Behavior Consultant

Vista Autism Services; Carlisle (Cumberland County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Vista Autism Services in Carlisle, PA is seeking a Behavior Consultant. The consultant leads behavioral strategies for clients with autism in various environments, including home and community settings. This full-time role requires design and implementation of behavior support plans and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.

Qualified candidates must have experience in ABA, strong communication skills, and the ability to mentor staff. A BCBA certification or equivalent education is preferred. Some evening hours may be required to support client needs.

Qualifications

• Experience working with clients with autism spectrum disorder.
• Proficient in crisis prevention techniques.
• Excellent communication and flexible in task management.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct behavior assessments.
• Implement client behavior support plans.
• Train behavior consultant assistants on protocols.

Skills

Experience with autism spectrum disorder

Crisis prevention and intervention techniques

Communication skills

Flexibility and prioritization

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

BCBA certification or equivalent education

Master’s degree in ABA

Job description

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt ASSIGNMENT: Adult Services Calendar

REPORTS TO: Supervisor of Adult Behavior Support Services COMPANY: Vista Adult Services

SUMMARY

The Behavior Consultant (BC) is the behavioral lead for assigned clients and addresses goals and areas of client need across home, day services, employment, and community environments. The BC follows the case conceptualization model to assess client needs, develop and monitor behavior programs, train team members, and teach and mentor Behavior Consultant Assistants (BCAs) on shared cases. The BC adheres to the principles and practices of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and the Behavior Analysis Certification Board’s (BACB) Code of Ethics in all aspects of service delivery.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Behavioral Treatment Development and Implementation

• Designs and conducts comprehensive functional behavior and skills assessments to inform individualized behavior support programs.
• Designs, implements, monitors, and refines person-centered behavior support plans (PCBSPs) related to Individual Support Plan (ISP) outcomes.
• Designs crisis plans as needed, ensuring the plan addresses the function of the behavior and includes least restrictive de-escalation techniques and emergency safety procedures.
• Measures PCBSP and ISP goals and objectives and analyzes results to ensure progress is made.
• Leads the development of restrictive procedures and fade plans when less restrictive interventions are exhausted, gains approval through the Human Rights Team (HRT), and tracks HRT review schedule.

Clinical Leadership and Collaboration

• Conducts interactions with clients and team members positively and professionally.
• Manages continuous communication and collaboration with stakeholders, including but not limited to clients, families, direct support professionals (DSPs), service providers, Supports Coordination Organizations, and psychiatric clinicians (when applicable).
• Schedules and leads clinical meetings to report progress toward behavioral goals.
• Maintains up-to-date list of clinical needs and action items for each client; schedules self and assigns direct and indirect work to BCAs in alignment with those needs.
• Ensures all behavioral documentation is shared with stakeholders in a timely manner.

Training and Coaching

• Trains, coaches, and mentors behavior consultant assistants (BCAs) in PCBSPs and the ALIFE COACH model of person-centered active support (PCAS).
• Identifies training needs, arranges and provides training to BCAs and DSPs.
• Transfers clinical and case leadership skills to BCAs for program growth and succession planning.
• Trains and transfers clinical skills to Vista Adult Services DSPs on ISP outcomes, PCBSPs, restrictive procedures, and prescribed programming.
• Communicates with staff to discuss programming, treatment fidelity, and training needs.
• Provides and receives coaching to improve team performance.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

• Develops and provides training on ABA principles and autism spectrum disorder.
• Supports RBT staff development, including coursework coaching, competency assessments, and clinical supervision (BCBA required).

Documentation and Billing

• Assigns clinical documentation to BCAs, ensures all clinical assignments are within the BCAs’ scope of competence, broadens BCAs’ scope of competence when needed, reviews completed documentation, delivers feedback and reinforcement aligned with the principles of behavioral science and the compassionate care model to develop BCAs’ clinical skills.
• Maintains and submits timely documentation, including service logs and billing.
• Meets weekly billable hours target.

Professional Development

• Engages in professional development to maintain certifications and expertise.
• Contributes to the growth of other Vista staff.

Other Responsibilities

• Completes other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described are representative of those required for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The following positions or frequent movements are typical of the job: sitting, walking, standing, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, stooping, kneeling, and crawling, often for extended periods of the workday. Assignment may require the ability to perform crisis management techniques to maintain a safe support environment.

The position requires that an individual be able to learn new tasks quickly and effectively. Job requirements may change frequently. The ability to understand and carry out detailed, multi-step instructions is mandatory. The incumbent must be able to travel to multiple locations as needed, when needed to conduct organizational business. Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, depending on activity.

EXPECTED SCHEDULE

This is a minimum full time 40 hour per week position. Days and hours of the workweek are agreed upon by management, the client’s schedule, and the Adult Services calendar. The Behavior Consultant provides services across home, facility, employment, and community settings. Some evening hours may be required to meet the needs of the client.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required

• Previous experience working with people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
• Ability to implement, train, and coach other staff on the implementation of services and proper crisis prevention and intervention techniques
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to be flexible and prioritize expected and unexpected tasks
• Successful completion of Vista’s crisis intervention training
• High proficiency of Microsoft Office products and internet applications
• Successful completion of CPR and First Aid training
• Clean driving record, valid PA driver’s license, current vehicle inspection, up-to-date vehicle registration, and proof of adequate insurance coverage
• Required passing of all pre-employment regulatory and safety-sensitive employee requirements including, but not limited to, PPD testing, physical exam, and drug tests

Preferred

• BCBA (Includes bachelor’s, master’s, supervised fieldwork, and passed BCBA exam)

OR

• Bachelor’s degree AND Master’s degree in ABA or post-graduate ABA certificate on track to be completed within 4 months of hire AND approximately 50% of supervised fieldwork completed
• Bachelor’s degree AND Master’s degree in ABA completed, or post-graduate ABA certificate completed AND Supervised fieldwork to begin within 4 months of hire AND 2+ years of experience providing ABA in adult services
• 8-hour supervision training completed (Behavior Analyst Certification Board)
• Demonstrated effective team leadership experience
• Conflict resolution skills and ability to hold crucial conversations
• Ability to independently solve problems and make quick decisions

Highly Desired

• Behavior specialist license (BSL)

Note: This description does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time. The above description and essential functions are subject to change.