Habilitation Counselor

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 Habilitation Counselor for the Essex Children's Mobile Response and Stabilization Services within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The primary purpose of the Habilitation Counselor is to provide clinical assessments for the children's mobile response and stabilization program in Essex County that meet quality and quantity standards within University Behavioral Health Care and the Department of Children and Families/Division of Children's System of Care ( DCSOC). Performs functions in support of the University Behavioral Health Care mission providing streamlined, prompt, and "consumer friendly" crisis response services. Receives telephone requests for service, undertakes crisis/strength-based assessment of the service need of the client or customer, responds by outreach to the family, assesses the youth and family strengths and current crisis situation, makes appropriate referrals for time-limited stabilization services, monitors effectiveness of services and makes linkages for aftercare. Demonstrates competency in recognizing the unique needs and applying relevant crisis stabilization approaches for children and adolescent and their families.

Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, are subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System.

Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The employee frequently spends time prolonged sitting, talking and listening in groups as well as on the telephone, walks, bends, stretches, and pulls. Per program demand, may have to work long hours, travel within the State and lift up to 10 pounds. Must have the ability to drive and to respond to a family crisis in Essex County within one (1) hour when on-call.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Handles phone requests under time and decision making pressure. When in the office, generally pleasant working conditions in a clean well lighted quiet to moderately loud setting. Varied when on outreaches to homes and community settings in Essex County, with some neighborhoods being considered dangerous.