Behavioral Support Specialist (BSS)

Gateway Adult Residential Co; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 45,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 7% employer match

Health, Dental, and Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Flexible Spending Account

Gym Membership

Telehealth services

Educational reimbursement

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

Gateway Adult Residential Care seeks a Behavior Support Specialist to join the McKenzie Living-Eugene team. The role focuses on Trauma-Informed Care and resident-centered goals within a residential setting, guiding staff and residents toward recovery.

Responsibilities include developing activities, crisis management, accurate EHR documentation, and staff training to ensure quality care and compliance with HIPAA and abuse reporting policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science field (accredited).
• Three years of full-time professional experience with adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
• QMHA certification or equivalent training.
• Experience with federal/state healthcare/assisted living/residential care facility rules preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to residents according to Behavior Service Plans.
• Integrate Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, and Motivational Interviewing into daily operations.
• Conduct individual and group skills training; identify and prioritize goals.
• Perform progress measurements and consult with the care team.
• Maintain compliance with EHR documentation and HIPAA requirements.
• Develop and implement structured group activities to support recovery.
• Supervise residents in self-care, hygiene, housekeeping, meals, transport, and community integration.
• Complete progress notes within 72 hours of service delivery; update Behavior Support Plans quarterly; write Behavior Support Summaries quarterly.
• Train care staff on implementing Behavior Support Plans and interventions.
• Assist in crises with trauma-informed protocols; crisis avoidance/escalation.

Skills

Trauma-Informed Care

Harm Reduction

Motivational Interviewing

Crisis management

Documentation in EHR

Team collaboration

Computer literacy

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in behavioral science

QMHA certification

3 years of full-time professional experience with adults with severe mental illness

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Title: Behavior Support Specialist (BSS)

Location

McKenzie Living-Eugene

2625 Lone Oak Way

Eugene, OR 97404

www.McKenzieLiving.com

Salary

$21.00 - $32.27 per hour (DOE) + $1.25 SNC Differential

Bonus

$1,000 Sign-on bonus

About Us

Gateway Adult Residential Care operates four 24/7 residential care facilities dedicated to providing compassionate care to adults struggling with mental health issues, including Dementia, Alzheimer's, brain injuries, challenging behaviors, and aging-related needs. Our mission is to create a sanctuary for individuals seeking a supportive environment where care and services are delivered with compassion.

Position Summary

As a Behavior Support Specialist (BSS), you will be an integral member of an interdisciplinary team dedicated to supporting and assisting residents within a residential care facility. Your role is pivotal in upholding a Trauma-Informed Care framework, which involves understanding the multifaceted impacts of trauma on long-term outcomes and health. This knowledge will guide you in assisting residents in achieving their personalized goals effectively. You will actively engage in the development and implementation of program objectives, employing a strengths-based, person-centered approach to facilitate residents' progress. Your responsibilities will also encompass critical aspects of crisis management, where you will provide essential support to staff in areas such as behavior management and harm reduction. Your contributions as a BSS will be central to fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes the well-being of residents and promotes recovery.

Key Responsibilities

• Resident Support:
  • Provide support to residents according to their Behavior Service Plans.
  • Integrate best practices such as Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, and Motivational Interviewing into daily operations.
  • Conduct individual and group skills training, collaborating with clients to identify and prioritize goals.
  • Perform continuous assessments, measure progress toward goals, and consult with the care team as necessary.
  • Provide support to residents by maintaining civil commitment, accessing third-party counseling services, etc. (as needed).
• Program Implementation:
  • Develop and implement structured group activities to engage residents and support their recovery process.
  • Facilitate group activities focused on socialization, community building, recreation, and basic skill training.
  • Supervise and support residents in areas such as self-care, hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, use of public transportation, community integration, and social skills.
• Documentation and Compliance:
  • Complete progress notes and documentation within 72 hours of service delivery.
  • Maintain electronic health records (EHR) and ancillary records, ensuring compliance with all agency policies and regulations.
  • Update Behavior Support Plans every three months to document challenging behaviors and address issues with Trauma-Informed Care problem-solving.
  • Write thorough Behavior Support Summaries every three months, capturing resident's progress and documented challenging behaviors.
• Administrative Duties:
  • Participate in regular supervision, clinical case conferences, and staff meetings to communicate program and resident needs.
  • Comply with facility regulations, policies, and procedures, ensuring adherence to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
  • Provide training to care staff on effectively implementing Behavior Support Plans and Interventions.
• Crisis Management:
  • Assist in crises by following protocols and coordinating with the Care Team to maintain a trauma-informed environment.
  • Demonstrate competency in crisis avoidance and escalation prevention to neutralize crises effectively.
• Other Duties:
  • Coordinate with staff on shift regarding resident concerns, building/program needs, and any issues to ensure smooth program operation.
  • Responsible for after-hours on-call, providing consultation and crisis support as needed, or being required to come on-site during on-call hours as needed.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university.
• Three years of full-time professional experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Certified as a QMHA or completion of equivalent training.
• Experience and knowledge of federal and state healthcare/assisted living/residential care facility rules and practices are preferred.

Required Qualifications

• Maintain a cohesive, mission-driven team, developing the team to meet program needs.
• Collaborate with relevant provider agencies and others, contributing to the company's success.
• Thrive in a flexible, fast-paced, and growth-oriented environment with a positive, solution-oriented approach.
• Competently use a computer and Microsoft Office programs such as Word and Excel.
• Pass a drug screen and a criminal background check.
• Show passion and enthusiasm for the mission of Gateway Adult Residential Care and its clients.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including:
  • 401(k) with 7% employer match
  • Health, Dental, and Life Insurance
  • Paid Time Off
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Gym Membership
  • Telehealth services
  • Opportunities for professional growth and educational reimbursement

Physical Requirements

• Environment: Frequently work indoors, occasionally outdoors.
• Movement: Perform tasks involving frequent lifting (up to 50-200 pounds), standing, walking, bending, kneeling, squatting, crouching, reaching, and twisting.
• Exposure: Frequent exposure to air conditioning, central heat, chemicals/cleaning supplies, and possible contagious diseases.
• Social Environment: Handle high-volume work and multiple or complicated tasks frequently. Work closely with others in a team setting.
• Specifics: Standing (constantly), sitting (frequently), driving (occasionally), and handling emergencies (rarely).

Why Join Us

At Gateway, we value our employees as much as our residents. We offer a supportive and dynamic work environment where you can thrive and make a real impact. Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, continuous learning opportunities, and the satisfaction of contributing to a mission-driven organization that truly cares.

Gateway Adult Residential Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.