Behavioral Health Technician - Cvca (Montco/Delco)

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SUBSIDIARY: Carson Valley Children's Aid

PROGRAM: Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) - Montgomery & Delaware Counties

ROLE TYPE: Fee-for-Service

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) is responsible for implementing specific aspects of a treatment plan to an assigned youth or youths in Montgomery County and/or Delaware County. The BHT is additionally responsible for teaching and reinforcing pro-social, adaptive skills and transferring those skills to a family member or school environment. BHTs provide services in the youth's school, home, and/or other community settings individually or in a group.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent

• Must meet ONE of the following:

• Have 2+ years of experience in the provision of behavioral health services

• Have completed a 40-hour training covering the RBT Task List as evidenced by a certification that includes the name of the trainer, who is certified as a BCBA or BCaBA

• Hold a behavioral health certification or behavioral analysis certification from an organization that is accredited by NCCA or ANSI

• Hold one of the following certifications: BCaBA, RBT, or BCAT

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Thorough knowledge of clinical guidelines, service expectations, and authorization requirements

• Ability to demonstrate good judgment

• Ability to handle multiple assignments and manage work-related stress

• Ability to relate well to other individuals

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Major highlights of the position requirements are noted below. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as required.

• Maintain all recordkeeping and documentation.

• Consistently participate in supervision according to program policies and procedures and regulatory criteria.

• Complete progress notes and encounter forms within 24 hours.

• Follow the rules of the school or environment in which the service is being provided.

• Sign in at the school when present in a school building.

• Assist the youth in maintaining appropriate behavior.

• Reinforce the youth's use of adaptive, pro-social behavior by providing frequent social and nonsocial rewards.

• Supervise and monitor the youth's participation in activities, providing support as needed.

• Provide skill teaching as outlined in the youth's Individual Treatment Plan (ITP).

• Conduct crisis intervention sessions with the youth as needed.

• Use the least restrictive, least intrusive interventions to address the youth's problematic behaviors.

• Participate in the development of the youth's ITP.

• Maintain regular contact with other members of the treatment team to provide and receive feedback on the youth's performance.

SUPERVISION AND OBSERVATION:

• BHTs participate in 2-4 hours of supervision per month. Frequency depends on regulatory requirements.

• Supervision will include discussion of interventions being implemented, progress towards the goals and adjustments needed to the ITP, and the BHT's skills in implementing the interventions of the ITP.

• If the individual has no previous experience providing BHT services, they must participate in 6 hours of onsite supervision during the provision of services to a child/youth or young adult prior to providing services independently.

• One hour of direct observation of individual services to a child/youth or young adult is required during the implementation of the ITP every 2-4 months. Frequency depends on regulatory requirements.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• All new hires are required to attend mandated orientation and complete required trainings.

• If an individual has no previous experience providing BHT services, they will complete trainings covering the following topics:

• CPSL and mandated reporting requirements

• Child and adolescent development

• Psychotropic medications, including side effects

• Externalizing and Disruptive Behaviors in Children and Adolescence

• Professional ethics, conduct, and cultural issues in treatment for professionals

• Strategies and interventions to engage children/youth in families in services through principles and clinical practice

• The role of the BHT worker in the home, school, and community, including the use of community resources to support the child/adolescent and collaboration with the family

• Crisis intervention, behavior management, de-escalation techniques, and safety

• Overview of serious emotional disturbance and other behavioral needs in children and adolescents (with emphasis on the specific diagnoses of the children/adolescents with whom the BHT staff may be working)

• Guidelines for documentation

• Communication and Conflict Management

• If an individual has previous experience providing BHT services, they will complete at least 20 hours of annual training that is related to the individual's specific job functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PRIMARY WORK LOCATIONS:

• Family homes, schools, and community settings

• Montgomery County and/or Delaware County

• Some travel required between work sites

PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

• Able to handle multiple assignments

• Manages work-related stress

• Demonstrates good judgment

• Relates well to people

• Possesses strong organizational and communication skills

• Able to walk up and down stairs, and lift 20 pounds

EOE