Behavioral Health Specialist

Venture Community Services; Sturbridge (MA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Venture Community Services in Massachusetts seeks a Behavioral Health Specialist to deliver high-quality behavioral services within day habilitation and residential programs. You will develop and implement behavior plans, train staff, and collaborate with BCBAs, program staff, and DDS coordinators to ensure effective, compliant care.

This full-time, hourly role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, data collection and analysis, and travel between sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Three years of professional level ABA/relevant field experience preferred
• Must be 21+ years old, have a valid driver's license, daily use of a car on site and be available by telephone

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement individualized behavior plans with staff training
• Collaborate with BCBAs, House Managers, Program Directors and DDS coordinators
• Review data before changing behavior plans
• Conduct functional behavior assessments
• Initiate baseline data tracking for new behaviors
• Develop transition plans for new referrals
• Complete ISP behavioral assessments as scheduled
• Ensure least restrictive/aversive interventions are used
• Participate in Risk Review meetings and Human Rights committees
• Provide recommendations for additional evaluations and therapy as needed
• Develop and maintain tools for behavior plans (visual schedules, token systems)
• Ensure timely responses to behavioral requests
• Provide training on behavior plan development and DDS regulations
• Complete behavioral sections of Service Needs Assessments
• Report to Clinical Supervisor on requests and observations
• Be knowledgeable in emergency restraint procedures
• Review incident/restraint reports for trends
• Assist with behavior graphs for psychiatric appointments
• Ensure compliance with DDS and Medicaid regulations
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Data analysis

Caseload prioritization

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field

ABA/relevant field experience (preferred)

Tools

Excel

Job description

Summary Of Position

The Behavioral Health Specialist reports to the Clinical Supervisor of Clinical & Behavioral Services and is responsible for providing the highest quality behavioral services to the people supported by Venture Day and Residential programs with regard to behavioral/clinical functions. This position is closely involved with program participants, staff, and management. This position will be compensated on an hourly basis.

Description

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Summary Of Position

The Behavioral Health Specialist reports to the Clinical Supervisor of Clinical & Behavioral Services and is responsible for providing the highest quality behavioral services to the people supported by Venture Day and Residential programs with regard to behavioral/clinical functions. This position is closely involved with program participants, staff, and management. This position will be compensated on an hourly basis.

Full-Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8a-4p or 9a-5p

Pay Rate: $23-$27/hour based on experience

Sign On Bonus - $2500

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Develop and implement individualized behavior plans, providing staff training and support as requested.


• Collaborates with multiple team members, including but not limited to, BCBAs, House Managers, Program Directors, parent/guardians, and DDS Service Coordinators, to ensure effective planning, communication, and delivery of services.


• Review and interpret data prior to making behavior plan changes.


• Conduct functional behavior assessments using staff interviews and direct observation to gather information.


• Initiate baseline data tracking for new behaviors, providing forms and instructions to direct support staff.


• Develop transition plans for new referrals.


• Complete ISP behavioral assessments following the ISP schedule on the Behavior Plan Tracking sheet in Excel.


• Ensure least restrictive/aversive interventions are considered and implemented before more restrictive/aversive interventions are tried.


• Participate in Risk Review meetings, providing data relating to risk.


• Participate in Human Rights Committee meetings when requested.


• In consultation with the Clinical Supervisor, make recommendations for additional clinical, psychological, forensic evaluation, therapy, and other outside assessments as needed.


• Develop, implement, and maintain tools necessary for carrying out behavioral intervention plans in a timely manner (i.e. visual schedules, token systems, etc.).


• Ensure timely response to behavioral requests by the Clinical Supervisor.


• Provide training in behavior plan development, behavior plan management, DDS regulations and Human Rights as needed/requested.


• Complete behavioral section of the Service Needs Assessment for both day habilitation locations.


• Apprise the Clinical Supervisor of behavioral requests, clinical observations, and work being accomplished in both day habilitation settings.


• Be knowledgeable in emergency physical restraint and intervention procedures.


• Review incident/restraint reports, as needed, relating to behavior, identifying trends and possible behavioral needs of the individual.


• Assist with completing behavior graphs for site supervisors to bring to psychiatric appointments including data collected on behaviors, and other pertinent information to be shared with the psychiatrist.


• Ensure plan compliance with DDS and Medicaid regulations for behavior analysis.


• Other duties as assigned.

Marginal Duties And Responsibilities

• Attend outside Agency meetings as requested by the Clinical Supervisor / Clinical & Behavioral Services.


• Attend trainings to further develop clinical skills/knowledge as needed to remain current.


• Be trained in Human Rights.

Physical And Mental Requirements

• Travel to various residential sites, day program, and contracted agencies.


• Effective written and verbal skills.


• Strong coordination skills – ability to prioritize caseloads.


• Ability to effectively utilize a computer.


• Ability to collect and analyze data.

Requirements

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field, required.


• Preferred three years of professional level experience in ABA/relevant field and intellectual disabilities/autism.


• Must be 21+ years old, a valid driver’s license, daily use of a car on site and be available by telephone for daily contact.