"Mental Health Clinician II"

Position Summary:

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Mental Health Clinician II for the Center for Recovery and Wellbeing, Addiction Services within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The primary purpose of the Mental Health Clinician II is to serve as the senior mental health practitioner who provides lead functions for the program, to include screening of intakes and referrals, care coordination, ensuring completion of program specific documentation and/or comprehensive assessment and therapeutic intervention for the psychological and social needs of child and adolescent (ages 3-17 years) and/or adult individuals served (18 and over), including development of treatment plans, conducting individual, group, and family therapy, and providing case management. Assists with the provision of clinical supervision to licensing candidates as assigned.

Key Duties:

• Effectively contributes to and supports an environment that enhances the positive self-image of individuals served and their families and preserves their human dignity, right to fair and equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy and civil rights.
• Actively and enthusiastically participates in ensuring the smooth functioning and operation of the program, and participates in UBHC-wide meetings, performance improvement activities, committees and task forces as assigned.
• Provides assessments and ongoing therapeutic services with flexibility, empathy and concern for individuals served based on sound clinical judgment.
• In clinical programs, assesses individuals for mental health and substance use disorders, arrives at accurate DSM5 diagnosis by the end of the evaluation in consultation with team members, completes documentation and updates diagnosis when new information and clinical status warrant.
• In community programs, acts as a liaison with referral source and community based services, coordinates and schedules intake appointments and outreaches, conducts and documents eligibility screenings and clinical assessments including rehabilitation needs assessments for program referrals and intakes, updates diagnosis when new information and clinical status warrant, maintains records and submits reports as required.
• Effectively engages, involves and advocates for individuals served, their families and support systems, and collaborates with other staff members, referral sources, and community providers, develops and maintains excellent working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Formulates documentation in accordance with prescribed time frames as indicated by periodic record review.
• Facilitates and leads staff/team meetings, case-conferences and clinical case review meetings and participates actively in ensuring program activities are adequately covered.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Master's Degree in mental health discipline plus two (2) years post Master's experience in the mental health field including delivering psychotherapeutic services to the identified population, or a Doctorate Degree.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Physical Demands: Ability to speak clearly and write/type proficiently is essential. Ability to implement universal precautions and safety precautions. Extended sitting is required to provide treatment and prepare clinical documentation.

Work Environment: Moderate noise (examples: business office with computers and printers, light traffic). Subject to unpredictable situations and both medical and psychiatric crises. Possible exposure to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors. Possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens that require use of personal protective equipment. May be exposed to varying or extreme temperatures. Individuals in community programs may be exposed to varied community environments, and may be required to use personal vehicles for community outreaches within and outside the county.