Behavior Specialist - Bloomington, MN

Behavior Specialist

Company Summary:

Beacon is a successful and national behavioral health company providing residential-based services and supports to children and adults Complex Behavioral Health conditions, Severe Mental Illness, Autism, and other compounding medical conditions. All activities related to this position must be delivered in compliance with the company’s policies and procedures, accreditation standards, state and federal licensing requirements, HCBS guidelines, and the contractual requirements of Community Mental Health Agencies and other regulatory bodies. You are expected to be aligned with the goals and mission of the organization, and to perform in accordance with our “I CARE” core values of the organization – Integrity, Compassion, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Behavior Specialist plays a critical role in providing specialized behavioral support services to individuals across various settings. This position supports the development and implementation of individualized behavior intervention plans under the direction and approval of a qualified supervisor, while also delivering training and guidance to Care Team staff to ensure effective plan execution. The Behavior Specialist collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to ensure effective and consistent application of behavior support strategies. Key responsibilities include monitoring and evaluating the progress of individuals, conducting data analysis, and adjusting intervention plans as needed. The Behavior Specialist is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals by promoting positive behaviors and addressing challenging behaviors through evidence-based practices.

This position requires completion of the specified degree within 90 calendar days of the employee’s start date. The employee is responsible for providing documentation confirming degree completion. If the required degree is not obtained within the 90-day timeframe, the employee will no longer meet the minimum qualifications for the position and employment will be terminated.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No supervisory responsibilities.

Primary Responsibilities:

Always be compliant with all company and regulatory policies and procedures.

Meets with assigned individuals to assist in the development and implementation of Behavior Support Plans (BSP) under the guidance and approval of a qualified supervisor.

Acts as a member of a team addressing significant behavioral and/or medical changes in consumers and regularly reviews and revises the Behavior Support Plan (BSP) and any related support guidelines or restrictive procedures plans with input from key persons such as the supported individual, other care team members, and external stakeholders.

Trains staff directly working with the consumer to implement the BSP; may model how to work with the consumer and directly intervene when challenging behavior occurs. May assist with general training of staff regarding behavior management.

Participates in monthly clinical/behavioral consultation meetings with residential managers and direct service providers

Develops and implements multi-site crisis management and behavioral management support services including on-site staff support, as well as hands on crisis management assistance if required. May be available by phone when emergencies occur; may assist in person.

Provides support and debriefing to staff and individuals supported following incidents, including conducting post-crisis management services reviews and consultation.

Compiles internal and external reports as required; analyzes data and makes recommendations.

Maintains comprehensive notes and tracking records as required.

Participate in team and agency staff meetings and required in service training sessions. Regularly communicates and meets with Supervisor.

Ensure program records are properly maintained, and reports are prepared and submitted on time, including but not limited to, time and attendance and electronic case records. Enters data into an electronic consumer database each day of work.

Assists in communicating with family members and friends of the individuals supported as appropriate.

Participates in inter-agency meetings for the supported individual and assists with the development of outcomes and goals.

Assists with resident abuse and neglect assessment issues and communicate findings with home manager, compliance, clinical and operations’ leadership. Cooperates regarding investigations and inspections.

Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Adhere to BSLS Core Values, Mission Statement, and Corporate Philosophies.

Performs On-Call as required.

Team Member Expectations:

Must be compliant with company and regulatory policies and procedures.

Preserve and protect the privacy, confidentiality and security of all medical records, proprietary and other confidential information relating to Beacon Specialized Living Services, Inc., its individuals, Team Members, activities and affiliates, in accordance with all applicable laws (especially HIPAA) and contract terms.

Promote Beacon in a positive manner and lead by example, modeling our core values in everyday behavior.

Understand how to approach and communicate with all individuals including those who are cognitively impaired.

Treat Individuals, family members and other team members with dignity and respect while responding to their needs.

Promote trauma informed care at all levels of the organization and help create a culture that is sensitive and responsive to the feelings of our individuals to help our staff overcome and avoid responding negatively to stigmas they will never truly understand.

Apply trauma informed care: recognizing the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledging the role trauma may play in an individual's life including service staff.

Maintain and sustain a safe community environment and workplace.

Follow Beacon's policies, procedures, and manuals.

Cooperates with Beacon Specialized Living, the Department of Human Services (DHS) staff or any other regulatory body during any inspection, investigation or inquiry.

Accept other duties as assigned.

Professional Conduct and Management Effectiveness:

In addition to evaluating your work performance you will be evaluated for the following work behaviors:

Job Knowledge: Depth and breadth of knowledge supporting our organization goals.

Quality of Work: Freedom from errors and mistakes, timeliness. Accuracy, quality of work in general.

Quantity of Work: Work output of the employee.

Reliability: The extent to which the employee can be dependent upon to be available for work, do it properly, and complete it on time. The degree to which the employee is reliable, trustworthy, and persistent.

Initiative and Creativity: The ability to plan work and to go ahead with a task without being told every detail and the ability to make constructive suggestions.

Judgment: The extent to which the employee makes decisions which are sound. Ability to base decisions on fact rather than emotion.

Cooperation: Willingness to work harmoniously with others in getting a job done. Readiness to respond positively to instructions and procedures.

Attendance: Faithfulness in coming to work daily and conforming to scheduled work hours.

Planning and Organizing: The ability to analyze work, set goals, develop plans of action, utilize time, and delegate work as appropriate. Consider the amount of supervision required and the extent to which you can trust employees to carry out assignments conscientiously.

Directing and Controlling: The ability to create a motivating climate, achieve teamwork, train, and develop, measure work in progress, and take corrective action.

Decision Making: The ability to make decisions and the quality and timeliness of those decisions.

Problem Solving: The ability to assess a problem, identify options or solutions, formulate a plan, execute the plan, and achieve and sustain positive outcomes.

Embrace, support, and manage the business in accordance with Beacon’s Mission and Core Values.

Education and Qualifications:

Must be 21 years of age or older.

Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field required, Master’s degree preferred.

Minimum 1-2 years’ experience working with both mentally ill and intellectually disabled adult populations is preferred.

Experience with behavioral observations and interventions with complex, high intense/high frequency behaviors is required.

Skilled in teaching and coaching staff to implement Behavior Support Plans (BSP).

Approved by the state, federal, and local governmental entities to work within BSLS programs.

Maintains own mandatory training and certification requirements.

Required experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Must possess a valid Driver’s License.

Must pass a criminal background check.

Proficient in speaking, reading and writing the English language required.

Skills and Abilities:

Must be able to communicate and function in an interdisciplinary team.

Skilled in teaching and coaching staff to implement Behavior Support Plans (BSP)

Strong computer skills utilizing various software programs and applications.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Ability to create professional employee communication materials.

Works well independently.

Demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to multitask and meet project deadlines.

Capable of working well with all levels of the organization.

A professional demeanor.

Ability to work with little daily supervision.

Work Environment

Most of your job duties will be performed from our corporate office, or in our homes or day programs. You may have potential for exposure to infectious disease and physical and verbally aggressive behaviors. Universal precautions are required to minimize the risk of infections.

Work sites may include locations that are not barrier-free. Duties are performed in an environment where there is a potential for physical aggression from individuals.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Hybrid work environment with corporate office presence and regional travel. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional evenings and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel:

Occasional travel 30-40% or as otherwise determined by the needs of the market to support BSLS locations.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO Statement:

It is the policy of Beacon to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Beacon will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.