Behavior Specialist Res

Ensures people are supported in a manner which honors the mission and philosophy through the development of the behavior support plan (CSP) and training of the direct support professionals in its use. Provides instruction, direction, coaching, and support to direct care professionals of the residential program. Works collaboratively and openly as part of an interdisciplinary team with program specialists to ensure the implementation of best practices and person directed services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Mission and Philosophy:

• Utilizes positive approaches in every interaction with all direct support professionals, program specialists, behavior specialists, managers, directors, and people supported.

• Ensures that the wishes, hopes, dreams, and fears of each person supported are respected, and that their rights are honored across all settings.

• Performs all job duties with the understanding that their highest priority is what is most important to the person supported.

• Communicates as needed with all team members [i.e., person supported, direct support professionals, family members, advocates, support coordinators, therapists, and other providers] to ensure quality services and collaboration.

• Acts as a positive role model and demonstrates professionalism, dignity, and respect towards the people supported, co-workers, management, and other associates both within and outside the organization.

• Provides ongoing clinical consultation, training, and guidance to the direct support professionals. Ensures all team members are working towards the person's vision of a meaningful and everyday life.

• Carries out all planning, development, prevention, and intervention strategies using a restraint free and least restrictive methodology.

Licensing and Contractual Compliance:

• Review ISP, BSP, related supporting documents, and annual plans in Evolv at least annually for each person supported, if not more often, and complete the Staff Document Review

• Attends psychiatric/psychological consults as necessary.

• Monitors and evaluates services and supports provided to the person.

• Coordinates the training of direct support professionals on the behavior support plan anytime an update is made to the document or supports being provided.

• Meets with people supported and their teams, at a frequency which ensures effective support.

• Submits behavior specialist service entries in Evolv to document supports provided at a frequency deemed appropriate given the needs and strengths of the person supported.

• Complete and pass the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) training certification process within 3 weeks of hire.

• Provides training to direct support professionals on the new/updated behavior support plan, restrictive procedure plans, positive approaches, as well as risk management plan where applicable.

Administrative:

• Chairs or co-chairs comprehensive activities.

• Completes an FBA for each person assigned caseload and updaters when progress/regression occurs.

• Seeks out and participates in training (minimum of 24 hours yearly) and other educational opportunities that contribute to professional growth.

• Provides both direct and consultative supports to the person supported and their team and documents such in a behavior specialist service entry in Evolv.

• Provides 24 hour on-call clinical consultation to direct support professionals and program specialists during rotating designated periods.

• Develops additional resources, plans, and completes assessments to address identified needs of the person supported. This may include tools such as but not limited to:

• PRN Protocols

• Communication Systems

• PECS

• Restrictive Procedure Plan

• Refusal Plan

• Risk management plan

• Behavior Specialist Supports Scale (BSSS)

• Performs other duties as requested by the Residential Operations Manager

Financial Management:

• Correctly and accurately completes and submits by stated deadline, InVision Customized Services required information such as timesheets, mileage documentation, expense reports as well as any personal information required by federal, state, or local doctrines, such as verification of driver's license, physical exam, and vehicle insurance

• Reports immediately any discrepancies related to the use of personal or company funds.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position has no direct or indirect reports. While the position does not have direct reports, at times, there may be a need to lead and direct other staff, some occupying equivalent or higher-level positions in the company, on an interim or project basis. The position may contribute to the overall performance evaluation of direct support professionals as it pertains to the clinical aspect of an employee's job responsibilities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

A master's degree or above in Social Work, Psychology, or Education from an accredited college or university and 2 years work experience working directly with persons with developmental disabilities.

Direct experience writing individual support plans, which include social, emotional, environment, to address medical, health, safety, psychiatric, behavioral, social, and vocational outcomes strongly preferred. Knowledge of the general workings of federal, state, and county social services networks and funding sources preferable. The incumbent must have a working knowledge of positive and person-centered approaches and embrace the right of all people to have full and meaningful lives.

Other Requirements:

• Extensive local travel.

• Staff hired will be at least twenty-one years of age and will have received Acts 33 and Criminal clearances. All staff will be routinely screened for exclusion from participation in Federal Health Care Programs.

• Valid driver's license and current vehicle insurance , registration and inspection as well as access to a vehicle.

• Maintain training compliance as defined in all pertinent regulations.

• Ability to comprehend, access, and utilize electronic medium and various computer programs.

• Ability to effectively present information, write reports, and respond to questions from both internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to comprehend and apply basic mathematical concepts.

• Some non-traditional working hours (i.e., evenings/weekends/early mornings) will be necessary to meet the needs of the people supported.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk. The employee is also required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform any job-related function as directed by their supervisor.