Job Description

Job Title: Mental Health Associate

Location: Clara Maass Medical Center

Department Name: Mental Health Unit-Open Unit

Req #: 0000271003

Status: Hourly

Shift: Evening

Pay Range: $22.42 - $27.83 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 play an essential role in creating a therapeutic environment, supporting patients through their daily care, and partnering with an interdisciplinary team dedicated to promoting recovery and well-being. The Mental Health Associate will be responsible for the facilitation of activity groups in an inpatient program. Joining RWJBarnabas Health means joining a community where every Mental Health Associate is encouraged to grow, contribute, and make a lasting impact.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

A typical day for a Mental Health Associate may include:

• Unit Safety & Daily Activity: Maintains unit safely and facilitates daily activity of the patients, fostering a safe, therapeutic, and respectful environment.
• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Assists patients in activities of daily living including feeding, bathing, toileting, and grooming, while encouraging patient independence and dignity.
• Patient Rounds: Conducts regular rounds to supervise patients in both group and individual settings to ensure safety and therapeutic engagement.
• Activity Facilitation: Facilitates educational group activities, activity groups in an inpatient program, recreational activities, and structured daily programming.
• Observation & De-escalation: Observing patient behaviors, recognizing changes in emotional or physical condition, and using verbal de-escalation techniques and therapeutic communication to manage challenging behaviors.
• Clinical Documentation: Records accurate and timely clinical documentation of patient observations, behaviors, and interventions to support continuity of care.
• Crisis Response: Assists in code responses as per policy and by training to maintain a calm and safe environment.
• Securing Belongings: Assists in securing patients' belongings upon admission or as required by facility protocols.
• Team Collaboration: Collaborating closely with nurses, physicians, therapists, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to provide coordinated, patient-centered care.
• Professional Growth: Pursuing continued professional development through training, education, and organizational resources that support long-term career growth.

This role might be for you if

• You possess excellent communication, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• Compassion and empathy define how you interact with patients, families, and colleagues.
• You remain calm, patient, and professional in challenging or emotionally charged situations.
• Strong observation skills help you recognize changes in patient behavior and communicate them effectively.
• You value teamwork and enjoy collaborating with interdisciplinary care teams.
• Supporting patient dignity, recovery, and emotional well-being is central to your approach.
• Adaptability allows you to respond confidently as patient needs and priorities change.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

To be considered for this Mental Health Associate opportunity:

• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, or related field preferred; OR
• A Bachelor's degree with one year of relevant work experience interacting with patients and the community.
• Experience & Training:
• Minimum of one-year experience, training, or education in the field of treatment/psychiatric care.
• Preferred Experience:
• Prefer previous experience as a nurse aide or home health aide (minimum one-year experience).
• Preferably 1 year of behavioral health or psychiatric care experience.
• Certifications:
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) OR successful completion of required training to attain certification within three months of the start date.
• Core Passion: You are passionate about supporting individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges while helping create a safe, respectful, and recovery-focused environment.

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