"Habilitation Counselor"

Position Summary

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Habilitation Counselor in the Child & Adolescent Services of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

Participates 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:

• Participates in and/or co-leads therapeutic groups and activities and functions as an active member of the School Base Team. Recognizes the unique needs and behaviors of the children (age 5 – 18 years).
• Spends appropriate or designated percentage of time in direct service with school personnel, families and/or children as designated by supervisor as indicated by monthly log.
• Works directly with school administrator and staff to build capacity on the Responsive Referral Process under the direction of the supervisor.
• 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 as designed by the supervisor.

Minimum Education and Experience

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.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

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.