Peer Support Specialist II

Rutgers University

United States, New Jersey, New Brunswick

Nov 21, 2024

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title	Peer Support Specialist II
Job Category	Staff & Executive - Healthcare
Department	UBHC EISS Somerset OP
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 Peer Support Specialist II for the Early Intervention Support Services ( EISS) Department within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. The primary purpose of the Peer Support Specialist II is to assist in the development and maintenance of a recovery-oriented environment for adults (age 18 through maturity). They will provide a wide range of peer support services to consumers to assist them in regaining control over their own lives and their own recovery process. Provides services in accordance with UBHC and Unit policies and procedures. Among the key duties of this position are the following: Uses his/her own experiences with recovery as a vehicle to establish rapport and relationship building with the consumer or family member. Models for consumers good communication skills, recovery-oriented living skills, effective coping skills, and self-help strategies. Assists consumers in identifying their personal recovery goals, assists in setting objectives for each goal, and determines interventions to be used based on the consumer's recovery/life goals. Is actively involved in the development of the consumer's treatment plan. Educates consumers around meeting self-care needs. Develops and maintains a therapeutic relationship with consumers so that he/she can identify emotional, psychiatric or behavioral changes which may require further intervention or treatment. Helps the consumer effectively address the problem, and/or refers the consumer to the appropriate clinical staff. Acts as liaison to community resources, and assists consumers in using these resources to enhance their independent living skills. Works collaboratively with treatment team and consumers to develop and implement discharge plan which assists consumers in their recovery from mental illness.
Position Status	Full Time
Hours Per Week
Daily Work Shift	Day
Work Arrangement	This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.
FLSA	Nonexempt
Grade	187
Position Salary
Annual Minimum Salary	53144.00
Annual Mid Range Salary	54184.00
Annual Maximum Salary	55806.40
Standard Hours	40.00
Union Description	Teamsters 97
Payroll Designation	PeopleSoft
Benefits	Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.
Seniority Unit
Terms of Appointment	Staff - 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility	PERS

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	High school diploma or equivalent. Be a self-identified current or former user of mental health or co-occurring services who has personal experience and knowledge of recovery and has a minimum of one (1) year of experience supporting others.
Certifications/Licenses	Valid driver's license.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities	Knowledge about psychosocial rehabilitation and the recovery model is essential. Be able to work independently and as a member of a team. Have good knowledge of public transit system or willingness to learn and teach. Be able to use computer to record services or be willing to learn.
Preferred Qualifications	Peer training certification.
Equipment Utilized
Physical Demands and Work Environment	PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Occasional time spent traveling to community settings for outreaches. Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 25 pounds). Frequently walks, bends, stretches, pushes and pulls. Manual dexterity and mobility for charting. Lifts supplies, equipment and charts. Sitting while interviewing clients; may sit up to several hours in one place. Working with seriously mentally ill adults. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Varied work settings include office and community setting. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Handles emergency or crisis situations. May be exposed to clients exhibiting assaultive or aggressive behaviors. Generally pleasant working conditions in a clean, well-lighted, and quiet to moderately loud setting.
Special Conditions	Be able to work evenings, weekends and holidays.

Posting Details

Posting Number	24ST1179
Posting Open Date
Special Instructions to Applicants
Regional Campus	Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)
Home Location Campus	Off Campus
City	Branchburg
State	NJ
Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement