Behavior Specialist-Community Residences

Oak Hill (Legal name: CT Institute for the Blind); Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 53,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks a Behavior Specialist for Community Residences in Hartford. This entry-level position involves assessing behavioral needs and designing interventions for participants with disabilities. The role requires a Master's degree and offers a dynamic working environment to improve lives based on Applied Behavior Analysis principles.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required, 2 years experience preferred in similar roles.
• Ability to design Behavioral Support Plans using ABA.
• Strong knowledge of DDS, DCF, DPH regulations.

Responsibilities

• Create and revise Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavioral Support Plans.
• Monitor effectiveness of psychotropic medication in collaboration with psychiatrists.
• Train staff on behavioral intervention techniques.

Skills

Knowledge of behavioral issues

Assessment skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's degree in Psychology, Education, Human Services, or related field

Job description

Behavior Specialist-Community Residences

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Behavior Specialist-Community Residences

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Oak Hill has been enhancing the lives of people with disabilities since 1893! We invite you to join our team of highly committed professionals. Founded in 1893 by trailblazer and visionary, Emily Wells Foster, Oak Hill has over 129 years of experience providing the highest quality services to people with varying disabilities. Oak Hill sets the standard, partnering with people with disabilities, to provide services and solutions promoting independence, education, health, and dignity.

The Behavior Specialist works in Community Programs, assisting the Planning and Support Team (PST) to assess the behavioral needs of and design interventions for program participants with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism, and/or mental health diagnoses as a means of enhancing the lives of program participants in keeping with the Oak Hill mission. The Behavior Specialist is familiar with and utilizes principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Duties And Responsibilities

• Creates and revises Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and Behavioral Support Plans (BSP) for program participants within Oak Hill Programs to address their behavioral challenges/psychiatric needs, reducing maladaptive behaviors, and developing and increasing socially appropriate skills and competencies along with personal growth. The Behavior Specialist will use appropriate tools and assessments to complete FBA and to draw valid conclusions based on principles of Positive Behavior Support(PBS)/Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). When needed, designs and performs a Functional Analysis (FA), done or supervised by a BCBA.
• Creates and revises Behavioral Support Plans and utilizes data analysis to meet Department of Children and Families (DCF), Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDS), Department of Public Health (DPH) and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) regulatory requirements by creating appropriate data collection formats and data analysis review systems.
• Familiarity with and the ability to discuss components of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and DDS Psychiatric Treatment Plan requirements.
• Works in collaboration with the Treating Psychiatrist to guide the Planning and Support Team in monitoring the effectiveness of psychotropic medication to evaluate effectiveness and determine the need for modification in treatment. Collaborates with Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists and other professional to identify and treat
  
  

participants’ behavioral health needs.

• Determines program effectiveness and the need for modification by direct observation of the participant and support staff, monitoring data, reviewing and evaluating quarterly reports, and preparing and presenting annual Behavioral Review with the Planning and Support Team (PST) members.
• Instructs supervisors on how to accurately create Behavioral quarterly reports, calculate and summarize data to present to psychiatrists which analyze all tracked target behaviors and include any other relevant factors that may be impacting the participant. Reviews and signs off on Behavioral Reports to ensure that they are accurate and data analysis and recommendations address trends.
• Prepares data/graphs and analysis for DDS Program/Clinical Review. Attends PRC/Clinical Review and is typically the lead presenter in such forums.
• Facilitates the exchange of information related to program development and implementation by working with Planning and Support Team members, parents and guardians, psychiatrists, therapists, and Direct Support Staff, as indicated for each Program Participant.
• As indicated for each participant, assists staff in acquiring the skills and techniques necessary for implementation of all Behavior Support Plans by conducting in-services focusing on the core components of the plan including the data collection systems and the review process.
• Ensures that staff have the competencies needed to work effectively with program participants and works with the Learning Center to address special needs by conducting in-services related annually, addressing relevant issues upon request. Works with Learning Center to provide additional in-servicing in Positive Behavior Supports, ABA, or other skills when needed,
• Provides on-going support and direction in the reduction of challenging behaviors and increasing appropriate behavior to the Planning and Support Team, including Direct Support staff. Works with the Oak Hill Learning Center in developing person centered Psychological/Physical Management Techniques (PMT) intervention procedures, as indicated in Behavior Support Plans, to ensure that the correct procedures are applied when needed.
• Assists the Planning and Support Team in choosing and identifying program participants who are appropriate for existing vacancies by meeting, observing and reviewing each referral, and their records.
• Attends and participates in job related meetings such as staff meetings, team meetings and PRC. Seeks and attends appropriate seminars, workshops and conferences in order to maintain current professional and technical knowledge and certification/licenses and to further professional development.
• Participates in review of applications and interview process for potential Behavior Specialist candidates. Assists in the orientation and training of new Behavior Specialists as necessary or requested.
• Communicates concerns and issues related to program participants’ well-being to administrators so that these can be addressed in a timely manner.
• Familiarity with Oak Hill, DDS, DCF, DPH, and DMHAS policies, procedures and requirements which relate to the position of Behavior Specialist, to ensure their implementation when appropriate.
  
  

Qualification Requirements

Minimum Requirements: Master’s degree in Psychology, Education, Human Services or related field with 2 years or more experience in a similar job, performing assessments and designing Behavioral Support Plans interventions using Positive Behavior Supports/Applied Behavior Analysis.

Preferred Candidates will have a Master’s or Doctoral degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Psychology, Education, or a related field, be a BCBA, or be licensed in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work, or working toward such qualification.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of behavioral issues which are common among individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism and/or mental health needs.
• Skills and ability to assess needs, and evaluate, plan, and implement ways of addressing these issues.
• Knowledge of behavioral intervention techniques, data collection systems, staff development, and the skills and abilities needed for their implementation.
• The ability to quickly develop a working knowledge of DDS, DCF, DPH, and DMHS regulations and guidelines which apply to behavior intervention issues in the program setting.
• The ability to teach staff behavior intervention techniques.
• Ability to maintain organized and accurate records.
• Good interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with others.
• Ability to understand and express ideas well, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively present information to an individuals and groups.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to be flexible and dependable.
• Ability to carry out responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• The ability to respond appropriately in emergency situations.
  
  

Physical Demands

Persons in this job must possess the physical and emotional health needed for effective

and efficient completion of duties.

Persons in this job may be required to perform lifting and transferring activities and may be required to restrain residents/program participants; may be exposed to risk of injury from abusive/assaultive resident

We support equality for and advancement of all people, based on their qualifications and actions alone, without regard to color, gender, age, religion, national origin or disability.

An Equal Opportunity Employer.

We support equality for and advancement of all people, based on their qualifications and actions alone, without regard to color, gender, age, religion, national origin or disability.

An Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information on this role, please click the apply button above to read the full job description on our site.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Health Care Provider

• Industries

  Non-profit Organizations

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