Overview

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC), established in 1971, offers a full continuum of evidence based behavioral health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey. UBHC’s 1,060 experienced behavioral health professionals and support staff are dedicated to treatment, prevention, and education. UBHC, one of the largest providers of behavioral health care in the country, has a budget of $260 million and has 15 sites throughout New Jersey. Services are readily accessible and include: inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, screening, crisis stabilization, family/caregiver support, community outreach and case management, supportive housing, supported employment, prevention and consultation, employee assistance programs, and a licensed therapeutic school from preschool through high school. Specialty services include the New Jersey suicide prevention helpline and peer help lines for police, veterans, active military, teachers, mothers of special needs children and child protective service workers. In FY2016, UBHC treated 16,199 consumers, had 24,502 admissions, and touched the lives of 19,441 individual callers through peer support. In addition, UBHC is the primary mental health training resource for the New Jersey departments of Human Services, Children and Families, and Corrections, delivering 16,000 trainings each year.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Behavioral Health Aide for the Acute Psychological Services Department within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The primary purpose of the Behavioral Health Aide is to provide continuous, direct, one-to-one observation and support for patients experiencing acute mental health symptoms. Assists in maintaining a safe and supportive environment for patients.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

Provides constant, uninterrupted one-to-one observation for assigned patients who are at risk for self-harm, harm to others, aggression, or emotional distress.
Assists in maintaining a safe and supportive environment by promptly reporting escalating patient behaviors, mood changes, and concerning activities to the clinical care team.
Completes and documents accurate, timely, and objective safety observations in accordance with organizational policy, regulatory requirements, and established observation intervals (including every 15-minute checks as assigned).
Assists patients with basic activities of daily living, ambulation, meals, hydration, and comfort measures as directed.
Assists with patient orientation to the unit environment, reinforcing unit expectations, behavioral standards, safety protocols, and patient rights as directed by clinical leadership.
Assists staff with patient visitation by helping maintain a calm environment, observing for mood agitation, conflict, or behavioral triggers during visits, and ensuring adherence to unit visitation rules, hours, and visitor limitations.
Conducts environmental safety rounds and immediately reports potential safety hazards.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
Life insurance coverage
Employee discount programs

Minimum Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong communication, interpersonal, and observation skills.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to perform the essential duties of the position.
Ability to maintain continuous alertness, attention, and adherence to safety protocols.
Ability to remain calm and professional in stressful or crisis situations.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with patient observation in psychiatric, behavioral health, hospital, or healthcare settings.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to work flexible schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays if needed. Physical ability to stand, walk, and respond quickly during emergencies.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Moderate noise. Subject to unpredictable situations, patient crisis, medical, substance use-related, and/or psychiatric. Exposure to bloodborne pathogens that require use of personal protective equipment