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 Middlesex Children's Mobile Response and Stabilization Services ( CMRSS) within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The primary purpose of the Habilitation Counselor is to provides assessments for the Children's Mobile Response and Stabilization Services ( CMRSS) program in Middlesex County that meet quality and quantity standards within UBHC and the Children's System of Care (CSoC). Performs functions in support of the UBHC mission providing streamlined, prompt, and "consumer friendly" crisis response services. Receives telephone requests for service, undertakes crisis assessment of the service needs 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.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. The flexible work arrangements outlined in Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 are part of a pilot program that is effective September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024. Therefore, there is no guarantee that this flexible work arrangement will continue beyond that date. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, are subject to change or cancellation and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System. Additional information may be found at https://futureofwork.rutgers.edu.

Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.
Rutgers also offers a benefit program to eligible full-time postdoctoral fellow students. For details, please go to https://finance.rutgers.edu/healthcare-risk/insurance/postdoctoral-health-insurance.

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 Middlesex 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 Middlesex County, with some neighborhoods being considered dangerous.