Behavior Specialist - Community

Behavior Specialist

Job Description

Classification:
 Exempt 

Reports
Administrator, Behavioral Health

Location
 Community-Based

Summary/Objective:
The Behavior Specialist will provide support to individuals and their caregivers by coordinating and providing services in Applied Behavior Analysis, function analyses and assessment, behavior acquisition and reduction procedures, and adaptive life skills. The Behavior Specialist will also oversee programming of and provide ongoing support and supervision to Behavior Technician (BTs), and parents as it relates to the implementation and documentation associated with Skill Acquisition and Behavior Support Plans. 

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Function in a clinical supervisory capacity and provide oversight to all areas of programming including the training of behavior technicians, direct support professionals, school personnel, and all related providers 
• Develop and facilitate initial and follow-up training in Applied Behavior Analysis, using both discrete trial training and natural environment training models of teaching. 

• Provide parent training and education on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to be utilized with their child(ren)

• Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments 
• Develop Behavior Support Plans for all individuals focusing on teaching functional replacement behaviors and other antecedent strategies for reducing problematic behavior(s). 
• Create an ongoing data collection system to establish a baseline for all individuals and analyze data on a frequent and ongoing basis to guide programming. 
• Conduct skill assessments, develop skill acquisition plans, and monitor individual’s progress toward plans 
• Meet as needed with supervised staff and caregivers to discuss ongoing consumer issues and provide support when necessary. 
• Graph data in a standardized format. 
• Complete monthly, quarterly, and annual paperwork at scheduled times.
• Ensure that all criteria meet contracts, private insurance company, Medicaid, and local behavior committee requirements. 
• Work collaboratively with varying professionals, including doctors, psychiatrists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists, to develop and implement individualized goals
• Review and sign off on behavior plan/treatment plan training for all ABA field staff and provide ABA field supervision when necessary
• Provide consultation services and maintain ongoing communication with all constituents (other supports, parents, community, and community agencies). 
• Keep current with the literature, new research findings, and resources. 
• Maintain all data, paperwork, and communication between personal care staff and families and provide ongoing feedback to government-related agencies that contract with such families. 
• Complete daily records of service into the agency's electronic health records system within 48 hours of the completed service. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Behavioral Health Assessment and Intervention. 
• Personnel Management. 
• Focus on Needs of Individuals Served. 
• Ethical Conduct.  
• Flexibility.  
• Personal Effectiveness/Credibility.  
• Composure.  
• Teamwork Orientation. 
• Detail Oriented. 

Supervisory Responsibility: 

This position will supervise the Behavior Technicians. 

Work Environment: 

This position will support the Behavioral Health Afterschool Program, Day Program, and MSY home in Youngstown. 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. 

• Ability to perform emergency medical procedures when necessary.
• Requirement to lift/bend/push/pull/stoop/kneel/crouch/crawl regularly when implementing crisis interventions.
• Ability to hear and speak spoken language in communication with individuals served, other staff, family members of individuals, and members of the general public.
• Ability to accept and implement feedback and constructive criticism in teaching, overall job operations.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:  

This is a full-time position, working at least 40-45 hours per week. This position operates Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel
No travel required 

Required Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Social work, Education, or related field required or actively enrolled in a program.

• BCBA certification or expected to have BCBA certification within agreed upon time frame

• 3-5 years’ experience implementing/supervising ABA-based educational and behavioral programming and curriculum development.
• Exemplary data collection.
• Proven training abilities (one-on-one overlap, team teaching, or in a group).
• Demonstrated clinical knowledge of many children with autism in different areas of the ASD spectrum.

Required Licensure/Certifications:

• BCBA certification or expected to have BCBA certification within agreed upon time frame

• Ability to obtain and maintain First Aid, CPR - adult, child, and infant. (Training will be provided, if not already certified). 

Preferred Qualifications

• Valid Ohio Driver’s License with Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles - No more than 5 points on driving record.
• Valid car insurance.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to accurately document required therapy data.
• Operate and conduct self in a professional manner at all times.
• Behavioral Health Assessment and Intervention. 

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  

Signature:

Employee signature below constitutes employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position. 

Employee Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ____________