Wellness Specialist (Case Manager)

BRIDGEWAY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES•Union, NJ

12d•$49,000 - $53,000

About The Position

As a member of the multidisciplinary Community Support Services team, the Wellness Specialist provides resource development, skill development, and direct support to help people with serious mental illness who are enrolled in CSS fully integrate into the community of their choice. The role promotes a wellness- and recovery-oriented environment through person-first language, respectful documentation, person-centered planning, evidence-based practices, and compliance with applicable policies, regulations, laws, and professional standards. The Wellness Specialist works with licensed staff and the broader team to assess needs, develop and monitor individualized rehabilitation and recovery plans, deliver rehabilitative and therapeutic services, coordinate care, and engage people in treatment. Services may include crisis intervention, supportive counseling, medication and mental health education, community-living skills, and wellness curricula such as Illness Management and Recovery and WRAP. The position also supports team members with wellness and health-literacy resources, consults with service providers, completes required chart documentation, and participates in rotating 24-hour on-call coverage. The role serves Hudson and Essex Counties, with a home base in Union. Work hours are Sunday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Salary is $49,000–$53,000, dependent on degree.

Requirements

Associate degree from an accredited college or university in a helping profession such as social work, human services, counseling, psychiatric rehabilitation, psychology, or criminal justice, and at least two years of experience in a community-based behavioral healthcare setting; psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner certification may substitute for one year of experience. Staff employed under this qualification cannot supervise others and must work under the supervision of a specified licensed or master’s-level professional.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a helping profession such as social work, human services, counseling, psychiatric rehabilitation, psychology, or criminal justice.
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a helping profession such as social work, human services, counseling, psychiatric rehabilitation, psychology, or criminal justice.
A bachelor’s degree in a field other than a helping profession requires at least two years of professional experience in a community behavioral healthcare setting.
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner certification may substitute for one year of experience.
Valid driver’s license, with no more than one moving violation within the past 12 months.
Vehicle required.

Responsibilities

Contribute on an ongoing basis to the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Needs Assessment.
Participate with licensed staff in developing, implementing, monitoring, and updating individualized rehabilitation plans and Individual Recovery Plans (IRPs).
Perform therapeutic rehabilitative skill development as outlined in CSS regulations.
Provide services that meet each person’s needs as identified in the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Needs Assessment and included in their IRP.
Perform crisis intervention as indicated.
Coordinate and manage services in conjunction with the team.
Provide supportive counseling, medication education, mental health education, and early crisis intervention.
Engage people receiving services in the treatment process.
Use Illness Management and Recovery, WRAP, and other relevant health and wellness curricula to make wellness a key focus of recovery plans.
Use appropriate evidence-based practices, which may include Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral and Educational Strategies, Trauma Informed Care, Career Services, Permanent Supportive Housing, IMR, and WRAP.
Provide mental health education, community-living skills training, and supportive counseling in homes and other natural environments to people served and significant others.
Provide 24-hour on-call coverage on a rotating schedule.
Provide team members with technical assistance and education on recovery and wellness; collaborate on materials and strategies for teaching wellness, promoting hope, choice and empowerment, and spirituality.
Help ensure health-literacy principles are reflected in services and supports, especially for people at risk for metabolic syndrome.
Consult with service providers and resource people about assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation needs.
Complete chart documentation for assigned individuals according to CSS regulations.
Maintain a wellness- and recovery-oriented environment using person-first language, respectful documentation, person-centered planning, and evidence-based practices.
Promote compliance with internal and external policies, regulations, laws, and high ethical and professional standards.