Behavior Technician, Severe Behavior Services

Easterseals Southern California; New York (NY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Easterseals Southern California is seeking a Behavior Technician to deliver clinic and home-based ABA therapy for individuals with severe behaviors. The role involves direct intervention, data collection, and collaboration with BCBAs, families, and the team to implement treatment plans.

Sessions typically run 3 to 4 hours, Monday through Friday, at center, home, or community sites. The position requires Crisis Management Training and experience with autism and challenging behaviors.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
• Crisis Management Training at Intermediate and Advanced levels required.
• Continued employment contingent upon passing Crisis Management Training.

Responsibilities

• Supports and works with participants with autism and severe behavior in center, home, or community settings.
• Collects data about participant behavior through direct observation and routine intervals.
• Assists BCBAs with assessments, skill plans, and data-driven decision making.
• Teaches socially appropriate behaviors and maintains treatment integrity.
• Communicates intervention results to caregivers and treatment teams daily.
• Operates at a 2:1 staff-to-participant ratio; demonstrates teamwork and communication.
• Conducts 3–4 hour sessions, with prep and notes after each appointment.
• Participates in caregiver training and weekly team meetings.

Skills

ABA knowledge

Data collection

Communication skills

Professionalism

Confidentiality

Crisis management awareness

Education

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent

Crisis Management Training (Intermediate/Advanced)

Tools

Microsoft Office

iPad

Job description

Overview

Our Behavior Technician role provides CLINIC and HOME BASED therapy sessions to clients that exhibit severe behaviors (clients also receive ABA services in community settings as appropriate).

Are you interested in furthering your career in behavioural therapy, and managing severe behaviors? Easterseals Southern California has many fantastic opportunities for individuals looking to continue a career in the fields of psychology, behavioural health, or autism services.

$26-$28 per hour

OVERVIEW OF POSITION:

Designs services provided for individuals with severe needs. Requires extensive experience working with individuals with autism and severe challenging behavior, or have exemplary performance providing ABA treatment. Provides services in center, home, or community, as needed, and often at a 2:1 staff-to-participant ratio. May serve individuals with autism to address a range of severe needs, such as problem behavior, skill acquisition, feeding, toileting, etc. Provides coaching, support, and guidance to the parent/guardian/caregiver in implementing treatment plans. Monitors, documents, and collects data applicable to daily progress.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

• Supports and works with participants diagnosed with autism and severely challenging behavior of all ages. Challenging behavior may include aggression, property destruction, self-injurious behavior, feeding issues, among others. Services may be at the participant's home, community, and/or center. However, most participants start their services at center, and then treatment is generalized to the home or community after it is determined to be appropriate by the family and team.
• Collects data about participant behavior through direct observation. Appointments may be divided into several treatment intervals in which specific interventions and data collection procedures are used to target the participant's individualized needs.
• Assists BCBAs as directed with behavior assessments and skill acquisition plans. May assist with functional analyses, preference assessments, and development of instructional materials.
• Teaches participants the socially appropriate behavior identified in treatment plans. Adheres to the treatment plan to maintain high treatment integrity.
• Nurtures participants' skills to produce socially significant and meaningful outcomes for participants and their families.
• Communicates intervention results to participants' caregivers and treatment teams daily.
• Provides direct intervention with a staff-to-participant ratio at 2:1 due to the severity of the challenging behavior; displays excellent communication skills and teamwork.
• Provides treatment sessions which range from 3 to 4 hours, Monday through Friday. Required to arrive early to prepare for therapy and to stay 30 minutes after the scheduled appointment to complete session notes, email a daily report to all team members, graph session data, and clean up.
• Participates in caregiver training sessions to the extent feasible. Typically, this involves collecting data on caregivers' performance and providing feedback on their implementation.
• Attends weekly team meetings for each participant on their caseload. Meetings are approximately 45 to 60 minutes in duration. Expected to provide input based on the data that are collected within a behavior analytic framework.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required .
• Crisis Management Trainingis required (MCPP) Intermediateand (MCPP) Advanced. Training will be provided during onboarding activities after employment begins. Continued employment with Easterseals Severe Behavior Services is contingent upon successfully passing Crisis Management Training at both the Intermediate and Advanced levels.

EXPERIENCE:

• Some ABA experience and at least 2 years of experience working with adolescents and/or adults with profound disabilities including autism.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated competency in approaches to intervention, based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis; competency in employing behavior analytic methodologies, including discrete trial and naturalistic teaching procedures, differential reinforcement, continuous and discontinuous measurement, and crisis/emergency procedures.
• Must demonstrate knowledge and physical competency in a formal behavior management safety course, provided through ESSC or an approved affiliate.
• Must possess basic computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (i.e., Microsoft Teams, Word, Outlook, Excel, etc.). Must be able to learn and use an iPad and/or other assigned devices.
• Ability to maintain positive consumer interaction and professionalism, communicate effectively through oral and written skills, and work cooperatively with a variety of individuals and groups; demonstrated ability to interact well with participants, their families, and to maintain positive and cordial demeanor.
• Ability to interpret and implement ESSC policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to demonstrate good judgment, exercise discretion, and maintain a high level of confidentiality in handling sensitive situations and documentation.
• Ability to pass a post-offer physical examination and a TB test.
• Ability to provide proof of required vaccinations or positive titer showing immunity. A signed declination may be acceptable for certain vaccinations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a criminal record/fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation per Easterseals of Southern California and/or program requirements.
• Ability to travel locally; maintain driving record in compliance with Transportation Safety Standards; maintain auto insurance and vehicle registration.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ADA:

Carrying/Lifting: Frequent / 0-30 lbs. & Occasional / Up to 70 lbs.
Standing: Frequent / Up to 4 hours per day
Sitting: Occasional / Up to 3 hours per day
Walking: Frequent / Up to 3 hours per day
Repetitive Motion/Activity: Walking, bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling, and twisting
Visual Acuity: Ability to view computer monitor and read newsprint
Travel: Up to 50% of time
Environmental Exposure: Unpleasant or hazardous working conditions (e.g., noise, yelling, dust, bodily fluids, etc.) 20-50% of work time