PES Counselor, Crisis Intervention
Company : Carepoint Health System
Location : Jersey City, NJ, 07306
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 14 January 2026
About Us
CarePoint Health is one of New Jersey’s leading health care systems comprised of three long-standing and highly-regarded hospitals – Christ Hospital in Jersey City, Hoboken University Medical Center and Bayonne Medical Center. CarePoint united three area hospitals to provide 360-degree-coordinated care by integrating the medical facilities and physician networks associated with these institutions. With over 4,500 employees, CarePoint is the largest private employer in Hudson County, New Jersey and each year provides care to over 300,000 individuals.
CarePoint prides itself on its patient-focused approach to care delivery, with an emphasis on preventative medicine, health education, and disease management. Leveraging its vast network of physicians and healthcare experts, CarePoint is quickly becoming recognized as a leader in the broader healthcare landscape as it pioneers creative solutions to address urgent population health needs.
What You'll Be Doing
The PES Counselor provides services to individuals in psychiatric crisis, working in conjunction with behavioral health team to provide emergency psychiatric evaluations and dispositions to patients in crisis in the Emergency Department. Services include, but are not limited to: crisis intervention; clinical assessments; treatment planning; psychoeducation; referral and advocacy. Assess for levels of risk to self/others, identify behavioral health needs, and coordinate interventions and referrals appropriately based on case review and determination by licensed provider.
- Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, recordkeeping, consultation and education for patients presenting to the Emergency Department/hospital with primary and/or secondary Behavioral Health needs
- Respond to requests by Emergency Department staff to evaluate patients
- Serves on the Workplace Violence Response Team
- Provide Emergency Department, Intake Assessments, Crisis Counseling Interventions, Case Management, and Coordination of External referrals to appropriate behavioral health levels of service
- Consult with on-site or on-call provider to review cases, provide the necessary information to assist in determining the most appropriate level of care, and coordinate admissions, transfers, and referrals accordingly
- Review and process external behavioral health referrals for inpatient admission or outpatient appointments
- Obtain pre-authorizations for inpatient behavioral health admissions
- Accurately document all clinical assessments, interventions, pre-authorization information and updates EMR documentation in EPIC appropriately.
- Adequately assess for and implement appropriate interventions to maintain patient safety on unit
- Perform any and all other duties assigned
What We're Looking For
Full-Time, 8-hour shift, 7:00 am - 3:00 pm.
Rotating weekends and holidays.
- Bachelor’s Degree in psychology or human service related field required
- Licensed RN, LPC or LSW preferred
- Minimum 1 year experience working in behavioral health required; experience working in crisis or hospital setting preferred
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrate knowledge of current computer systems, equipment or programs used in the organization, knowlegdge of MediTech a plus
What We Offer
• Competitive pay• Medical, dental, and vision insurance• 401k with Company match• Generous paid time off• Paid Holidays• Tuition Reimbursement• Advancement and career development opportunities
CarePoint Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Frequently asked questions
PES Counselors in crisis intervention use structured clinical assessments to evaluate immediate risks to self or others, integrating behavioral observations and patient history. They collaborate with licensed providers to determine appropriate care levels, ensuring safety and swift coordination of necessary interventions in emergency settings.
Career advancement often leads from entry-level crisis counseling to clinical supervisory roles or specialized mental health positions. Gaining experience in hospital-based emergency departments, along with advanced licensure such as LPC or LSW, can open doors to leadership or integrated care coordination within healthcare systems.
At Carepoint, PES Counselors manage acute psychiatric crises in fast-paced emergency departments, requiring immediate risk assessment and multidisciplinary coordination. Unlike outpatient settings, they handle urgent interventions, work alongside hospital staff, and facilitate rapid referrals or admissions, emphasizing crisis stabilization over long-term therapy.
Local employers often prefer candidates with state-recognized licenses such as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), or Registered Nurse (RN) credentials. Additionally, familiarity with hospital systems like Meditech and crisis intervention training aligned with New Jersey regulations enhances job prospects.
Jersey City’s demand for crisis intervention specialists is robust due to high urban behavioral health needs. However, competition is notable among candidates with advanced degrees and clinical licenses. Demonstrated crisis experience coupled with proficiency in emergency psychiatric protocols can significantly improve hiring chances.
Carepoint’s integrated hospital network requires PES Counselors to engage in interdisciplinary planning and extensive documentation within EMR systems like Epic. They often participate in workplace violence response teams, reflecting a broader safety role beyond typical crisis counseling found in standalone clinics.
Close coordination ensures rapid psychiatric evaluations and tailored crisis interventions, facilitating timely admissions or referrals. This teamwork minimizes care delays, optimizes treatment plans, and supports holistic patient safety, leveraging Carepoint’s extensive healthcare network for comprehensive crisis management.
Salaries typically range between $55,000 and $70,000 annually, reflecting the specialized skills and hospital environment. Factors influencing pay include licensure status, experience in behavioral health crisis settings, and the competitive healthcare market in Hudson County, NJ.
These duties encompass immediate psychiatric assessments, risk evaluations, crisis intervention counseling, and care coordination. Counselors must also handle documentation, liaise with behavioral health teams, and assist in patient safety protocols, adapting swiftly to unpredictable emergency department demands.
While the PES Counselor role is predominantly onsite due to emergency department requirements, some telehealth crisis counselor roles exist. However, remote positions generally focus on triage and helpline services rather than direct hospital-based interventions typical of Carepoint’s setting.