Therapeutic Support Specialist

Broome-Tioga BOCES; City of Binghamton (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Broome-Tioga BOCES seeks a Therapeutic Support Specialist (TSS) to observe, assess, and engage students who cannot be engaged in instruction, applying therapeutic techniques for targeted support.

The role involves collaborating with staff on behavior strategies, assessing needs, defusing crises, and preparing progress reports in a school setting. This is a 10-month position with responsibilities monitored by a treatment team.

Qualifications

• Requires ability to model and apply therapeutic interventions.
• Must communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Experience working with children/adolescents in school or therapeutic settings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Observe, assess, and engage students unable to be engaged in instruction.
• Apply therapeutic intervention techniques for specialized support.
• Collaborate with staff to establish positive student behavior and safety plans.
• Assess student needs and report to clinical staff; contribute to treatment goals.
• Prepare progress reports and complete paperwork in a timely manner.

Skills

Therapeutic interventions

Communication skills

Crisis de-escalation

Decision making

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work

Associate's degree in social work or related field

High school diploma + 4 years experience

Job description

2 open positions

10-month position

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Therapeutic Support Specialist (TSS) has the responsibility for observing, assessing, intervening, accepting and engaging students who cannot be engaged in instruction. The TSS will apply therapeutic intervention techniques for students in need of more specialized support to facilitate interaction in a constructive and productive manner. Key responsibilities include:

• Works with staff to establish positive student behavior by developing appropriate strategies tailored to individual students
• Assesses students' needs and provides recommendations to clinical staff to positively affect behavior
• Works as a contributing member of the treatment team who contributes to the creation, implementation and evaluation of treatment goals and objectives
• Assesses and defuses crisis situations, including the utilization of emergency physical interventions as necessary
• Prepares students to successfully re-enter the classroom setting and promotes positive behavior support in the classroom
• Collaborates with the students, their family and classroom team to complete individual safety plans
• Uses ongoing assessments to maintain a record of student progress
• Prepares a variety of reports and accurately completes all paperworkrelated to provided services in a timely manner as required by school policies and procedures

References and Application Requirements:

• Three (3) Professional References Required - These must be filled out in the section of your application where requested.
• A copy of your diploma may be uploaded in place of transcripts if necessary

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, human services, human development or psychology: OR
• Associate's degree in social work, counseling, human services, human development, psychology or closely related field with two years' experience working with children/adolescents in a school or therapeutic environment; OR
• High school diploma or equivalency and four years' experience working with children/adolescents in a school or therapeutic environment
• Ability to model and practice therapeutic interventions
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school staff, students and their families
• Ability to implement a strength-based approach with students in crisis
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to strongly advocate for students and their families
• Ability to work compassionately with children experiencing trauma
• Ability to completea variety of paperwork and reports
• Ability to handle emotionally charged situations
• Commitment to meeting the needs of every student
• Strong belief that every student can succeed
• Skill and confidence in making decisions