"Mental Health Specialist IV Per Diem"

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a per diem Mental Health Specialist IV for the Child & Adolescent Services – School Based Program within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. The primary purpose of the per diem Mental Health Specialist IV is to participate 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.
• 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 experience in the mental health field. An Associate's Degree, preferably in a related field, including 12 credits in human services, such as psychology or its equivalent, may be substituted for the minimum requirements of this position.

Equipment Utilized: Computer knowledge.

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.

Special Conditions: Must undergo criminal history background check at employee's expense, as required by NJ State Law.