BSS Group 5 - Cost Pool

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Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to support people of all abilities reach their full potential and thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy.

Position: Behavior Support Specialist
Reports To: Assistant Director of Behavior Support

This position is non-exempt and is eligible for overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40
during a single calendar week (Monday - Sunday).
Summary/Objective
Under the supervision of the Assistant Director(s) of Behavior Support, the Behavior Support
Specialist (BSS) is responsible for the implementation and evaluation of all behavior support
services for the people he/she is supporting. This includes, but is not limited to: data collection,
employee training, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, case reviews and other
interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, training and consultation with other team members.
The BSS will work in collaboration with the Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) in
conjunction with the person and their circle of support to ensure the highest quality of clinical
services in a manner that is consistent and aligned with the Agency mission and vision, and the
philosophy of the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL).
Essential Job Functions

• Provide assistance with the review and evaluation of behavioral data for target

maladaptive behavior for the purposes of assisting the BIS with the development and
implementation of a formal Behavior Modification Program.

• Assist with analyzing potential existing functions of maladaptive behavior (including any

current, unplanned and planned contingencies) utilizing baseline procedures

• Conduct direct observations of behavior, review of records/behavioral data, and

verbal/written input from team members, including direct support employees when
necessary

• Assist with the implementation of behavioral planning by providing training of

employees, on all formal Behavior Modification Programs (e.g. Behavior Support Plan,
Behavior Support Staff Action, Behavior Support Symptom Management Plan, Behavior
Support Desensitization Plan, etc.)

• Observe and assist with monitoring individuals’ progress on, and team members’

implementation of Behavior Support Plans; communicate all relevant information to the
applicable Behavior Intervention Specialist to ensure timely revisions of plans as indicated
to ensure that the individuals are progressing

• Assist in the completion of staff observations and provide feedback to program staff on

implementation of Behavior Support Plans

• Instruct staff in specific, proactive, active, reactive, and data collection procedures that

emphasize proactive interventions to encourage the development of adaptive skills that
will serve the same function as the target maladaptive behavior

• Provide as needed consultation regarding issues such as crisis intervention, behavior

modification programs, diagnostics, and teaching/training programs for the individuals

• Assist with the preparation of required paperwork necessary for Human Rights

Committee meetings and with obtaining informed consent for behaviorally indicated
restrictions

• Assist with providing written and verbal reports to individuals’ psychiatrists and other

consultant clinicians to assist in accurate diagnosis and treatment if requested

• Provide crisis support, as indicated, to assist individuals in coping with various

psychological stressors
Duties and Responsibilities

• Obtain/maintain required training certifications including but not limited to CPR, First

Aid, SCIP-R, as needed per Agency policy

• Attend Interdisciplinary Treatment Team meetings, Clinical Supervision meetings,

Behavior Support Department meetings and other Clinical Services meetings if requested
by their direct supervisor

• Attend in-service training programs, clinical and academic conferences and workshops

and other educational presentations to maintain current knowledge of relevant clinical
issues and techniques as requested or directed by the assigned supervisor

• Address emergency situations as they occur in the program according to established

policies and procedures, and ensure communication of such situations in a timely fashion

• Recommend and facilitate referrals for individuals to clinics and private psychologists for

individual, conjoint, family, and/or group therapy, when indicated

• Complete and submit all requested paper work both paper and/or electronic accurately,

completely, and on-time, as required by policy, regulations and individuals’ needs and/or
requested by your supervisor

• Provide accurate, complete, and concise information regarding individuals’ cognitive and

adaptive functioning and needs, including evaluation results and progress on behavior
support plans, to team members and collateral providers when applicable

• Attend and participate in meetings as requested by your supervisor
• Perform additional responsibilities as requested and/or necessary, including supporting

alternate locations when assigned
Education, Work Experience, and Competencies
To meet the criteria to function as a Behavior Support Specialist, the employee must meet

the qualifications as follows:

• The qualified candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology or

related field.

• Prior experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities is

strongly preferred.

FREE is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected characteristic. In addition to federal law requirements, FREE complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in all of its locations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises’ affirmative action efforts related to protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are set out and described in our affirmative action plan for protected veterans and individuals with a disability. If you have any questions or would like to view the affirmative action plan, please visit our website www.familyres.org