BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST

Job Description

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Behavior Specialist

JOB LOCATION: Pittsburgh, Westmoreland, Washington county areas

The Behavior Specialist provides clinically oriented behavior support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or mental health diagnosis. The Behavior Specialist will work closely with our clinical, programmatic, residential and day support staff to develop holistic behavioral treatment plans that consider thoughts, feelings and behaviors of our participants within an interpersonal and systematic context. The Behavior Specialist will promote the wellbeing of the human aspect of this organization and administer the principles of short and long-range planning to anticipate and avoid issues. This systemic approach requires participation on a multidisciplinary team and the training of staff, families and caretakers.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB AND ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS:

• Complete evaluation / detailed assessment of needs for individuals needing a Behavioral Support Plan (BSP) or a Restrictive Procedure Plan (RPP)
• Collect and evaluate behavioral data
• Observe individual in various settings for the purpose of developing a BSP/RPP
• Collaborate with the individual, their family, and their team for the purpose of developing a BSP/RPP
• Conducting comprehensive functional assessments of presenting issues (e.g., aggression, self-injurious behavior, law offending behavior, elopement etc.)
• Partner with the individual, their family, and their team in order to develop positive interventions to address specific presenting issues
• Develop individualized BSP/RPP
• Ensure that all support plans are Person Driven, integrate Practice Based Evidence and reflect the core clinical needs of the individual
• Train and mentor support/program staff, families and team members on the individual’s behavior support plan and the in-dividual preference for supports
• Implement activities and strategies identified in the individual’s BSP/RPP
• Monitor implementation of BSP/RPP
• Collect, organize, review, and analyze data on challenging strategies
• Maintain and update individuals’ behavioral data tracking tools/create progress documentation utilizing excel and convey trends, progress, success or the need to change approaches
• Review and revise BSP/RPP annually for each individual at Individual Support Plan (ISP) Annual Review or whenever a Critical Revision (CR) is requested by the individual’s supports team
• Collect BSP/RPP signatures electronically through DocuSign
• Partner with interdisciplinary teams to schedule and facilitate annual training on BSP/RPP
• Attend (as required / virtually) psychiatric, medical, and therapy appointments as needed for consumers
• Participate as needed in Interdisciplinary Team and Quarterly ISP meetings
• Ensure /Protect all individual’s human rights
• Participate in ongoing Human Rights Team (HRT) Reviews
• Complete the individual(s) HRT Summary and necessary supporting documentation
• Participate in various County Human Rights Committee (HRC) Reviews
• Complete the necessary supporting documentation and coordinate with Regional Director that all necessary documentation is complete/accurate
• Participate in various County Positive Practices Review Committee (PPRC) upon request
• Collects feedback on the individual and team members’ experiences of the supports and services provided
• Complete accurately documentation of billable/non-billable time in SETWorks, Progress Notes (PN) and Monthly Progress Review Summary Notes (MPRSN) daily/weekly/monthly for every individual on BSS caseload
• Submit required monthly oversight information to supervisors
• Participate in necessary supervision/mentoring meeting with supervisor
• Review ISP Caseload Tool monthly for accuracy
• Review Authorization Spreadsheets and update the team on any changes in need
• Timely submit proper, complete and accurate required documentation/ paperwork as required by State and Federal Regulations, PDCS, and HIPAA
• Complete PDCS Annual Training requirements
• Follow up on correspondence/mailings/filing as needed

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, Counseling or other health related fields. Will consider candidates with a Bachelors degree who are completing their Master's Degree or candidates with a Bachelors degree and relevant experience.
• Minimum 2 years of experience working with MH/IDD consumers
• Valid Driver's License

Preferred Experience Qualification Requirements:

• Two (2) to Five (5) years behavioral support services experience
• Knowledge and experience with: Positive Approaches, Dual Diagnosis, Person Centered Thinking, Trauma Informed Care, group facilitation and staff mentoring a plus
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent writing, documentation, and record keeping skills; particular emphasis on Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA) and written behavioral/treatment plans
• Excellent organizational skills and detail oriented

Excellent Perks and Benefits

• Competitive salary $55,000-65,000/year
• Paid Training & Career Advancement
• A Great Team Environment
• DailyPay – A benefit that allows you to access your pay when you need it
• Great medical and wellness plans

About APIS

Apis Services, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Inperium, Inc.) provides a progressive platform for delivering Shared Services to Inperium and its Constellation of affiliate companies. Allowing these entities to advance their mission and vision. By exploring geographical program expansion and focusing on quality outcome measures to create cost savings that result in reinvestment into the organizations stakeholders through capacity creation and employee compensation betterment. Apis Services, Inc. and affiliate’s provide equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment in compliance with all federal and all applicable state and local laws and regulations, including nondiscrimination in hiring and employment. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy/childbirth, veteran status or any other basis protected by law. This policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunities extends to every phase and aspect of hiring and employment.