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Behavioral Health Assistant Jobs in Rutherford, NJ

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Behavioral Health Assistant information

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How much do behavioral health assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for behavioral health assistant in Rutherford, NJ is $20.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.43 and $23.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are common challenges faced by behavioral health assistants and how can they be managed?

Behavioral Health Assistants often encounter emotionally charged situations, such as working with individuals experiencing mental health crises or behavioral outbursts. Managing personal stress, maintaining professional boundaries, and practicing self-care are essential for sustaining effectiveness in this role. Many organizations provide regular supervision, peer support, and access to training programs to help Behavioral Health Assistants navigate these challenges and enhance their resilience. Being proactive in seeking support and utilizing available resources contributes to both personal well-being and professional growth.

What is a behavioral health assistant?

Behavioral Health Assistants are professionals who support individuals dealing with mental health or behavioral issues under the supervision of licensed clinicians. They help implement treatment plans, monitor patients’ progress, and provide guidance in daily activities to promote mental well-being. Their duties may include observing behaviors, assisting with therapeutic activities, maintaining patient records, and offering emotional support. This role is vital in settings such as hospitals, clinics, residential facilities, and community organizations.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a behavioral health assistant?

To thrive as a Behavioral Health Assistant, you need a foundational understanding of mental health concepts, basic patient care skills, and often a relevant associate degree or certification in behavioral health or a related field. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), crisis intervention techniques, and patient observation tools is typically required. Strong interpersonal communication, empathy, and the ability to remain calm under stress are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure effective support for patients, accurate documentation, and the maintenance of a safe, therapeutic environment.

How long does it take to become a behavioral health assistant?

Becoming a behavioral health assistant typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with some positions preferring or requiring postsecondary training or certification, which can take a few months to a year. On-the-job training is common, and gaining relevant skills or certifications in mental health or healthcare can enhance job prospects and may influence the time needed to start working in the role.
What are the most commonly searched types of Behavioral Health jobs in Rutherford, NJ? The most popular types of Behavioral Health jobs in Rutherford, NJ are:
What cities near Rutherford, NJ are hiring for Behavioral Health Assistant jobs? Cities near Rutherford, NJ with the most Behavioral Health Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Behavioral Health Assistant job openings in Rutherford, NJ as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,639 per year, or $20 per hour.

Behavioral Health Care Manager

MetroPlusHealth

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$82K - $83K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago


MetroPlusHealth rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

264th of 304 rated insurance


Job description

Empower. Unite. Care.
MetroPlusHealth is committed to empowering New Yorkers by uniting communities through care. We believe that Health care is a right, not a privilege. If you have compassion and a collaborative spirit, work with us. You can come to work being proud of what you do every day.

About NYC Health + Hospitals

MetroPlusHealth provides the highest quality healthcare services to residents of Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island through a comprehensive list of products, including, but not limited to, New York State Medicaid Managed Care, Medicare, Child Health Plus, Exchange, Partnership in Care, MetroPlus Gold, Essential Plan, etc. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest public health system in the United States, MetroPlusHealth network includes over 27,000 primary care providers, specialists and participating clinics. For more than 30 years, MetroPlusHealth has been committed to building strong relationships with its members and providers.

Position Overview:
The Behavioral Health Care Manager develops, facilitates, and communicates a plan of care in partnership with the member, their assigned Health Home, primary caregiver, the primary and attending physicians, and various Behavioral Health and/or Substance Use Disorder providers. This position collaborates with the aforementioned parties to assess, plan, facilitate, and advocate for options and services to meet a member’s behavioral health needs through communication and available resources.

Work Shifts

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Duties & Responsibilities
  • Clinically assess members for acute behavioral and physical health needs. Generating referrals to providers, community-based resources, and appropriate services and other resources to assist in goal achievement.
  • Expected to meet with members in their homes, shelters, other residential settings, at community agencies, hospital inpatient units and/or day hospital programs.
  • Conduct initial and ongoing Behavioral Health clinical assessments.
  • Develop a formal plan of care for all services needed for the member.
  • Notify physicians for any changes in member's plan of care. Follow up with assigned nurses for clinical updates to plans of care.
  • Document IDT care coordination notes between both internal MetroPlusHealth staff and external BH providers and caregivers.
  • Attend and prepare for bi-Weekly Interdisciplinary Care Team (ICT) meetings which will feature newly enrolled, frequently admitted, high utilizing at risk members.Assist members with the coordination of services from various settings as appropriate. Including facilitating discharge from acute setting and alternate settings. Provides Care Coordination throughout the continuum of care.
  • Optimizes both the quality of care and the quality of life for the MetroPlusHealth members.
  • Assist providers with achieving pay for performance goals and examine the feasibility of Value Based Payment with high volume providers for Mainstream Medicaid.
  • Educate providers on medication and treatment compliance while also promoting the use of Long Acting Injectables.
  • Enlist existing provider network in promoting first episode psychosis treatment.
  • Documents in a comprehensive manner to ensure that all goals, interventions, and care coordination activities for each member in DCMS system, and other applicable software programs, are complaint with professional standards and regulatory guidelines.
  • Evaluate housing needs appropriately and assist with housing application process. Collaborating timely with MetroPlusHeatlh internal housing team for supportive assistance.
  • Contributes to MetroPlusHealth corporate goals through ongoing execution of member care plans and member goal achievement.
  • Performs other appropriate Behavioral Health Departmental duties and participates in other special projects as assigned, including, but not limited to, audit review and preparation, quality improvement, community health education, facility/provider relations and marketing activities.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Master’s Degree in healthcare or related field required
  • 3-5 years of Behavioral Health (Serious Mental Illness & Substance Use Disorder) experience, preferably in a Psychiatric Hospital Inpatient and/or Outpatient experience; and
  • 1-3 years of Behavioral Health Managed Care Case Management experience
  • Working knowledge of NY State Health Home System and Plan of Care process
  • Case Management Experience within the Integrated Collaborative Care Model Approach
  • Previous history of conducting home visits to members as well as assessing them bedside during an inpatient hospitalization or at their long-term Substance Abuse Residential setting.
  • Knowledge of Psyckes, E-Paces, HCS (UAS) MAPP, Microsoft Teams Video knowledge preferred.
  • Medical Background & Bilingual preferred.
  • Previous Quality Management liaison experience with hospitals and other large volume providers to address cost. as well as HEDIS/QARR quality performance, preferred.

Licensure and/or Certification Required:

  • A valid license and current registration to practice as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC),
    Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or
    Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) issued by the New York State Education Department
    (NYSED) is required.
  • If in addition to one of the above licenses, a valid Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
    Counselor (CASAC) Level I, Level II, Advanced, or Master issued by the NYS Office of Addiction
    Services and Supports (OASAS) is preferred.

Professional Competencies:

  • Integrity and Trust

  • Customer Service Member FIRST Focus

  • Superior Technical Computer skills (Microsoft Office, DCMS, Teams Video Application)

  • Exceptional Organizational and Communication Skills

  • Strong interpersonal and assessment skills, the ability to remain calm and poised with challenging
    members who often present as in a constant state of crisis.

#LI-Hybrid #MPH50


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