Mental Health Associate Residency Program

Mental Health Associate Residency Program Req : 0000080046 Category: Behavioral and Mental Health Status: Full-Time Shift: Day Facility: Central Jersey Behavioral Health Location: Short Term Care (Stc), 1691 U.S. Highway 9, Toms River, NJ 08755 Mental Health Associate Residency ProgramTransitional On-the Job training program for Patient Care and Safety Care Associate (PCA/SCA) to Mental Health Associate (MHA) Summary of Program : The MHA residency is a hybrid program consisting of on the job training and classroom education designed to prepare PCA/SCA employees to transition to the position of MHA upon successful completion of the program. Enrollees of the MHA residency program will work full time as PCA/SCAs during the anticipated 14-week program with amended schedules allowing for the requisite classroom education. Upon successful completion, program graduates will be transferred to a full time MHA position within the facility. Residency Candidate Commitment : External candidates accepted into the residency program will be hired into a current vacant PCA/SCA position and be required to successfully complete new hire and job specific orientation and commit to the classroom curriculum. Incumbent staff accepted into the program, having already completed orientation, will begin the residency program with the classroom curriculum.The classroom education will utilize a variety of leaning modalities including but not limited to: didactic (lecture), simulation (hands on and role playing), and online computer-based modules. A Behavioral Health basic knowledge assessment encompassing program content will be utilized at the end of the course to identify gaps in learning and knowledge application. Minimum Program and Position Qualifications : High School Diploma (or GED) required Associate Degree preferred One year experience in behavioral health preferred Heart Saver CPR upon hire Best Training upon hire Internal Candidates: Must be in good standing in current position and will be subject to the interview process Summary of Position Job Functions : Safety Care Associate (SCA) : The SCA is a Patient Care Associate who will have primary focus on ensuring the safe milieu of the unit. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: conducting mandatory Q15 minute safety checks, environmental safety rounds, 1:1 patient safety watches, assisting with group facilitation, and the search and logging of patient belongings. Under direct supervision of the unit director, or designee, the SCA will reinforce our Safety Together High Reliability values and behaviors and champion safety initiatives. The SCA will also assist with providing direct patient care as assigned. All methods of practice and/or work performance shall conform to written established hospital policies and procedures and be carried to the highest achievable level of competence in a manner demonstrating concern and consideration. Mental Health Associate (MHA) : The MHA provides care to the patients and maintains a safe environment under the direct supervision of the unit director or designee. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: therapeutic interaction with patients, therapeutic group facilitation, completing appropriate documentation within the medical record, conducting mandatory Q15 minute safety checks, environmental safety rounds, 1:1 patient safety watches, and the search and logging of patient belongings. The MHA will assist with providing direct patient care and with reinforcing our Safety Together High Reliability values and behaviors and implementing safety initiatives. All methods of practice and/or work performance shall conform to written established hospital policies and procedures and be carried to the highest achievable level of competence in a manner demonstrating concern and consideration. Additional Information: The Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Center (with Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus Behavioral Health Services) constitutes a freestanding 100-bed acute care psychiatric facility which provides inpatient and intensive outpatient programs for adults and older adults diagnosed with psychiatric and dual disorders. RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity EmployerCompany Description:How do you build a healthier New Jersey? Every day at RWJBarnabas Health, extraordinary people like you come together to shape the answer. In our newly-integrated network of busy urban medical centers, acclaimed teaching and research facilities, and state-of-the-art community hospitals, we''re delivering world-class care to more than 5 million people across the Garden State "” and redefining the career expectations of every member of our team.We''re proud to be one of New Jersey''s premier employers, with a strong financial foundation and an outstanding national reputation for excellence in health care. At the same time, we feel like an extended family: A dynamic collection of diverse and passionate individuals with unique skills, deep roots in the communities we serve, and a shared belief that we''re better together.We know that the best way to serve our state is to build the strongest team in the country. We''re doing that by creating a compelling matrix organization that offers the unrivaled flexibility to explore opportunities across the entirety of our network "” so you can make the choices that will position you to grow and thrive for years to come.How do you build a better future? By focusing on quality of life. Great relationships. Community focus. And tremendous opportunities for lifelong learning and professional growth. Take a closer look at RWJ Barnabas Health, and you''ll s

Created: 2025-11-15