Adjunct Therapist in BELLEVILLE, New Jersey at RWJBarnabas Health

Job Title: Adjunct Therapist

Location: Clara Maass Medical Center

Department Name: Mental Health Unit-Open Unit

Req #: 0000271615

Status: Hourly

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $35.57 - $35.57 per hour

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

The Adjunct Therapist conducts therapeutic evaluations and develops, implements, and evaluates individualized treatment activities for patients experiencing psychosocial dysfunctions. This role supports patient well-being, therapeutic engagement, functional development, and continuity of care through creative arts therapy, recreational therapy, therapeutic group programming, and participation in interdisciplinary treatment planning. The Adjunct Therapist works collaboratively with patients, families, nursing personnel, medical staff, and other hospital departments to provide safe, effective, compassionate, and patient-centered therapeutic services in accordance with established hospital policies, procedures, and professional standards.

• Conducting therapeutic and recreational therapy evaluations of patients within established time frames to assess psychosocial functioning, therapeutic needs, abilities, and treatment goals.
• Developing, implementing, and adapting individualized therapeutic activities to address patients' specific needs, abilities, disabilities, and functional limitations.
• Planning and facilitating therapeutic groups and activities appropriate to patients' ages, developmental needs, clinical conditions, and treatment objectives.
• Assuming a leadership role in recommending, developing, and implementing therapeutic programs that address patient needs and support established treatment goals.
• Collaborating with creative arts therapists and other members of the therapeutic team to promote continuity of care and consistent implementation of treatment interventions.
• Participating in interdisciplinary treatment planning and contributing to the establishment of clinical priorities, therapeutic goals, and appropriate interventions.
• Implementing therapeutic interventions designed to facilitate patient participation, progress toward treatment goals, psychosocial functioning, and engagement in structured therapeutic and milieu programs.
• Communicating clinically appropriate information obtained through patient interactions to relevant members of the healthcare team to support coordinated care and informed treatment decisions.
• Accurately documenting patient behavior, participation, progress, and involvement in therapeutic activities and milieu programs in accordance with hospital documentation standards.
• Monitoring and evaluating therapeutic group programs on an ongoing basis to assess effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement, and support positive patient outcomes.
• Modifying therapeutic approaches, activities, and interventions to accommodate individual patient needs, including physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial limitations.
• Maintaining a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment that promotes patient dignity, engagement, participation, and well-being.
• Collaborating with patients, families, nursing personnel, medical staff, and other patient-related hospital departments to support individualized treatment planning and continuity of care.
• Following established hospital policies, procedures, clinical guidelines, documentation requirements, and applicable professional standards in all aspects of therapeutic practice.
• Maintaining awareness of potential workplace hazards, including exposure to communicable diseases and the risk of physical injury associated with patient lifting, patient interactions, and equipment operation.
• Demonstrating sound clinical judgment, professional accountability, effective communication, adaptability, and sensitivity to the diverse needs of patients and their families.
• Participating in continuing education, professional development, and relevant training to maintain and enhance clinical competence and therapeutic practice.
• Successfully completing organizational onboarding, hospital orientation, required training, and department-specific competency requirements.
• Practicing within the responsibilities and expectations of the Adjunct Therapist role while maintaining compliance with hospital standards, professional requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Performing duties in accordance with applicable workplace safety practices and accessibility requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as applicable to the position.

• You are passionate about supporting older adults and individuals with disabilities in maintaining their independence, dignity, safety, and quality of life.
• You understand the importance of dependable in-home support services in helping clients remain safely and comfortably in their homes.
• You have strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills and can establish trusting, respectful relationships with clients, families, staff, and volunteers.
• You approach each client with compassion, patience, professionalism, and respect for their individual needs, preferences, and circumstances.
• You are comfortable conducting in-home assessments, identifying client needs, and coordinating appropriate services and support.
• You have strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills and can effectively manage scheduling, worker assignments, documentation, and competing priorities.
• You can respond calmly and effectively to staffing challenges, adjust service arrangements as needed, and help maintain continuity of care when a Home Friend worker is unavailable.
• You communicate effectively with clients, families, staff, and volunteers to address concerns, coordinate services, and support positive client experiences.
• You are adaptable and resourceful, with the ability to respond to changing client needs and day-to-day operational challenges.
• You are committed to providing reliable, person-centered services that promote independence, social connection, and overall well-being for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
• You value teamwork, accountability, and collaboration and understand the importance of coordinating with others to deliver consistent, high-quality in-home services.
• You are motivated by meaningful community-based work and take pride in helping individuals remain connected to their homes and communities with dignity and confidence.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required, with related professional experience; a master's degree in Creative Arts Therapy or a related therapeutic discipline preferred.
• Board certification in Creative Arts Therapy required, as specified by the applicable professional credentialing body.
• Experience conducting therapeutic or recreational therapy evaluations and developing treatment activities for patients with psychosocial dysfunctions preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to assess patient needs and adapt therapeutic activities to accommodate specific disabilities, functional limitations, and individual treatment goals.
• Experience planning, facilitating, and evaluating therapeutic groups and structured treatment activities for appropriate patient age groups.
• Knowledge of therapeutic interventions, creative arts therapy principles, recreational therapy practices, psychosocial functioning, and patient-centered care.
• Demonstrated ability to participate effectively in interdisciplinary treatment planning and collaborate with healthcare professionals to support patient outcomes.
• Strong clinical observation, documentation, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.