Mental Health Specialist III

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC)

Established in 1971, UBHC offers a full continuum of evidence‑based behavioral health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey. With 1,060 experienced behavioral health professionals and support staff, UBHC is dedicated to treatment, prevention, and education across 15 sites nationwide. Services 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 assisted 19,441 individual callers through peer support. UBHC also serves as the primary mental health training resource for New Jersey’s Departments of Human Services, Children and Families, and Corrections, delivering 16,000 trainings each year.

Rutgers University is seeking a Mental Health Specialist III in the Adult Partial Hospital of Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare. The primary purpose of the position is to provide daily direct‑care services to the program’s consumers as directed by the unit supervisor in accordance with all regulatory requirements and principles of Wellness and Recovery.

• Assume direct‑care responsibilities for consumers and provide case‑management counseling, crisis intervention, psycho‑education, skills building, and educational services as identified by individual program.
• Counsel consumers, including family members, with empathy, respect, and concern.
• Engage consumers in appropriate treatment interventions based on service plan and supervisory directive.
• Respond sensitively to spiritual, cultural, and socioeconomic issues of consumers.
• Provide services and interventions that promote consumer strengths and develop the independence and sense of autonomy of all consumers.

FLSA Nonexempt – Grade 177. Minimum salary $26,730, mid range $27,230, maximum $28,050. Final salary offer may vary based on qualifications, experience, and available grant or department funds to ensure fair compensation within the university’s broader structure.

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax‑deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

For detailed information on benefits and eligibility, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-overview
.

Full Time – Standard

Hours:

40.00 hours per week – Daily

Work Shift:

Day – Fully on‑site work arrangement.

Teamsters 97

Minimum

Education and Experience:

• Three (3) years of full‑time paid experience in the mental health field, or two (2) years of college majoring in a relevant social or health care field plus one (1) year of full‑time experience in the mental health field.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Applicants possessing a degree in Social Work must have an active New Jersey certification/licensure as required by the State Board of Social Work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

• Employee spends much time walking, standing while facilitating groups, bending, and talking with consumers throughout the program.
• Moderate noise level.
• Employee may lift up to 20 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

• Crisis intervention required at times.
• Moderate noise (e.g., business office with computers and printers, light traffic).
• Subject to unpredictable situations, patient crises, both medical and psychiatric.
• Occasionally exposed to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors.
• Exposure to blood borne pathogens requiring use of personal protective equipment.

Posting…