Behavioral Health Aide - per diem - Multiple Vacancies

Rutgers University; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 22,000 - 207,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Paid vacation/leave

Competitive retirement benefits

Education benefits

Life insurance

Job summary

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC) seeks a per diem Behavioral Health Aide for the Inpatient Services Department. The role provides continuous, one-to-one observation and support for patients with acute mental health symptoms, helping maintain a safe and supportive environment.

Responsibilities include reporting escalations to the clinical team, documenting safety checks, and assisting with daily activities while upholding professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and observation skills.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to perform the essential duties of the position.

Responsibilities

• Provides constant, uninterrupted one-to-one observation for patients at risk for self-harm, harm to others, aggression, or emotional distress.
• Reports escalating patient behaviors, mood changes, and concerns to the clinical care team.
• Completes and documents safety observations per policy, requirements, and intervals (including 15-minute checks).
• Maintains calm, professional demeanor during crisis and uses approved de-escalation techniques.
• Assists patients with daily living activities, ambulation, meals, hydration, and comfort measures.

Skills

Observation skills

Communication

English proficiency

Crisis de-escalation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Position Title

Behavioral Health Aide - per diem - Multiple Vacancies

Department

UBHC - Acute Psychological Ser

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 per diem Behavioral Health Aide within the Inpatient Services Department for Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. The primary purpose of the per diem 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).
• Maintains a calm and professional demeanor during patient escalation or crisis situations and utilizes approved verbal redirection and de-escalation techniques.
• 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.
• Fosters respectful, culturally responsive, and compassionate interactions with patients, families, visitors, and interdisciplinary team members while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.

FLSA

Nonexempt

Grade

99H

Salary Details

Minimum Salary 15.92

Mid Range Salary 50.00

Maximum Salary 150.000

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

• 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

Position Status

Per Diem

Working Hours

Standard Hours 19.00

Daily Work Shift Rotating

Work Arrangement This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Employment Details

• Union Description Teamster Per Diem
• Payroll Designation PeopleSoft
• Seniority Unit
• Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month
• Position Pension Eligibility PERS

Minimum Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and observation skills required.
• 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 preferred.

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.

Posting Number

26ST1689

Location

• Regional Campus Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)
• Home Location Campus Piscataway (RBHS)
• City Piscataway
• State NJ

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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 encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Supplemental Questions

• * Do you have a High School Diploma or GED?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Documents

• Resume/CV

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application