Job Title: Certified Screener
Location: Newark Beth Israel Medical Ctr
Department Name: Emergency Screening
Req #: 0000261464
Status: Hourly
Shift: Evening
Pay Range: $30.00 - $36.82 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.
Psychiatric Certified Screener
At RWJBarnabas Health, our Emergency Screening teams work collaboratively to provide high-quality, compassionate crisis intervention when our communities need it most. By delivering rapid assessments and connecting vulnerable patients to the right level of care, our screeners serve as a vital lifeline. We view our Mental Health Screeners as a crucial component of our care plan, redefining the patient experience through teamwork, empathy, and excellence. We hope you are excited by the opportunity to join a dedicated, supportive team that navigates complex crises together!
A Typical Day Might Include:
- Providing individualized plans of care in acute care settings within the scope of practice defined by the Screening Law and other regulatory standards.
- Consulting with psychiatrists, medical staff, and emergency room teams to formulate safe patient dispositions.
- Answering the 24-hour crisis "Hotline" immediately to provide rapid emergency responses, guidance, and prompt customer care.
- Assessing patients for voluntary or involuntary hospitalization and accurately completing all state screening and legal commitment documents.
- Supervising and assisting in patient care issues, following up on assigned tasks, and consistently setting and evaluating clinical priorities.
- Assisting mobile screeners by gathering patient data and prioritizing community outreaches based on acuity.
- Collaborating with medical units, voluntary psychiatric floors, and affiliated emergency rooms to manage psychiatric consultations.
- Completing thorough clinical documentation in AVATAR, including assessments, suicide risk evaluations, and internal handoffs.
- Providing vital consultation to community agencies and hospitals regarding the management of emergency psychiatric patients.
- Assuring safety in practice by maintaining a realization of your own individual level of knowledge and utilizing available resource programs.
- Working in harmony with other staff members of the interdisciplinary team and assisting the Patient Care Manager to achieve the best service possible.
This Role Might Be For You If:
- You are deeply passionate about providing a safe, therapeutic, and empathetic healthcare experience for individuals in acute psychiatric distress.
- You thrive in fast-paced, dynamic, and stressful environments, making critical, legally-grounded care decisions under pressure.
- You set a high bar for yourself and your team to maintain strong communication and coordinate seamless handoffs during critical situations.
- You treat every caller and patient with profound kindness, meeting them where they are during their most vulnerable moments.
- You assume responsibility for advancing your own knowledge by communicating effectively and engaging with professional development programs.
To Be Considered For This Opportunity, You Must Have:
- Education & Experience (Must meet one of the following tracks):
- Track 1: Master’s degree (MSW/MA) in a related mental health discipline.
- Track 2: Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in a mental health discipline plus three (3) years of full-time, post-bachelor's experience in a psychiatric setting (with at least one year specifically within a crisis or emergency screening setting).
- Track 3: Enrolled in an active Master's program plus two (2) years of prior experience in a psychiatric setting (with at least one year specifically within a crisis or emergency screening setting).
- Certification: Eligibility for certification as a Mental Health Screener by the State of New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Hospitals (DMHS). You will be required to maintain this active state certification throughout your employment.
- Driver's License: A valid New Jersey driver's license in good standing.
