Mental Health Specialist III - Per Diem

Mental Health Specialist III - Per Diem

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.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a per diem Mental Health Specialist III for the Acute Psychological Services Department within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. The primary purpose of the per diem Mental Health Specialist III is to participate as a member of the unit team providing care for all age groups in accordance with facility policy and procedure. Demonstrates leadership skills and assists the Staff Nurse with staff assignments, orientation of new staff and formulation of patient groups. Among the key duties of this position are the following: Assists the Staff Nurse with MHS IV assignments, orientation of new staff and formulation of patient groups when required. Assists the Staff Nurse in planning patient care. Provides care based on the patient's established care plan, under the supervision of the Staff Nurse. Observes patient's behaviors and when necessary notifies appropriate staff. Assists in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment that respects patients' rights. Assists the patients with activities of daily living, encouraging independent behavior, when appropriate. Assists patients and observes patients during mealtimes in the cafeteria and on the unit. Monitors the milieu for changes in patient behavior. Also, observes interaction between patients and visitors.