Applied Behavior Specialist

Elwyn; West Chester (Chester County); On-site; USD 27,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Medical/Dental/Vision

Earned Wage Access

On-the-Job Training

Tuition Reimbursement

Career Advancement Opportunities

Flexible Schedules

Retirement Savings Plan

Job summary

Elwyn seeks an Applied Behavior Specialist (ABS) to provide intensive behavioral assessment and BSP implementation for individuals with PWS or related conditions in a Community Residential Services setting. The ABS collaborates with the clinical team to reduce problem behaviors and increase adaptive responses.

Responsibilities include supervising residents, implementing ABA-derived strategies, and maintaining thorough documentation while participating in ongoing trainings and safety procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology or closely related field is required or equivalent.
• Associates degree with three years relevant experience also acceptable.
• Experience implementing ABA strategies is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide ABA-based behavioural assessment and BSP implementation for residents.
• Supervise and support residents per individual plans and program.
• Attend trainings and keep documentation up to date.
• Coordinate transportation and community activities as needed.
• Maintain clinical charts and ensure data collection on outcomes.

Skills

Excellent communication

Team collaboration

Written & verbal

Education

Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field

Associates or 60 college credits + 3 years experience

Tools

MS Office

Outlook

Job description

Overview

Payrate: $19.50-$21.95/HR

Schedule: Full-time and part-time shifts available

Join a Team That Changes Lives

For more than 170 years, Elwyn has been leading the way in supporting children, teens, and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. As a mission-driven nonprofit, we’re here to create real change – helping people lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.

Now, we’re looking for passionate team members to join us. Here, your work will change lives – including your own. You’ll make an impact every day, find purpose in what you do, and grow in a career that truly matters.

At Elwyn, we take care of you while you care for others. We offer:

• Generous Paid Time Off
• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Benefit Packages
• Earned Wage Access/On-Demand Pay
• Paid On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Career Advancement Opportunities and Growth
• Flexible Schedules
• Retirement Savings Plan

Responsibilities

Elwyn seeks an Applied Behavior Specialist (ABS) to provide intensive on-going behavioral assessment/behavior support plan implementation to individuals diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) or other genetic/behaviorally complicated disorders who live in a Community Residential Services (CRS). Individuals admitted to CRS’ specialized behavioral programs for placement will receive supports within a highly structured setting, including behavioural interventions. The ABS will be responsible for participating in the continued behavioural assessment across settings, as well as the application of strategies derived from an applied behaviour analysis (ABA) model. The ABS will work closely with the clinical team to implement individually designed behaviour plans to decrease problem behaviour while increasing adaptive more appropriate responses.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides required levels of supervision for assigned persons served at CRS’ specialized behavioural program site as determined by program management in accordance with needs of individual’s support plan
• Provides behavioural assessment and behaviour support plan (BSP) implementation services to residents
• Applies treatment strategies, therapeutic interventions and protocols derived from an applied behaviour analysis (ABA) model developed by the clinical team
• Attends ongoing trainings and keeps all trainings up to date
• Collects data on the behaviour support plans and outcomes
• Works with individuals on daily living skills in a structured environment to obtain consistent routine and skills through teachable moments
• In conjunction with the program management team, develops and implements appropriate recreational activities
• Files documentation in clinical charts and purges in accordance with the purge schedule as needed
• Prepares meals according to menu and program schedule
• Implements outcomes and maintains residents’ progress consistent with behaviour and therapeutic goals
• Supervises, instructs, supports and provides guidance to assigned persons served in accordance with the individual’s Behaviour Support Plan within the structured specialised behavioural program as well as the team-driven general support plan, and works daily toward the designated outcomes, including but not limited to:
  • ensuring food security by implementing the programme structure and schedule at all times in the PWS home and/or implementing any other needed structures in the specialised behavioural program
  • ensuring heightened supervision in the community to best ensure food security as needed and general safety of the individuals
  • healthcare
  • religious preferences
  • sexual preferences
  • ethnic and cultural support
  • recreational/socialisation/vocational activities
  • physical fitness
  • healthy living
  • family visits and involvement, and family disagreements and grievances
  • independence
  • purchase and inventory of food and personal supplies
  • cooking
  • housekeeping
  • money management
  • social awareness
  • interpersonal relationships
  • personal hygiene
• Follows medical guidelines to administer medication as scheduled or as needed to persons served in strict accordance with each support plan and per medication administration protocols
• Strictly follows medical protocols including but not limited to following physicians’ orders for continued care, updates necessary medical records, and conforms to protocols concerning medical appointments
• Coordinates and provides for transportation needs, as applicable, of assigned persons served in accordance with support plan and dependent upon specific site needs
• Prepares for, and promptly responds to, emergency situations to ensure the safety and security of the programme site and persons served at all times; e.g., provide CPR, first aid and crisis intervention as needed in accordance with agency trained protocols, conducts fire drills, emergency evacuations, etc., and notifies proper authority in the event of an emergency
• Completes paperwork and maintains all documentation as required and as determined by program management for the programme site; e.g., shift progress notes, daily logs, monthly progress reports, daily goal reports, assessments, daily financial transactions, Medical Administration Records, behavioural data sheets, Incident Reports, Parent/Guardian/Other contact form, etc.
• During assigned shifts, ensures programme site operates in accordance with the organisation’s quality standards for safety, cleanliness, and comfort and state licensing and accreditation standards and ensures the routine maintenance and cleanliness of Elwyn vehicles used
• Aids in the resolution of problematic situations that may occur for persons served within a specific programme site; notifies programme management of any unusual situations
• Reviews and maintains adequate medications inventory levels on a weekly basis to ensure immediate availability of medications
• Participates in the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) process in support of the support plan; reports issues in the event plan is problematic
• Reviews daily log for completion of required activities and reports results to programme management
• Records daily census accurately and timely when working second shift
• Reports all incidents as required by regulation of Mandated reporters
• Promptly reports any infraction of Elwyn policies to programme management
• Performs other duties as assigned

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology or a closely related field or, Associates or 60 college credits plus three (3) years of work experience in programmes supporting people with acute behavioural needs
• Experience working with individuals with challenging behaviours desired
• Experience implementing ABA strategies desired
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Must possess excellent customer interaction, collaboration, and written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated basic experience with Microsoft Office applications, specifically Outlook;
• Maintain current certification/recertification of CPR, First Aid, Medication Administration and crisis intervention, in accordance with agency trained protocols
• Must possess a current, valid driver’s license in state of residence, have a minimum of two (2) years of driving experience within the United States, and have an acceptable driving record

2026-4850

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Equal Opportunity Employer

Elwyn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Elwyn does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, creed, ancestry, pregnancy status, medical condition, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation or identity, age, national origin, citizenship, handicap status, marital or family status, mental or physical disability, perceived disability, military or veteran status, political activities or affiliations, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

2026-4850

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