Mental Health Associate, Short Term Care - Toms River, NJ

Job Title: Mental Health Associate

Location: Central Jersey Behavioral

Department Name: Short Term Care (STC)

Req #: 0000255473

Status: Hourly

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $21.96 - $27.28 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.

The RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health Center, in collaboration with Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus Behavioral Health Services, is a freestanding 100-bed acute care psychiatric facility. It provides inpatient and intensive outpatient programs for adults and older adults diagnosed with psychiatric and co-occurring disorders. The Behavioral Health Center is structured to deliver specialized care across each of its units, including Short-Term Care, Adult Psych, and Kimball Northeast/Voluntary, ensuring tailored treatment to meet diverse patient needs.

Short-Term Care Unit: is designed for individuals experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis. This unit primarily serves patients with serious mental illness who require stabilization, intensive assessment, and rapid treatment intervention.

Job Overview :

The Mental Health Associate provides care to the patients and maintains a safe environment under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse. All methods of practice shall conform to written hospital policies and procedures and be carried out to the highest achievable level of competence in a manner demonstrating concern and consideration. The Mental Health Associate will demonstrate the Barnabas Health philosophy to Total Quality Management by actively applying that philosophy in all dealings with both internal and external customers.

Qualifications :

Required :

• Baccalaureate degree in psychology or related field (Social Work, Criminal Justice, Social Sciences, Public Health, or Science), minimum of 5 years' recent behavioral health experience, or completion of AIMS Mental Health Technician training certificate course
• Must possess excellent communication, time management, and interpersonal skills
• Successful completion of all orientation programs

Preferred :

• Previous experience as a nurse aide or home health aide
• Minimum one year of experience, training, or education in the field of treatment

Certifications and Licenses Required :

• BLS Certification from the American Heart Association

Scheduling Requirements :

• (3) 12-hour day shifts
• Full Time
• Every other weekend required

Essential Functions :

• Group and individual patient supervision
• Facilitation of educational group activities
• Assist patients with personal hygiene as assigned
• Assists with the nutritional needs of patients as assigned and accurately documents intake
• Demonstrates ability to assist with ambulation techniques, assistive devices and patient positioning
• Assists with safe transport of patients to the emergency room and other ancillary departments or appointments
• Formulates positive and supportive therapeutic relationships with the patients on the unit. Provides limit setting in a manner which is the least restrictive, respects the patients’ rights and assures safety
• Participates in therapeutic and educational activities with patients as assigned by nursing and clinical staff which may include group discussions, creative arts, recreational and educational activities and documents behavior and response of the patients using appropriate tools
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Other Things to Know:
This job description outlines the core responsibilities of the role, but it’s not meant to cover every task you may take on. As with any dynamic organization, duties may shift over time based on team needs and priorities—and we’re looking for someone who’s flexible and ready to grow with us.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:
At RWJBarnabas Health, our people are at the center of everything we do. Through our Total Wellbeing promise, we offer a wide range of benefits and resources to support your physical, emotional, financial, and professional wellbeing. Highlights include:

• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Holidays, Sick Time)
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Prescription Drug Coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Planning Support
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Wellness Programs and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Voluntary Benefits (like Pet Insurance)
• Discounts with local partners (e.g., NJ Devils, NJPAC, Verizon)
• Community involvement and volunteer opportunities
• …and more!

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!

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer