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.

Carries out the treatment plan as developed with input from the patient, family, significant others, and the approval of the treatment team. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Habilitation Counselor for the Child & Adolescent Services – School Based Program within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. The primary purpose of the Habilitation Counselor is to participate as a member of a team in developing and maintaining a comprehensive referral process for children and families. Demonstrates competency in recognizing the needs and behaviors of patients (age 5 – 18 years). Among the key duties of this position are the following:

Spends appropriate or designated percentage of time in direct service with school personnel, families and/or children.

Engages with students and families via school and home visitation and follow-up as necessary to develop effective assessments and referrals to community based agencies to meet the needs of the families.

Provides case management services for patients assigned to caseloads. Demonstrates ability to recognize the unique needs of children and families.

Carries out the treatment plan as developed with input from the patient, family, significant others, and the approval of the treatment team.

Maintains a thorough knowledge of available medical, financial and community resources,.

Enters documentation of any and all relevant information in patient’s chart within 1-5 working days of contact as indicated by random review of records.

Properly identifies problems and seeks reasonable solutions.

Consistently researches new resources to determine whether they would be appropriate for UBHC patients.

Bachelor’s Degree in the mental health field plus one (1) year of related experience working directly with children and their families and the agencies that serve them.

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

Valid driver’s license.

Computer Knowledge

PHYSICAL DEMANDS : Occasional time spent traveling to community settings for outreaches. Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 25 pounds). Frequently walks, bends, stretches, pushes and pulls. Manual dexterity and mobility for charting. Lifts supplies, equipment and charts. Sitting while interviewing clients; may sit up to several hours in one place. Working with seriously mentally ill adults. WORK ENVIRONMENT : Varied work settings include office and community setting. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Handles emergency or crisis situations. May be exposed to clients exhibiting assaultive or aggressive behaviors. Generally pleasant working conditions in a clean, well-lighted, and quiet to moderately loud setting.

Must be available to work one evening per month, to fit within their work hours, as required for parent programming.