Vocational Specialist

Expect Success at Bridgeway!

We make a difference in people’s lives by supporting their life goals - our employees and the people we serve alike.

We invest in our employees through competitive compensation and benefits, best practice training, and fostering a team-oriented culture that promotes career development. We nurture an environment that values diversity, where inclusivity, equity, and belonging thrive.

At Bridgeway, Everyone Learns and Grows together.

We give you our best, so you can unleash your full potential.

Who We Are

Bridgeway values and promotes quality clinical and administrative practices to foster the best outcomes for persons who come to us for behavioral healthcare. We offer a work environment that supports teamwork, creativity, innovation, professional growth and dedication to the work. At Bridgeway, we never stop growing and innovating our vision of behavioral healthcare for the future.

Why you should apply

As a Vocational Specialist, you will join an evidence-based program and a dynamic team for the opportunity to learn and refine your clinical and engagement skills and accomplish your dream of helping people to make progress on their unique recovery journeys. The work is sometimes challenging and always rewarding by engaging with persons we serve and co-workers as we all learn, grow, and thrive.

Department: PACT 3

Salary

$45,000 - $51,000 annually

Location: Union, NJ – Outreach in Union County

Work hours: Tuesday-Saturday 8am-4:30pm – (40 hours a week)

Position Overview

As part of a multi-disciplinary, core services team, provides assessment and direct service to individuals with serious and persistent mental illness enrolled in the PACT Program. Assesses individuals’ education and work history, and develops plans and interventions in conjunction with the individual and the team in the area of employment/career services.

Essential Job Functions

Participates

• As a team member in the frequent, on-going monitoring and assessment of the mental health status of persons served as well as related variables, including significant others, the home and the community in which the person lives
• Within the team, in the development of a vocational assessment, comprehensive assessment, and an individualized recovery plan, often focusing on education and employment needs of the individual
• In clinical and non-clinical team meetings, including individual and team supervision. Actively seeks out monthly supervision from supervisor. Ensures documentation is done on time and with quality to ensure adherence to all DMHAS/Medicaid standards.

Provides

• Teaching of skills to support each persons’ individualized recovery journey and community integration
• Mental health education, community living skill training and supportive counseling in the home and other natural environments to person served and significant others, often focusing on education and employment needs
• Assessment of job-related interests and abilities based on a complete education and work history
• Assessment considering the effect of mental illness on an individual’s employment, identification of specific behaviors that interfere with work performance. Development of interventions to address these behaviors
• Supportive counseling to assist in identifying and coping with symptoms that may interfere with work performance
• The evidenced-base practice of Supportive Employment to include all components of the model
• Crisis intervention services (including on-the-job) for persons served with acute psychiatric needs whose circumstances and conditions require rapid intervention
• Technical assistance and education to members of the team in the areas of education and employment.
• Develops materials and strategies for career interventions in conjunction with the team
• Job development in the community to identify opportunities for both paid and volunteer employment
• On-site and off-site job coaching services
• Assessment of service recipients stated concerns, mental illness symptoms, and behavior in response to medication and monitors for medication side-effects during the provision of observed self-administration and during ongoing face-to-face contacts
• Medication education for both individuals and family/significant others with service recipient consent.
• Coordination of services with other community mental health and non-mental health providers, as well as other medical professionals
• Direct assistance to secure safe, clean, affordable housing, food and clothing, medical and dental services, and appropriate financial support.
• Linkage to entitlement benefits such as Medicaid/NJFamilyCare, unemployment, social security, rental assistance , and other public assistance (social services, transportation, legal advocacy and representation)
• Development of WRAP and Psychiatric Advance Directives which includes stage wise treatment utilizing
• Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Interventions and Teaching Strategies
• Utilizes evidenced based practices, including motivational interviewing, IDDT, CBT skills, IMR, Trauma Informed Care, Permanent Supportive Housing and Career Development when engaging individuals with their recovery

Requirements

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor’s in a behavioral science from an accredited institution

Experience

• 2 years’ experience in vocational assessment, job preparation, or individualized job placement and/or job coaching with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness

Driver’s License/Vehicle

• Valid driver’s license required
• No more than one moving violation within the past 12 months
• Vehicle required

Excellent benefits

• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 403b, basic life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, EAP
• Eligible for medical benefits after 30 days of employment
• Flexible work schedules, clinical training series, leadership development program
• 10 paid holidays (an 11th after 2 years of employment), generous vacation and sick time

Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services was founded on a strong desire to fight disparity and injustice alongside people living with behavioral health conditions. We are dedicated to providing a multicultural workplace where everyone feels a sense of purpose and belonging. We provide equal opportunity for employees and applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other classification protected by law.