Mental Health Specialist IV (full time)

Job Posted 1/18/2025
Rutgers University
Piscataway, NJ
United States
Job Description
Posting Summary
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Mental Health Specialist IV from the Child & Adolescent Services – Children’s Transitional Residence within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. The primary purpose of the Mental Health Specialist IV is to provide daily care and supervision to children residing in the Children’s Transitional Residence. Among the key duties of this position are the following: Supervises daily activities, such as personal care routines, meals and transportation to and from school or medical appointments. Implements recreational and therapeutic activities and trips appropriate to the children’s age, abilities, and therapeutic needs. Provides behavioral reinforcement, positive role-modeling and feedback to children to encourage more adaptive and prosocial behaviors. Communicates effectively with other specialists as well as education, clinical and administrative staff. Reports on children’s behavior and progress to the treatment team. Assists in maintaining a clean, secure, and nurturing environment. Prepares and serves resident meals. Performs daily tasks such as routine cleanup, laundry, and sanitary procedures. Completes on-going sanitary and safety inspection of the residence.

Overview
Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care ( UBHC ), established in 1971, offers a full continuum of evidence based behavioral health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey. UBHC’s 1,060 experienced behavioral health professionals and support staff are dedicated to treatment, prevention, and education. UBHC , one of the largest providers of behavioral health care in the country, has a budget of $260 million and has 15 sites throughout New Jersey. Services are readily accessible and include: inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, screening, crisis stabilization, family/caregiver support, community outreach and case management, supportive housing, supported employment, prevention and consultation, employee assistance programs, and a licensed therapeutic school from preschool through high school. Specialty services include the New Jersey suicide prevention helpline and peer help lines for police, veterans, active military, teachers, mothers of special needs children and child protective service workers. In FY2016, UBHC treated 16,199 consumers, had 24,502 admissions, and touched the lives of 19,441 individual callers through peer support. In addition, UBHC is the primary mental health training resource for the New Jersey departments of Human Services, Children and Families, and Corrections, delivering 16,000 trainings each year.

Preferred Qualifications
Previous experience with children (ages 5 – 11 years).