, EMT, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist, EKG Technician, or in another patient care setting is helpful. Candidates must demonstrate excellent communication, time management, and interpersonal skills and must be available to work every other weekend.