Residential Specialist

RWJBarnabas Health; Elizabeth (NJ); On-site; USD 35,817 - 41,328; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plans

Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance

Wellness Programs

Job summary

RWJBarnabas Health is looking for a Residential Specialist in Elizabeth, NJ. This role involves supporting a specialized psychiatric unit for youth, providing crisis management and facilitating daily operations.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and experience in crisis interventions. A driver's license is also essential. Comprehensive benefits are offered including paid time off, medical insurance, and wellness programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, ideally in Psychology or Social Work.
• Experience with crisis management and de‑escalation techniques.

Responsibilities

• Support daily operations of the adolescent inpatient unit.
• Implement medical plans and oversee medication delivery.
• Lead daily community meetings and coordinate shift tasks.

Skills

Crisis management

Behavioral de‑escalation

Assessment of safety issues

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Criminal Justice or related field

Job description

Job Title: Residential Specialist

Location: 654 E. Jersey Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07206

Req #: 0000251320

Status: Per Diem

Shift: Evening

Pay Range: $26.40 per hour

Job Overview

Join the New Point Specialty (NPS) team at Trinitas Regional Medical Center as a Residential Specialist in our Adolescent Inpatient Residential Unit. In this critical role, you will support a 15‑bed specialized psychiatric facility serving youth ages 14 to 18 who exhibit severe behavioral, trauma‑related, and emotional disturbances. This position offers a rewarding opportunity to provide hands‑on crisis management, coordinate daily shift operations, and lead supportive interventions within a trauma‑focused care model.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (B.A.) in Psychology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or a related field.
• Proven experience in crisis management and behavioral de‑escalation techniques.
• Unencumbered, current driver's license with a clean driving record validated by the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVA).
• Strong ability to assess age‑specific safety issues and implement specialized trauma‑informed protocols.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in an inpatient psychiatric facility, residential treatment center, or youth shelter.
• Familiarity with the New Jersey Children's System of Care (CSOC) and PerformCare.

Scheduling Requirements

• Per Diem – Evening Shift

Essential Functions

• Report directly to the Program Director and Assistant Director regarding day‑to‑day unit events and planned resident activities.
• Coordinate shift tasks, assign duties to staff, and lead daily resident community meetings and psycho‑educational groups.
• Exercise clinical discretion and judgment regarding the need for psychiatric or medical emergency services, reporting directly to on‑call clinical or nursing staff.
• Implement medical plans of care following physician and nursing instructions, including overseeing state‑standard medication delivery.
• Support crisis management efforts by tracking precipitants, documenting interventions, participating in patient restraints when necessary, and executing elopement protocols.
• Maintain a secure unit environment by screening visitors, updating the visitation log, and providing supportive interventions during family interactions.
• Contribute to the formulation, implementation, and adaptation of individualized treatment plans developed by the multidisciplinary team.
• Serve as a mentor and preceptor to new residential staff members and students rotating through the unit.
• Participate actively in staff and unit meetings, contributing suggestions to optimize team safety and patient outcomes.

Benefits and Perks

At RWJBarnabas Health, our employees are at the heart of everything we do. Driven by our Total Wellbeing promise, our market‑competitive offerings include comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees' physical, emotional, financial, personal, career, and community wellbeing. These benefits and resources include, but are not limited to:

• Paid Time Off including Vacation, Holidays, and Sick Time
• Retirement Plans
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Disability and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Planning Support
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits
• Community and Volunteer Opportunities
• Discounts through partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, and Verizon

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer