Behavioral Specialist
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Position Summary
Mainstay Life Services, a $28M nonprofit organization providing life-long, high-quality support services ensuring that people with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) lead fulfilling lives, is recruiting for an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Behavior Specialist.
The Behavioral Specialist will assist in the behavioral supports provided to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our existing programs. The Behavioral Specialist will effectively identify behavioral goals and intervention techniques using functional behavior assessment tools and recommend behavioral change methods. Experience designing individualized support plans and behavior interventions is required. Direct experience writing individual support plans to address medical, health, safety, psychiatric, behavioral, social and vocational outcomes strongly preferred. The Behavioral Specialist must have a positive and person-centered approach and embrace individualized care.
- Develops behavior support plans that are individualized; conducts a Functional Behavior Assessment and designs a Positive Behavior Support Plan based upon the assessment, in collaboration with the program staff.
- Carries out all planning, development, prevention and intervention strategies using a positive approach methodology.
- Communicates, as needed, with all team members (person served, community living specialists, program managers, quality administrators, family members, advocates, support coordinators, therapists, etc.) to ensure quality services and collaboration.
- Documents individual’s progress and assesses interventions and collaborative services.
- Observes individual’s response to behavioral support plans and makes any necessary changes.
- Conducts behavioral assessments upon request of staff or another appropriate referral source.
- Actively participates in treatment team meetings, ensuring a person-centered approach to care.
- Conducts and documents staff training on how to implement the behavioral management plans including techniques, required documentation, behavior guidelines, etc.
- Supports and encourages person served to increase his/her ability to be as independent as possible.
- Provides crisis management services as necessary.
- Develops proficiency in psychopathology, crisis intervention/de-escalation techniques, and behavioral therapy.
- Attends psychiatric/psychological consults as necessary.
- Utilizes positive approaches and acts as a positive role model, demonstrating professionalism, dignity, and respect toward the people served, community living specialists, management, administrators, and other providers.
- Participates in training and other educational opportunities that contribute to professional growth.
- Provides occasional on-call clinical consultation to community living specialists and program management.
- Develops additional resources, plans, and completes assessments to address identified needs of the person supported.
- Compiles information for the timely preparation of reports and distributes to appropriate individuals within established timelines.
- Works cooperatively with administrative and program staff.
- Responsible for the completion of other duties as assigned by Executive program staff.
REQUIREMENTS
- A Master’s degree or above in Social Work, Psychology or Education from an accredited college or university preferred or Bachelor’s degree in similar disciplines.
- Minimum 3 years employment experience working directly with persons with developmental disabilities, and
- Behavior Specialist Licensure and/or Certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, National Certified Counselor, Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner or other similar Behavioral Health license preferred.
- Knowledge of behavior principles, evaluation and assessment process.
- Valid driver’s license & use of a personal vehicle required.
To see the full job description, please click here.
Benefits for the Position
Mainstay Life Services offers a number of very generous benefits to employees including Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, Generous Paid Time Off, 401k Retirement Plan with employer match, Employer paid Life and Long-term Disability Insurance, Employer paid, Credentials and Staff Development, Paid Training, Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program, Loan Forgiveness, Employee Referral Bonus Program and more!
Mainstay Life Services is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants who bring diverse perspectives and represent marginalized communities are especially encouraged to apply.
Mainstay Life Services is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test prior to beginning employment.