Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Arizona Department of Health Services; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arizona State Hospital seeks a Board Certified Behavior Analyst to provide specialized behavioral health expertise for adult patients with acute and high-risk behaviors. You will conduct FBAs, oversee BIPs, and support interdisciplinary teams to reduce DTS/DTO and improve treatment readiness.

You will also supervise practicum students, contribute to training, and help develop hospital-wide behavioral practice standards while maintaining ethical, trauma-informed care across the program.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in ABA, Psychology, Behavioral Science, or related field.
• BCBA certification in good standing with the BACB.
• Arizona Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) within 6 months of hire.
• Experience in inpatient/forensic settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct FBAs and oversee the development and monitoring of BIPs.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and provide staff coaching on behavior support.
• Collect and analyze behavioral data to guide treatment decisions and program development.
• Provide BCBA supervision to practicum students and contribute to staff training.
• Other duties as assigned (roughly 5–10%).

Skills

FBAs

BIPs

Data analysis

Staff training

Documentation

Education

Master’s degree or higher in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Behavioral Science, or a related field

Job description

The Arizona State Hospital (ASH) provides inpatient psychiatric care to persons with serious mental illness who need long-term behavioral health care. ASH promotes hope and wellness for our patients and creates opportunities to participate in planning, delivering and evaluating services that assist with recovery. Treatment is individualized with goals that focus on education about an illness, instilling hope and improving one's overall quality of life. The Arizona State Hospital has a wide range of positions available, from our direct care staff, Nurses and Behavioral Health Technicians to Social Workers, Rehabilitation Specialist and Security to name a few. The Arizona State Hospital also offers 12 hour shifts for our Direct Care staff as well as some alternative work schedules, flexible hours for non-direct care staff. We offer a robust benefit package, including the ADHS Student Loan Assistance Program where eligible employees can receive up to $437.50 per month for their outstanding student loans. Come check us out and see how you can make a difference in the lives of all Arizonans.

Position: Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Location: 501 N. 24th Street Phoenix, AZ 85008

Job Summary:

The Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) provides specialized behavioral health expertise for civil and forensic adult patients with highly acute, aggressive, and/or destructive behaviors that significantly interfere with treatment engagement, safety, and discharge readiness. This role is responsible for conducting Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), developing and overseeing the implementation of individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), and supporting interdisciplinary treatment teams in reducing behaviors related to Danger to Self (DTS) and Danger to Others (DTO).

The BCBA serves as a member of the treatment team, collaborating closely with the interdisciplinary team to promote therapeutic safety, treatment progression, and successful transition to the least restrictive environment. In addition to direct clinical responsibilities, the BCBA will provide oversight to BCBA practicum students and contributes to staff training, program development, and hospital-wide behavioral practice standards.

Job Duties:

• Behavioral Assessment & Treatment Planning – Conduct functional behavior assessments (FBAs); develop, implement, and monitor Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and behavioral treatment recommendations for patients exhibiting aggression, self-injury, property destruction, treatment refusal, or other high-risk behaviors.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Staff Training & Implementation Support – Collaborate with treatment teams to address behavioral barriers to treatment, support implementation of behavioral interventions, provide staff coaching and consultation, and train staff on behavior support strategies, de-escalation techniques, reinforcement systems, and behavior plan implementation.
• Data Analysis and Program Development – Collect, analyze, and interpret behavioral data to evaluate treatment effectiveness, support clinical decision-making, and assist in the development of behavioral procedures and clinical programming designed to improve patient functioning, reduce barriers to treatment, and support successful community transition.
• Clinical Oversight & Professional Development – Provide BCBA oversight to practicum students as applicable and support staff development related to applied behavior analysis principles and interventions.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position (typically 5% - 10%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• applied behavior analysis (ABA) principles, behavioral assessment methodologies, and behavior intervention planning.
• functional behavior assessments (FBAs), behavioral data collection systems, and treatment evaluation methods.
• psychiatric disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and factors impacting treatment engagement.
• positive behavior support strategies, de-escalation techniques, and behavior change procedures.
• interdisciplinary treatment planning and recovery-oriented behavioral health services.
• ethical practice, patient rights, trauma-informed care, and applicable regulatory standards.

Skills in:

• conducting functional behavior assessments and skills based assessments.
• developing, implementing, and evaluating Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
• collecting, analysing, and interpreting behavioral data to guide treatment decisions.
• training, coaching, and consulting with clinical and direct care staff.
• Skill in written and verbal communication, documentation, and clinical problem-solving.

Ability to:

• work effectively within interdisciplinary treatment teams.
• establish and maintain professional and therapeutic relationships with patients and staff.
• manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing clinical needs.
• exercise sound clinical judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• support a safe, therapeutic, and recovery-oriented treatment environment.
• effectively implement services with individuals exhibiting complex behavioral and mental health needs.

Selective Preferences

Experience working in inpatient psychiatric, forensic, state hospital, or correctional settings with adult population. Familiarity with risk assessment, DTS/DTO considerations, and least restrictive environment principles. Prior experience providing supervision to BCBA practicum students. Experience training and coaching large multidisciplinary staff teams.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Master’s degree or higher in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Behavioral Science, or a related field.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in good standing with the BACB.

Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in the state of Arizona (out of state applicants must submit all required documentation for state licensing within first 30 days of employment) License must be obtained by 6 months after hire.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).