The Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) implements and evaluates all behavior support services, including conducting psychological evaluations, functional assessments, developing behavior support plans, and training staff. This role involves monitoring individual progress, making necessary plan revisions, and providing consultation on crisis intervention and behavior modification programs.
Requirements summary
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in a clinical or treatment field such as psychology or social work, and experience providing behavioral supports to individuals with developmental, intellectual, and/or mental health diagnoses is preferred. A valid driver's license is required, along with the ability to work a flexible schedule including two weekend days per month and participate in an on-call rotation.
postgraduate degreeCrisis InterventionConsultationData CollectionEmployee TrainingBehavior Support PlansInformed ConsentFunctional AssessmentsHuman Rights CommitteeCase ReviewsPsychological EvaluationsClinical Progress NotesAdaptive Skills DevelopmentInterdisciplinary Treatment Team MeetingsAdaptive Behavior ScalesIntelligence TestingBehavior Modification Programs
Job description
Enjoy making a difference? Join the team at FREE, enriching the lives of others, one individual at a time.
Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to support people of all abilities reach their full potential and thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy.
Position Summary
Under the supervision of the Director(s) of Behavior Support (DBS), the Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) is responsible for the implementation and evaluation of all behavior support services for the people they support. This includes, but is not limited to, psychological evaluations, functional assessments, behavior support plans, data collection, employee training, crisis intervention, individual and group support, case reviews and other interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, and training and consultation with other team members. The BIS will work in collaboration with the individual and their circle of support to ensure the highest quality of clinical services in a manner that is consistent and aligned with agency mission and vision, and the philosophy of the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL). DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Reviews and analyzes baseline data of target maladaptive behavior to establish current frequency, duration and existing contingencies
Analyzes potential existing functions of maladaptive behavior (including any current, unplanned and planned contingencies) utilizing baseline procedures and formulating a written Functional Behavioral Assessment
Recognizes and operationally define individuals’ maladaptive behavior and possible alternate adaptive behavior based on direct observations of behavior, review of records, and verbal/written input from the individual receiving services, team members including direct support staff, as well as any other stakeholder who could provide resourceful information.
Develops, implements, and assists in the training of team members in the implementation of formal Behavior Modification Programs (e.g. Behavior Support Plan, Symptom Management Support Plan, Behavior Support Desensitization Plan, etc.)
Monitors individuals’ progress and team members implementation of behavior support plans by providing staff observation and feedback; make timely revisions of plans as indicated to ensure that the individuals are progressing at minimum every 6 months.
Instructs staff in specific, proactive, active, reactive, and data collection procedures that emphasize proactive interventions to encourage the development of adaptive skills that will serve the same function as the target maladaptive behavior
Provides regular and as needed consultations regarding issues such as crisis intervention, behavior modification programs, diagnostics, and teaching/training programs for the individuals
Assists with the preparation and presentation all required paperwork for Human Rights Committee meetings and other committee meetings, as needed
Assists with obtaining informed consent from individuals/families for the use of restrictive behavior support plans and psychotropic medications, as needed.
Facilitates completion of applicable Informed Consent evaluations
Completes and submits all required paperwork both paper and/or electronic in a timely manner per policy and compliance regulations including but not limed to: clinical progress notes, semi- and annual summaries, psychological reports, summaries for psychiatrists, psychologists, and other clinicians to assist with accurate diagnosis and treatment, weekly reports, frequency data, etc.) accurately, completely, and on-time, as per individuals’ needs.
Assists with facilitation of identified necessary clinical services that can address areas such as human sexuality, social skills, stress management, anger control etc.
Provides crisis support, as indicated, to assist individuals in coping with various psychological stressors
Obtains/maintains required training certifications including but not limited to CPR, First Aid, SCIP-R, as needed per Agency policy
Attends Interdisciplinary Treatment Team meetings, Clinical Supervision meetings, Behavior Support Department meetings and other Clinical Services meetings as clinically necessary
Administers, scores, and interprets major standardized Intelligence Tests (i.e. WAIS-R, WISC-III, Stanford-Binet IV, Leiter International Performance Scale, etc.), as applicable, when clinically indicated and/or required by regulation or Agency policy and procedure, with approval from the Assistant Director of Behavior Support
Administers, scores, and interprets major standardized Adaptive Behavior Scales (i.e. Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, etc.), as applicable, when clinically indicated and/or required by regulation or Agency policy and procedure, with approval from the Assistant Director of Behavior Support
Attends in-service training programs, clinical and academic conferences and workshops and other educational presentations to maintain current knowledge of relevant clinical issues and techniques as requested or directed by the assigned supervisor
Addresses emergency situations as they occur in the program according to established policies and procedures, and ensure communication of such situations in a timely fashion
In partnership with management, recommends and facilitates referrals for individuals to clinics and private psychologists for individual, conjoint, family, and/or group therapy, when indicated
Perform additional responsibilities as requested and/or necessary, including supporting alternate locations when assigned Responsibilities of All FREE Employees
Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community.
Complies fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees.
Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk.
Coordinates, supports, attends and participates in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/ committees, including ones outside of standard working hours.
Meets all job requirements and stays in compliance.
Adheres to FREE’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations. Please note the above duties, responsibilities, and essential functions are a non-exhaustive list, and may be changed by FREE at any time, with or without notice to the employee.
Qualifications
Education: o Master’s degree in a clinical or treatment field in psychology, social work, school psychology, applied psychology as it relates to human development and clinical intervention, or a related human services field required.
Experience: o Experience working with and providing behavioral supports to individuals with developmental, intellectual, and/or mental health diagnoses preferred.
Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications: o Not required, training will be provided upon hire as needed
Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities: o Ability to effectively understand and communicate verbally with staff and the individuals we serve o Excellent writing, computer, organizational, interpersonal, problem-solving, and analytical skills
Other Requirements: o Valid driver’s license and satisfy criteria to be a driver for the agency required o Ability to work a flexible schedule according to program needs: start and end time of shift will vary, 2 weekend days a month required to meet the needs of the programs. o Available via assigned agency cell phone for on-call behavioral and psychiatric emergencies to support those served with a weekend on-call rotation amongst all agency BIS staff to provide ongoing support. WORK ENVIRONMENT This role is performed in-person, on-site at the assigned residential or day program locations. Must be able to travel to administrative locations for meetings etc. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours).
Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets.
Employee is required to reach with hands and arms.
Employee is required to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or stand on a stool as needed.
Employee is required to be able to lift 50 pounds at a time. Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE. FREE is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected characteristic. In addition to federal law requirements, FREE complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in all of its locations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Family Residences and Essential Enterprises’ affirmative action efforts related to protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are set out and described in our affirmative action plan for protected veterans and individuals with a disability. If you have any questions or would like to view the affirmative action plan, please visit our website www.familyres.org
