Behavior Support Specialist

Responsibilities

• Study guest behavior and apply ABA principles.
• Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and Director of Recuperative Care to create a robust behavior support plan when needed.
• Respond appropriately to different situations common among guests experiencing homelessness and others with behavioral and developmental challenges.
• Utilize key communication skills to provide effective feedback to recuperative care guests.
• Effectively communicate positive feedback to recuperative care guests.
• Review and document guest progress through staff communication, charting, and completing required reporting.
• Collaborate with guests’ medical provider team to incorporate behavior treatment plan into the recuperative care guest lives.
• Communicate with family, GSAs, nursing, social services, and other team members and partners to ensure they are aware of how to assist guests when needed.
• Train both staff and guest in implementing behavior treatment plan during the recuperative care guest stay and post-transition.
• Be able to recognize and respond to critical improvements in guest behaviors as well as crisis intervention.
• Become familiar with and use behavioral redirection techniques.
• Know how to respond to negative behaviors appropriately and professionally.
• Provide written documentation on each recuperative care guest involved in an incident.
• Participate, advocate, and support guests and staff during VCBH meetings and appointments, as needed.
• Consult with external psychiatrist, medical team, and guests to assist with psychological medication regimen for maintenance and stability.
• On call availability to attend and address crisis onsite.
• Complete additional duties and assignments as required to meet the needs of the facility, notwithstanding primary roles.
• Provide support, staff training, learning sessions, and debriefing on how to handle difficult guests, de-escalation, and grief management.

Requirements

• Proven and relevant experience working with older adults or those with diverse abilities and maladaptive behaviors required.
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience working with individuals; may include internships, volunteer work, or employment in related fields.
• PREFERRED: Bachelor’s degree in advanced behavioral analysis (ABA) or related field.
• High School Diploma or GED (minimum).
• PREFERRED: Registered Behavior Technician certificate from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
• Strong communication skills required.
• Ability to work under high stress situations.
• Exhibits significant reliable habits, including timeliness and organizational skills.
• Clinical expertise in crisis intervention, skill in working with the mental health and mentally ill population, and with individuals undergoing acute episodes of psychiatric distress; skill in diagnosis and assessment.
• Ability to work as part of a comprehensive community mental health team and to represent the organization in the community.
• Familiarity with community support systems, health care and human service resources, court, and police activities, etc.
• Good organizational skills and administrative abilities.
• Flexibility in days and hours available for scheduled work including weekends.
• Knowledge of and the ability to adhere to a professional code of ethics.
• Knowledge of and the ability to comply with the state’s mental health code.