Purpose:

The Behavioral Intervention Specialist will work as part of the individual’s team, identifying triages and managing individuals with behavioral health problems with the goal of maximizing their independence and quality of life. In addition, they will provide positive interactions/interventions and skills training. This person will develop specific behavioral plans and behavioral health protocols for individuals.

Status: Non-Exempt

Leadership Core Competency

• Respectful:  treats everyone with courtesy and compassion recognizing individual uniqueness and needs. Displays honesty, integrity, and humility. Makes difficult decisions with empathy.
• Responsible:  accepts accountability for their own actions and the actions of others. Holds others accountable. Puts the interests of the organization above their personal interests. Is personally invested in the success of the organization.
• Build Partnerships: values and builds a collaborative culture and spirit. Willing to learn from  others. Moves others to act.      Pro-actively resolves conflict. Follows through in a timely manner. Anticipates and solves problems promptly with flexibility and      creativity.
• Commits to Service Excellence: focuses on the needs of the individuals. Constantly reassesses processes, procedures, principles, searching for improvement opportunity. Improves performance by introducing unique and leading-edge concepts. Encourages good ideas from staff. Defines and puts into action, Best Practices. Sets and achieves high standards of performance. Challenges the status quo.
• Develops People: Inspires and challenges others to reach their full potential. Celebrates the accomplishments of others. Effectively provides feedback to staff and colleagues. Understands and applies all agency policies.

Essential Functions:

• Facilitate or perform a Functional Behavior Assessment on a person that identifies the person’s behavioral health needs and is compliant with all applicable regulations. Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the behavioral challenges of people with Developmental Disabilities.
• Provide training and modeling for Direct Support Professionals on the implementation of Behavior Support Plans. Work side by side with Direct Support Professionals in the provision of services, as needed/requested.
• Update assessments annually and as needed to include re-evaluation of adaptive behavior skills, as well as rights and abilities review.
• Develop/monitor/evaluate person specific behavior programs as needed; ensure active treatment and  integration as needed while complying with regulations
• Ensure that a behavior plan that incorporates any limitations on a person’s rights and /or has a restrictive/intrusive intervention is approved by the human rights committee in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Provide ongoing in-service training in areas relative to people’s emotional stability, cognitive functioning, adaptive behaviors, as well as behavior modification, SCIP intervention, and other areas as requested/needed.
• Participate as an active member of each person’s team, working collaboratively with Direct Support Professionals, managers, Registered Nurses, outside providers, other agencies, etc., to meet each person’s needs, as well as attending      meetings/reviews and communicating progress/performance and providing written reports as needed. 
• Address deficits in behavioral health services identified by Internal Reviews, Medicaid Audits, DQI Surveys, etc. in a timely manner.
• Aid and consultation to coordinate psychological, psychiatric, psycho-social services into plans of care.
• Ensure all consents are obtained and human rights committee review is completed, filed, and reviewed in accordance with applicable OPWDD regulations.
• Assist in crisis intervention as needed.
• Ensure consultation and documentation with regards to consent issue
• Collaborate with consultant PhD. Psychologist.
• Participate, as requested, in the screening process for people AIM may serve.

Other Duties:

• Function as chair and/or active member of committees as needed.
• All other related duties as requested by supervisor.

 Qualifications:

• Must have or actively working towards obtaining a master’s degree from a program in a clinical and/or treatment field of Psychology or Social Work. Licensed Psychologist or Licensed Social Worker preferred.
• Have had documented training in assessment techniques and behavioral support plan development. 
• Five [5] years of writing, implementation, and monitoring of behavioral support plans, and/or providing supervision and training to others in the implementation of behavior support plans.
• Knowledge of and training in SCIP-R preferred.
• Knowledge of OPWDD regulatory requirements.
• Ability to work independently, organizational skills, and reliability in decision making.
• Flexibility of schedule to meet job duties/individual needs.

Physical/Cognitive Requirements:

• Ability  to perform and train SCIP-R physical interventions.
• Minimum 50 pound lifting and bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated interest and ability to facilitate the personal outcomes of persons served, taking a team approach.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality. Ability to remain calm in stressful or demanding situations.
• Sitting and/or computer use/writing for extended periods.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and various electronic medical records.
• Valid NYS Driver’s License acceptable to agency insurance standards, preferred. Maintain valid insurance and provide insurance card if you use your own vehicle.