TRC - Behavior Intervention Specialist 1

The Resource Center has been providing services to persons with disabilities in the Chautauqua County area since 1958. From our humble beginnings as a gathering of parents and concerned citizens who wanted to provide educational and training opportunities for persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities, The Resource Center has grown into a comprehensive agency providing services to thousands of persons with all types and levels of disabilities.

 

The Resource Center is the largest non-governmental employer in Chautauqua County with more than 1,300 employees on its payroll.

 

The mission of The Resource Center is to support individuals with disabilities and other challenges in achieving maximum independence, contributing to their community, experiencing lifelong growth, and enjoying quality of life.

BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION SPECIALIST I/II

RESPONSIBLE TO: Residence Coordinator Supervisor/Designee

FUNCTION:

Behavior Intervention Specialists are responsible to provide ongoing support to all staff through on-site mentoring, coaching, training and agency trainings at various times that promote the protection of consumers’ dignity, safety, health, welfare and civil rights. This oversight ensures that all staff are competent to implement proactive behavioral approaches, effective teaching strategies, programmatic goals and objectives, safeguards, behavior plans, restrictive/intrusive interventions when there is a clear risk to the health and safety of the person or others. May develop and/or provide supervision for behavioral support plans or services that do not include intrusive/restrictive interventions. Behavior support plans or services which include intrusive/restrictive measures must be developed by a Behavior Intervention Specialist I (BIS I) under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Demonstrated ability to perform behavioral assessments, cognitive and adaptive behavioral evaluations. Demonstrated ability to develop/implement behavior plans. Demonstrated ability to implement physical behavioral interventions. The ability to develop and implement training curricula for adult learners. An understanding of developmental disabilities, as well as, knowledge of or the ability to learn residential services for the developmentally disabled. Effective communication skills necessary to work with program participants, families and agency personnel. Must be detail oriented and possess excellent organizational skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels. Knowledge of or ability to learn agency programs. Ability to complete all necessary paperwork and reporting in a timely manner. Flexibility, reliability and the ability to work non-traditional hours as needed or assigned to meet program/participants needs. Ability and willingness to travel for work is essential. Knowledge of computer programs including but not limited to, Word, Excel, and Power Point. Physical condition or reasonable accommodation(s) commensurate with the demands of the job.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

BIS II (ABSS Trainee) National board certification in behavior analysis (BCBA); and a Master’s Degree in behavior analysis, or a field closely related to clinical or community psychology which is approved by OPWDD review OR; Master’s Degree in a clinical or treatment field in psychology, social work, school psychology, or a related human services field; or New York State license in Mental Health Counseling PLUS have or obtain OPWDD-approved specialized training or experience in assessment techniques and behavioral support plan development; AND have provided behavioral services for an agency in the OPWDD system continuously since December 31, 2012; OR; Master’s degree in a clinical or treatment field in psychology, social work, school psychology, or a related human service field; AND function in the Psychologist I or Psychologist II Civil Service titles of New York State A valid driver's license as well as a driving record acceptable to TRC insurance carrier. BIS I (ABSS) Master’s Degree from a program in a clinical and/or treatment field of psychology and have documented training in assessment techniques and behavioral support plan development; PLUS at least five (5) years of experience working directly with individuals with developmental disabilities, including devising, implementation, and monitoring of behavior plans; and/or providing supervision and training to others in the implementation of behavior support plans.

Note: A BIS II (ABSS Trainee) may advance to a BIS I (ABSS) upon successful completion of three (3) years as a BIS II.

DUTIES:

1. Performs psychological evaluations to assess the individuals’ mental, psychological, behavioral, and adaptive functioning and determines individual programmatic needs.
2. Provides psychological evaluation information to the interdisciplinary team at the initial treatment meeting and, thereafter, participates in the formulation and review of a comprehensive treatment plan for each individual.
3. Designs and implements individual behavior plans and monitors all such programs.
4. BIS I (ABSS) supervises the BIS II (ABSS Trainee) in the development of plans that do not include intrusive/restrictive interventions
5. Provides staff development training in behavior plans and intervention techniques, psychological evaluation, design and implementation of programmatic goals and objectives, and other areas as needed or requested.
6. Utilize Therap as a tool to monitor and review behavior situations and physical interventions in order to provide a thorough oversight. This includes the review of behavior t-logs and other documentation as necessary for individuals on caseload to identify possible staff training issues or other means of behavior support.
7. Completes Site Observation Form and submits to appropriate staff within 24 hours of site visit.
8. Conducts visits to assigned homes to observe staff while directly working with the individuals. During the visits, they observe the implementation of behavior plans and regular programming plans to ensure quality programming and training is provided at all times.
9. Develops individual plans by reviewing data based progress, communicating with individuals and staff, attending meetings, receiving feedback and writing plans based upon Functional Behavior Analysis.
10. Identifies through the Functional Behavior Analysis proactive strategies that may include prevention strategies, setting event strategies, teaching replacement or alternative behaviors, functional communication and social skills, stress management, positive reinforcement and shaping procedures.
11. Ensures that data collected is measurable and recordable, reflective of the individual’s progress or lack of progress, matches the behavior support plan and demonstrates consistency in recording by staff to ensure that the plan is implemented as written.
12. Monthly, reviews the plans and confirms changes made, if needed, have been effective and plan is implemented and provide for the psychiatric consultation.
13. Attends Clinical, Individual Support Plan and Staff meetings as assigned as directed by supervisor.
14. Facilitate team meeting for individuals that are experiencing problem behaviors, follow up with plans of action should problem behaviors increase, attend psychiatric monitoring clinic and reports behavioral concerns.
15. Maintain relationship with the Licensed Psychologist and/or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and other staff in order to develop continuity of day and residential behavior services.
16. Responsible for the timely completion of all written documentation, including but not limited to: behavior plans, monthly progress notes, psychiatric consultations and communication forms, as directed.
17. Attends trainings as required by agency or supervisor.
18. Available for crisis intervention to support individuals and staff during challenging behaviors, using positive support strategies that may lead to SCIP-R
19. Performs any other related duties as needed or assigned.

REQUIRED TOOLS:

1. Badge Access (Residential Homes and Day Programs)
2. E-Mail (Internal account)
3. Internet (with research browsing capabilities)
4. Shared Drive (Residential and Behavioral Drive)
5. Training Management System
6. Therap (Behavior access level)

 

8/15; 10/18; 08/20; 1/23

I/DD Services

THE RESOURCE CENTER

Grade 18

Exempt PTO/CAT: 3

CFR: 322