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Jennifer Obsuth

Behavioral Health Services NJ

Residential Counselor Full Time

Career Opportunities /

Summary of Position:  Observe and assist 3-7 consumers in a residential setting, with ongoing counseling for mental health services. All residential group home counselors are viewed as essential personnel in states of emergency and need to comply with work schedules accordingly. $500 SIGN ON BONUS! Responsibilities: On-site services and support; Communicating observations and information about the consumer to the program specialist and team; Counselor will demonstrate proficiency in AMHR, WRAP and IMR; Supervising, organizing and supporting recreational and/or socialization activities; Transportation Resident counseling Crisis intervention services, with ability to call police, outreach and ambulance services Participation in the development of the brief visit process, treatment service plan, discharge plan, or any other behavioral modification plan; Participation in individual service, coordinating activities such as medical, mental, health and community services; Documenting observations, information and services provided to the consumer in daily shift notes, weekly progress notes, or any other emergent documentation needed; Assists with facility clean-up when needed; Supervise medication self-administration by the consumer, and has a working knowledge of medications and side effects; Outreach family members when applicable, give support and education; Spends majority of shift with consumer(s); On-going communication with specialist regarding consumers and exhibited behaviors; Must maintain required CPR, Handle With Care and first aid education/certification; Monitors life safety needs and participates in/provides documentation of Fire Drills, Fire Equipment Inspections, AED Inspections, Disaster Drills, Vehicle Safety Reports, Monthly Sanitation Reports, First Aid Supplies, Daily Refrigerator and Freezer Temperature Forms, Weekly Dishwasher and Weekly Food Temperature Forms; Must exercise flexibility as needed with reassignment to other group home to comply with consumer census policy and staff shortages. Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Related Field OR Associate’s degree and 2 years of related work or life experience OR LPN and 2 years of related work or life experience OR High School diploma and 4 years of work or life experience. Valid NJ Driver’s License Per Diem employees must work a minimum of 4 shifts per month to maintain active status Apply to:  Jobs@preferredbehavioral.org EOE

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Behavioral Health Services NJ

Administrative Assistant – IOTSS Program

Career Opportunities /

Summary: This position assists the IOTSS team with daily program organization and general office management duties. Courteously greets consumers and visitors in person or via telephone, determines their needs and directs them accordingly. Schedules and tracks medication management appointments including follow up. Provides typing as needed for staff members, uploading documents, and sends certified mail outreach letters as requested by clinical staff. Competencies: Qualifications: Benefits: If you are looking to make an impact by helping others, then Preferred Behavioral Health Group is the place for you! By joining our award-winning team, you will be part of the premier behavioral health organization in Monmouth and Ocean counties; a dynamic and innovative non-profit that was proudly named “Outstanding Employer of the Year” by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA). Our mission is to deliver quality and compassionate behavioral health services to individuals and families through a Trauma-Informed Care philosophy and approach. Our staff is at the core of everything we do. We are dedicated to building a diverse team, one where employees feel a sense of belonging and are valued for their contributions. We encourage and embrace staff development and growth. If you are ready for an exciting and rewarding career, please submit your resume EOE Apply to: jobs@preferredbehavioral.org Preferred Behavioral Health requires all qualified candidates to be fully vaccinated upon their first day of employment.  Requests for reasonable accommodation due to disability or religious belief will be considered.

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A “ConvHERsation” with PBHG Chief Executive Officer Tara Chalakani, PsyD

News /

Join Dr. Tara as she discusses mental health and trauma-informed care in this podcast designed for about women in business. “Dr. Tara’s extensive experience in health care, and more specifically, behavioral health care, spans over three decades.  She has devoted much of her career to the mental health crisis in America among children and adults. Dr. Tara is passionate about educating and helping others heal from trauma. She emphasizes the impact trauma has on the brain, emotions, and relationships. She is an advocate and champion of women, and their success in all domains of life, and welcomes opportunities to promote and mentor them.” Here is the link: https://bit.ly/3QtN5Fv January 11, 2023

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Angela’s Story with an Update!

News /

“I am so happy I have the opportunity to talk about my experience with Project Independence and Lori.  She truly has been nothing short of an absolute godsend and a miracle worker! When I went into foster care it felt a lot like I had no one in my corner and then I met her, and everything sort of fell into place after all of the lessons she had to teach me.”  Angela – Age 22 – Toms River – 2019 When Angela was 14, her stepfather, a man she admired and respected, passed away.  Her Mom, suffering from bi-polar depression, contracted an illness at the nursing home she was working at, ended up losing her job, losing her health insurance, and unable to afford her bipolar medications.  She returned to heroin, which she had successfully quit years before, and the family situation began to spiral out of control.  There was abuse and neglect, and Angela turned to alcohol and contemplated suicide.  When she was 16, she and her nephew (age 6) were removed from the home and placed into foster care. When she was a senior in high school, she joined Project Independence.  Project Independence is a program of Preferred Behavioral Health Group that provides life skills for children in out-of-home placements, such as foster care.  Working with Lori O’Brien, she realized that she would be able to realize her dream of attending college – which she never believed would happen – “it was like a dream come true,” she said.  She and Lori worked on budgeting, money management, college application forms, and searched for grants, scholarships, and other financial aid.  The following year she enrolled in Ocean County College where she earned her Associate Degree in Criminal Justice two years later.  But she is not finished with her education.  Today, at age 22, she is a Junior, living at Ramapo College, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Forensic Criminology!  It’s a challenge – she works several jobs and is in school full-time, but she is determined with a will to succeed.  She plans to earn her master’s degree in Forensic Psychology.  When she is not living at school, she stays with her Mom, who has been drug-free since a few months after Angela and her nephew were removed from the home.  They are working at rebuilding their relationship.  It isn’t easy, but according to Angela, “being bitter takes too much effort…I’m working at compassion.” Angela credits Project Independence with giving her the tools she needed to succeed.  “I go to Lori with all of my questions, school and general life- related.  I know for a fact that without Lori, I never would have made it to being a junior at a college I’ve loved since I saw it.  I never even thought I would make it to college.  I didn’t have a college fund, I had no resources, no money for tuition or books, nor did I have a clue about all the steps I needed to take to start and then continue my education.  Lori has been and always will be a shining beacon of hope.” An Update on Angela! November 2022 Angela has come a long way in four years. Despite her early challenges, she has persevered and is building a wonderful life for herself. In 2019 she was a junior at Ramapo college, working several jobs to pay her bills and tuition, and looking forward to graduation. Angela graduated with a degree in Psychology in 2020. In 2021, she got married and together she and her husband Cas bought a house in Toms River, where they live with 2 cats, 1 dog, and a bearded dragon! She has a full time job working for in the business of healthcare, and maintains a relationship with her biological mother and her foster family. She continues to stay in touch with her Project Independence mentor Lori and still credits her with giving her the tools she needed to succeed. In her own words: For more information on PBHG’s Project Independence, contact Lori O’Brien at lobrien@preferredbehavioral.org.

Angela’s Story with an Update! Read More »