Mental Health Specialist IV (Multiple Vacancies)

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Mental Health Specialist IV in the Child & Adolescent Services – School Based Program of Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare.

The Mental Health Specialist IV participates as a member of the School Based Program's staff assisting with therapeutic and special education services to children.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary staff team implementing each child's treatment plan.
• Assists Special Education Teacher with educational services to children.
• Participates in the development of children's individual treatment plan.
• Maintains appropriate boundaries with children and families. Interacts with children and family members therapeutically with empathy and respect.
• Maintains cooperative and respectful working relations with co-workers.
• Provides behavior crisis prevention and intervention, as needed, including personal restraints (once trained) and conducting debriefing discussions.
• Assists in providing therapeutic activities.
• Provides ongoing supervision of children individually and in groups at arrival, dismissal, during lunch, and throughout the day.
• Observes children carefully and shares observations with other members of the staff team.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Successful completion of a one (1) year training program as a Mental Health Specialist Trainee or one (1) year of similar full-time paid experience (part time and/or per diem experience may be substituted for the full-time equivalent).
• At least two (2) years of college, preferably in a related field, including twelve (12) verified credits in a relevant mental health, social or human services field, such as psychology, social work, or counseling.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Employee must be physically active and be on feet most of the day. Duties may involve running and playing active games with children and adolescents (4 – 21 years). Following training, employee must be physically capable of safely providing personal restraint to agitated children.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:Crowded and moderately noisy conditions with children, adolescents, and staff moving about.