What are the responsibilities and job description for the Behavioral Intervention Specialist position at Garden of Prayer Youth Center?
Description
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
A Behavioral Interventions Specialist is a professional who specializes in designing and implementing interventions to address behavioral issues and promote positive changes in individuals or groups. He/She will serve as the primary professional to engage escalating clients and apply CPI/TCI/De-escalation techniques.
ORGANIZING AND COORDINATING:
Screening/Intake
1. Assist in assessing behavior patterns, developing intervention plans, and implementing strategies to modify behavior.
2. Under the supervision of licensed clinician, conduct assessments and evaluations to identify behavioral issues and determine appropriate interventions.
3. Collaborate with clients, families, and other professionals to develop individualized intervention plans.
4. Implement evidence-based strategies and techniques to address challenging behaviors.
5. Monitor progress and making adjustments to intervention plans as needed.
6. Provide training and support to clients, families, and caregivers on implementing behavioral interventions.
7. Document and maintaining records of interventions, progress, and outcomes. In this role
8. Possess strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as Behavioral Interventions Specialists often work closely with clients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
9. Possess a solid understanding of behavioral theories and interventions, and be able to apply them in real-world settings.
Interfacing - Communication
1. Maintain proactive, effective communication with participants, direct care staff, therapist, and Program Coordinator regarding all participant issues and concerns.
2. Maintain proactive, effective communication with participants, participant family, DCFS workers, DCFS Monitor, DCFS Licensing Monitor, Program Coordinator, GAL, and all other stakeholders involved with the participant’s case.
3. Ability to observe participant behavior and participation, assess appropriateness of such, and prepare reports and other correspondence in order to advocate and communicate all pertinent information regarding participants.
4. Build positive rapport with participants, colleagues, all DCFS personnel, and all other stakeholders involved with participant’s case.
5. Set a good example for participants including cleanliness, punctuality, sportsmanship etc.
6. Maintain positive public relations with participant’s families.
7. Facilitate interaction between participant, and participant as well as participant, and staff.
8. Participate in department and company employee meetings.
9. Provide frequent feedback and positive reinforcement to participants.
10. Interact and effectively communicate with colleagues in a professional fashion.
11. Communicate all necessary information to Lead Staff and Program Director.
12. Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be asked of you as required.
Linkage
1. Serve as a participant advocate to court systems, school systems, etc. when needed
2. Assist with referring clients in need of additional mental health or psychiatric supports
3. Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be asked of you as required.
Monitoring
1. Provide added supervision of participants in the facility.
2. Monitor clients adherence to behavioral treatment and intervention plans
3. Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be asked of you as required.
Direct Service
1. Complete and/or make sure that SER’s are written, distributed and maintained
2. Assure that the client has access to and meets with GAL and all legal representation
3. Unusual Incident Reporting
4. All other duties as assigned according to DCFS policy
5. Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be asked of you as required.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
Documentation/Record Keeping
1. Prepare and submit all documentation and reports accurately in a grammatically correct fashion.
2. Documentation of Significant Event Reports.
3. Document and Maintain Behavioral Treatment and Intervention Plans
4. Submit all necessary documentation to CCI Administrator and Direct Staff Supervisor, HR Dept., DCFS personnel and Executive Director as required
5. Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be asked of you as required.
Agency Activities/Trainings/Other
1. Attend and participate in all initial and on going training
2. Actively participate in orientation and staff training, assigned staff meetings
3. Attend “All Staff” meetings
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Most positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as psychology, counseling, or behavior analysis preferred or 60 college credit hours with a majority in related fields
Experience Experience: Relevant experience in behavior analysis, counseling, or a related field is often preferred. 5 or more years’ experience, Mental Health Professional required.
Credential: CPI/TCI Certification, Candidates must have a valid Illinois driver’s license, good driving record, and a clear background.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. Ability to communicate and work with children with varying ages and skills; and provide necessary guidance, support, and supervision to participants at all times.
2. Mathematics and language arts proficiency
3. First aid and CPR certified
4. Passion to make a positive impact on the lives of youth in the community and to educate them to proficiency
5. Ability to observe participant behavior and participation, assess appropriateness of such, and enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures.
6. Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other risks related to an activity.
7. Physical endurance to engage children and adolescents when de-escalating youth
8. Physical strength and ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring medical intervention, and de-escalation.
9. Cognitive ability to provide leadership to achieve participant goals and objectives.
10. Excellent communication and organizational skills
11. Able to work collaboratively with teams
12. Demonstrated reliability regarding attendance and work performance
13. Ability to be creative, flexible and adaptive in ALL situations, activities and responsibilities
14. Must be a team player
15. Must want to help address the needs of the community
