Behavioral Specialist

Title: Behavioral Support Specialist (BSS)

Shift: This is a part time position, working 20 hours per week. (schedule to be determined)

Reports Directly to: Residential Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Summary:

The Behavioral Support Specialist will complete assessments, develop and update Behavioral Support Plans (BSPs) and Crisis Intervention Plans (CIPs) and train agency staff on such. The BSS ensures behavioral support provided to the participant including positive practices and least restrictive interventions. This does not include chemical or mechanical restraints and physical restraints are used only in emergencies and not as planned support strategies. Behavioral Support Specialists must also meet the professional education or licensure criteria required.

Purpose:

• Provide oversight to the care, supervision, support and guidance of all assigned individuals to ensure a safe, healthy, secure and pleasant environment which promotes and reinforces individual growth and development.
• Takes the lead in the planning, development, and implementation of the BSPs and to document individual progress.
• Provides leadership, guidance, management, and assistance where needed, to the Direct Support Professionals.

Essential Responsibilities

Initial Behavioral Support:

• Develops initial BSP including conducting a comprehensive assessment of behavior and its causes. BSS develops an analysis of findings of the behavior(s) to be targeted so that an appropriate behavioral support plan may be designed.
• Collaborates with the participant, his or her family, and his or her service plan team for the purpose of developing a BSP that must include positive practices and least restrictive interventions.
• Develops an individualized, comprehensive BSP consistent with the outcomes identified in the participants service plan, within sixty days of the authorization start date of the Behavioral Support service in the service plan.
• Develop a CIP that will identify how crisis interventions support will be available to the participant, how the Supports Coordinator and other waiver service providers will be kept informed for the precursors of the participants challenging behavior, and the procedures/interventions that are most effective to deescalate the challenging behaviors.
• Upon completion of initial plan development, the BSS will meet with the participant, the Supports Coordinator, and others as appropriate. This includes family members, providers and employers. The purpose of this is to explain the BSP and the CIP to ensure all parties understand the plans.

Ongoing Behavioral Support:

Ongoing support can occur both before and after the completion of the BSP. Upon completion of the initial Behavioral Support Plan, the BSS provides direct and consultative supports. Ongoing Behavioral Support includes:

• Collection and evaluation of data.
• Conducting comprehensive functional assessments of presenting issues (i.e. aggression, self-injurious behavior, law offending behavior (sexual or otherwise).
• Updating the maintenance of BSPs which utilize positive strategies to support the participant, based on functional behavioral assessments.
• Development of a fading plan for restrictive interventions.
• Conducting training and support related to the implementation of BSPs for the participant, family members, staff, and caregivers.
• Implementation of activities and strategies identified in the participants BSP, which may include providing direct behavioral support, educating the participant and supporters regarding the underlying causes/functions of behavior and modeling and/or coaching of supporters to carry out interventions.
• Monitoring implementation of the BSP and revising, as needed.
• Completion of required paperwork related to data collection, progress reporting, and development of annual planning material.

Qualifications:

• 1. Masters Degree or higher in Psychology, Special Education, Counseling, Social Work, Education, Applied Behavior Analysis or Gerontology.
• 2. A Pennsylvania Behavior Specialist License AND
• 1. Completed training in conducting and using a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA).
• 2. Complete training in positive behavioral support.
• Demonstrated ability to interact in respectful, dignified manner with individuals.
• Ability to follow verbal and written directions of supervisors, program plans, behavior plans, medical/medication instructions, etc.
• Ability to complete and maintain all training required by licensing or the agency.
• Demonstrated ability/understanding of basic life safety topics relevant to individuals well-being (CPR/First Aid, fire safety, etc).
• Current valid Pennsylvania Drivers License with acceptable driving record.
• Maintenance of current employee physical examination on approved form acceptable to licensing.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.