Screening Clinician

Position Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Screening Clinician for the Acute Psychiatric Services (APS) within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The primary purpose of the Screening Clinician position is to perform psychiatric emergency services, screening, and screening outreach assessments as well as other mental health services. Demonstrates competence in providing generic crisis assessment of individuals of all ages (birth through 65+ years) and in determining the need for any additional professional consultation. Demonstrates competence in devising an appropriate intervention/disposition plan.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Identifies the appropriate level of care disposition from skill based knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria, clinical expertise, and departmental criteria.
• Serves assigned shifts providing on-site, outreach screening and commitment evaluations in an effective and skillful manner.
• Utilizes person, family and agency information to determine an appropriate screening outcome for persons served.
• Completes all documentation within required timeframe.
• Maintains comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of eligibility and admission criteria for units, programs, and contracts served by the department.
• Effectively contributes to and supports an environment that enhances the positive self-image of persons served and preserves their human dignity.
• Actively and enthusiastically participates and contributes to smooth functioning and operations of unit.
• Maintains the level of competency necessary to be able to conduct the initial evaluations of the commitment process.
• Regularly attends and participates in in-service meetings and other designated training events that will enhance clinical skills, as documented by continuing education reports.
• Keeps abreast of developments in theory and technique related to the field as indicted by contributions to discussions in clinical meetings.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Master's Degree in a mental health related field from an accredited institution.
• One (1) year post-master, full time, professional experience in a psychiatric setting.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Frequent prolonged sitting. Observe converses with patient. Frequent talking and listening in groups as well as on the telephone. Frequently walks, bends, stretches, and pulls. Manual dexterity and mobility for charting. Drives to offsite work locations. Per clinical demand, may have to work long hours.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases. Possibility of cuts, bruises, strains. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Handles emergency or crisis situations. Occasionally exposed to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors. Generally pleasant working conditions in a clean, well-lighted, and quiet to moderately loud setting. Occasionally exposed through outreach to unstable, unhygienic environments.