Crisis Support Specialist

Position Summary

The Crisis Support Specialist plays a critical role in providing specialized behavioral support services to individuals across various settings. This position involves developing and implementing individualized crisis plans and providing training and support to Care Team Staff. The Crisis Support Specialist collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to ensure effective and consistent application of crisis intervention strategies.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conducts face-to-face assessments to determine support needs.
• Develops and implements Crisis Plans.
• Makes regular reviews and revisions to the Crisis Plan and related support guidelines with input from key persons.
• Trains staff directly working with the consumer to implement the Crisis Plan; may model how to work with the consumer and directly intervene when challenging behavior occurs.
• Participates in interdisciplinary meetings as needed.
• Develops and implements multi-site crisis management support services including on-site staff support, and hands-on crisis management assistance if required.
• Provides support and debriefing to staff and individuals supported following incidents, including conducting post-crisis management services reviews and consultations.
• Compiles internal and external reports as required; analyzes data and makes recommendations.
• Maintains comprehensive notes and tracking records as required.
• Attends team and agency staff meetings and required in-service training sessions.
• Regularly communicates and meets with Supervisor.
• Ensures program records are properly maintained, and reports are prepared and submitted on time, including but not limited to, time and attendance and electronic case records.
• Enters data into an electronic consumer database each day of work.
• Assists in communicating with family members and friends of the individuals supported as appropriate.
• Assists with resident abuse and neglect assessment issues and communicates findings with home manager, compliance, clinical and operations’ leadership.
• Cooperates regarding investigations and inspections.
• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.
• Adheres to BSLS Core Values, Mission Statement, and Corporate Philosophies.
• Performs On-Call as defined by the market which could include unexpected schedule or shift changes.

Team Member Expectations

• Compliant with company and regulatory policies and procedures.
• Preserve and protect the privacy, confidentiality and security of all medical records, proprietary and other confidential information relating to Beacon Specialized Living Services, Inc., its individuals, Team Members, activities and affiliates, in accordance with all applicable laws (especially HIPAA) and contract terms.
• Promote Beacon in a positive manner and lead by example, modeling our core values in everyday behavior.
• Understand how to approach and communicate with all individuals including those who are cognitively impaired.
• Treat Individuals, family members and other team members with dignity and respect while responding to their needs.
• Promote trauma informed care at all levels of the organization and help create a culture that is sensitive and responsive to the feelings of our individuals to help our staff overcome and avoid responding negatively to stigmas they will never truly understand.
• Maintain and sustain a safe community environment and workplace.
• Follow Beacon's policies, procedures, and manuals.
• Accept other duties as assigned.

Professional Conduct and Management Effectiveness

• Job Knowledge: Depth and breadth of knowledge supporting our organization goals.
• Quality of Work: Freedom from errors and mistakes, timeliness. Accuracy, quality of work in general.
• Quantity of Work: Work output of the employee.
• Reliability: The extent to which the employee can be depended upon to be available for work, do it properly, and complete it on time.
• Initiative and Creativity: The ability to plan work and to go ahead with a task without being told every detail and the ability to make constructive suggestions.
• Judgment: The extent to which the employee makes decisions which are sound. Ability to base decisions on facts rather than emotions.
• Cooperation: Willingness to work harmoniously with others in getting a job done.

Education and Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field required, Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 1-2 years’ experience working with both mentally ill and intellectually disabled adult populations is preferred.
• Experience with behavioral assessments and interventions with complex, high-intensity/high-frequency behaviors is required.
• Approved by the state, federal, and local governmental entities to work within BSLS programs.
• Maintains own mandatory training and certification requirements.
• Required experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License.
• Must pass a criminal background check.
• Proficient in speaking, reading and writing the English language required.

Skills and Abilities

• Able to communicate and function in an interdisciplinary team.
• Skilled in teaching and coaching staff to implement Behavior Support Plans (BSP).
• Strong computer skills utilizing various software programs and applications.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Able to create professional employee communication materials.
• Works well independently.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to multitask and meet project deadlines.
• Capable of working well with all levels of the organization.
• A professional demeanor.
• Able to work with little daily supervision.