Crisis Worker in Elizabeth, New Jersey at RWJBarnabas Health

Job Title: Crisis Worker

Location: MONASTERY

Department Name: Psych - MCAP

Req #: 0000249675

Status: Hourly

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $29.39 - $36.09 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 Overview
The Crisis Intervention Specialist (CIS) is responsible for dispatching directly to community crisis calls received from PerformCare (the Contracted Systems Administrator) to support youth ages 0–21 and their families. Operating within the Mobile Response Stabilization Services (MRSS) framework, the CIS delivers immediate, face-to-face intervention within one hour of request, providing critical stabilization, care coordination, and transition planning during acute behavioral health crises. Utilizing core System of Care values, this community-based professional applies strengths-based, trauma-informed, and family-driven principles to help youth safely stabilize and thrive within their home, school, and community environments.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in social work, psychology, mental health, counseling, sociology, or a closely related human services field.
• Minimum of one (1) year of relevant professional experience working with youth, families, or individuals in behavioral health or crisis settings.
• Valid New Jersey driver’s license with a clean driving record to accommodate required community field travel.
• Strong baseline of organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with an active willingness to perform field-based crisis work.
• Ability to pass a mandatory state-provided criminal background check (completed at no cost to the candidate).

Preferred:

• Prior professional experience working with the Electronic Medical Record platforms EPIC and the state Cyber system.
• Fully bilingual fluency in both English and Spanish languages.
• General computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office and Outlook applications.

Scheduling Requirements

• Full-Time (FT)
• Day

Essential Functions

• Dispatches immediately to community-based crisis calls and arrives face-to-face at the scene of the crisis within one hour of the initial dispatch request.
• Conducts thorough, real-time crisis assessments to identify youth and family strengths and needs, utilizing specialized tools like the Certified Crisis Assessment Tool.
• Constructs and implements comprehensive, individualized Initial Crisis Plans (ICP) within 24 hours of dispatch, modifying care over a 72-hour stabilization window.
• Contacts families within 24 hours of the initial dispatch to evaluate continuous crisis stabilization, and accurately charts notes in the Cyber and EPIC electronic medical record networks.
• Coordinates transition and care planning for cases requiring prolonged support, managing transitions to 8-week Mobile Response Stabilization Services or Care Management Organization Services.
• Identifies formal and informal community-based resources for vulnerable youth, assisting families in navigating insurance networks and completing Presumptive Eligibility applications.
• Completes the mandatory DCF/CSOC training protocol and actively maintains the required state certification guidelines during the first two years of employment.
• Communicates clinical findings, systemic barriers to care, and emergent patient details to program supervisors in a structured, clear, and comprehensive manner.
• Maintains strict compliance with all Department of Children and Families (DCF) and CMRSS standards, universal precautions, and health system safety regulations.

Benefits and Perks
At RWJBarnabas Health, our employees are at the heart of everything we do. Driven by our Total Wellbeing promise, our market-competitive offerings include comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees’ physical, emotional, financial, personal, career, and community wellbeing. These benefits and resources include, but are not limited to:

• Paid Time Off including Vacation, Holidays, and Sick Time
• Retirement Plans
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Disability and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Planning Support
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Community and Volunteer Opportunities
• Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, and Verizon
• ….and more!

Choosing RWJBarnabas Health!
RWJBarnabas Health is the premier health care destination providing patient-centered, high-quality academic medicine in a compassionate and equitable manner, while delivering a best-in-class work experience to every member of the team. We honor and appreciate the privilege of creating and sustaining healthier communities, one person and one community at a time. As the leading academic health system in New Jersey, we advance innovative strategies in high-quality patient care, education, and research to address both the clinical and social determinants of health.

RWJBarnabas Health aims to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey—whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.