Behavioral Specialist

Excentia-Human-Services-; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Excentia-Human-Services- seeks a Behavioral Specialist Lead to design and direct individualized behavioral intervention plans in line with organizational guidelines. The role emphasizes positive practices, data collection, and collaborative development with families and teams.

Responsibilities include training staff, overseeing plan implementation, data-driven revisions, and ensuring confidentiality and compliance with all regulations while maintaining strong multidisciplinary relationships.

Qualifications

• Has a master's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
• Has completed relevant educational and training programs including ethics, autism-specific trainings, assessments training, crisis intervention, and family collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Designs and directs behavioral intervention plans tailored to individuals.
• Collects and analyzes behavioral data to inform plan adjustments.
• Develops and maintains behavior support plans using positive strategies.
• Collaborates with participants, families, and teams to implement plans.
• Provides training on behavior support plans to participants, families and staff.
• Monitors and revises plans to ensure effectiveness and safety.
• Maintains confidentiality and engages with multidisciplinary teams.
• Performs required paperwork and billing documentation.

Skills

FBA knowledge

PBIS knowledge

Disabilities knowledge

DSM IV knowledge

Computer skills

Listening skills

Organization & time management

Data collection & analysis

Functional behavior assessments

Work under pressure

Professional boundaries

Confidentiality

English literacy

Oral communication

Written communication

Education

Master's degree or higher in related field

Related education/training programs (ethics, autism-specific, assessments, crisis intervention, family collaboration)

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Internet

Email

Job description

SUMMARYThe Behavioral Specialist Lead designs and directs the implementation of behavioral intervention plans which are specific to each individual in need of services throughout the organization. The Behavioral Specialist Lead provides individual centered and program based treatment according to ODP guidelines for Behavioral Support.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/MAJOR TASKSProvides expertise in behavioral management protocols;Collection and evaluation of behavioral data;Observation of the individual in various settings for the purpose of developing a behavior support plan;Collaboration with the participant, their family, and their team for the purpose of developing a behavior support plan that must include positive practices and may not include restraint procedures (physical, chemical, or mechanical) as support strategies;Conducting comprehensive functional assessments of presenting issues (e.g. aggression, self-injurious behavior, law offending behavior (sexual or otherwise));Development and maintenance of behavior support plans, which utilize positive strategies to support the participant, based on functional behavioral assessmentsGathers written information on the antecedents, behaviors, and consequences to determine the need for behavioral intervention, if the current behavior plan is working, and to identify any problems with the current behavior plan. ;Conducting training related to the implementation of behavior support plans for the participant, family members, and staff;Implementation of activities and strategies identified in the participants behavior support plan;Monitoring implementation of the behavior support plan, and revising as needed;Collaboration with the participant, their family, and their team in order to develop positive interventions to address specific presenting issues;Completion of required paperwork related to data collection, progress reporting and development of annual planning material;Collaborates with other involved professionals and agencies in order to provide unified services and continuity of care to individuals and staff;Develops discharge planning criteria;Submits applicable billing related documentation to facilitate payment of services for those documented and authorized in the Individual Support Plan (ISP);Ensures the confidentiality of program participants, records, and information is maintained at all times;Maintains effective Multi-Disciplinary Team interactions;Acts as a mandated reporter under the Pennsylvania Child Protect Service Law and Incident Management.Supervises Behavioral Support Assistants and monitor their caseloads.Provides training as needed to those implementing the behavioral support strategies.Monitor referrals and discharges to ensure program viability.OTHER JOB FUNCTIONSDemonstrates interest in learning additional aspects of job and attends trainings throughout the year as needed/required including company orientation and Office of Mental Health training.Maintains open communication channels to foster a harmonious work environment.Maintains accurate and complete records in an organized and efficient manner.Attends and participates in ISP meetings for individuals on case load.Participates on the Behavioral Approaches Review Committee.Participates with Incident and Risk Management CommitteesProvides coverage in emergency situations.To keep up to date on regulations regarding behavioral support.Engage in on-going professional development to increase knowledge and skills of positive behavior support for all individuals.Other duties that may be assigned.PHYSICAL DEMANDSOCCASIONALLY-0-35% OF TIMEFREQUENTLY-36-74% OF TIMECONSTANTLY-75% OF TIMEStandSitWalkLift/Carry/Push/Pull 0-10 lbs.DriveReachBendClimbCrawlSquatLift/Carry/Push/Pull 11-50 lbs.Lift/Carry/Push/Pull 50-100 lbs.Life/Carry/Push/Pull >100 lbs.Must have full range of use of both arms and hands to properly work with individuals.Ability to see read and distinguish colors, with or without vision aides, rules, policies and other printed matter.Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.Ability to speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal conversations.Ability to write legibly so that others may read and understand.Ability to quickly respond during times of emergency.The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, stoop, bend, twist, or crouch.The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, kneel, or crawl.The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 75 pounds as part of a team.WORKING CONDITIONSPrimarily administrative with exposure to toners and ink cartridges;Seasonal displays may include hay, pine needles, flowers, etc.;Outside weather conditions at times;Noise level can be high at times.QUALIFICATIONS / PREREQUISITES1. COMMUNICATIONa. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals served, family members of program participants, staff, supervisors, management and co-workers using professional and understandable language skills verbally, in reading, written work and comprehension.b. Communication must be consistent with the core values of the organization.2. SKILLSKnowledge of functional behavior assessments.Knowledge of positive behavior interventions and supports.Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and behavioral issues, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual DSM IV, child development, individual, group, and family treatment methodologies.Strong working knowledge of computer software products (MS Word, Excel, internet, e-mail, etc.).Knowledge and the ability to utilize good listening skills and comprehend verbal instructions given in English.Ability to organize, prioritize work assignments, schedules, and meets deadlines.Ability to collect and analyze data.Ability to conduct functional behavior assessments.Ability to work under pressure of time constraints.Ability to build healthy therapeutic relationships.Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards.Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information.Ability to read and comprehend instructions written in English.Ability to write legibly in English in a clear, concise, and logical manner.Ability to speak clearly and express self effectively in English.3. EDUCATIONHas received a master's or higher degree from a board-approved accredited college or university in a related field of study.Has completed relevant educational and training programs, including but not limited to professional ethics, autism specific trainings, assessments training, crisis intervention, and family collaboration.4. EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCEHas training on functional behavior assessments and preferably one year of experience in performing them.Has direct clinical experience with individuals with behavior challenges and at least 1 year of experience in a related field with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.5. OTHERMust be able to work flexible hours to meet individuals and programs needs.Must have a valid drivers license, good driving record, and access to a reliable vehicle to attend trainings, meetings, and/or transport individual to appointments.Must have the ability to obtain clearances as defined by regulations.May have on-call duties.