James L. Maher Center - Behavioral Specialist Team Leader

Behavioral Specialists Team Leader (BSTL) provides short time, intensive, behavioral interventions and replacement skill-building strategies for our participants. The BSTL will provide social-emotional-behavioral supports within the context of the participant’s overall ISP addressing specific behaviors and offering immediate reinforcement. Specific services include, but are not limited to, cognitive behavioral approaches, structured activities and implementing de-escalation strategies along with positive behavioral supports, TIC, behavior modification and behavioral analysis and functional analysis training.

Training

· Completes and maintains all required State mandated trainings such as, Universal Precautions, Medication Administration with a competency assessment test ,CPR / First Aid, Signs & Symptoms of Illness & Injury and Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH) CORE trainings within 90 days of employment;

· Attends meetings and training sessions as required by BHDDH and JLMC;

· Completes annual trainings related to Participants’ IP, BP and related plans;

·Completes all additional required trainings specific to applicable title. Including but not limited to: Behavioral Specialist Certification course through RELIAS and on-going Behavioral Specialist professional development courses.

Daily Programing

· Provide therapeutic behavioral supports to participants to assist with their individual needs, including interventions, treatment options and restoration of daily living skills and crisis prevention services

Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with support staff, psychologists, and administrators in structured problem solving and coordination of programs

· Provides transportation to and from activities;

· Assists in the implementation of individual plans for individuals and behavioral plan goals;

· Assists individuals in the pursuit of recreational, social and community activities based on their preferences and individual plans;

· Assists and encourages individuals in the establishment of social networks;

· Promotes participation and involvement in community outings;

· Provide modeling and coaching around implemented behavioral programming.

· Assist staff in collecting behavioral data.

· Maintain on-going communication with the Maher Psychology Department.

· Manage behavioral crisis situations, model interventions, provide staff training and guidance in crisis situations

· Assists direct support professionals in problem solving and in helping to identify resources available to build decision-making skills with a solution oriented approach.

· Reviews pertinent documentation, such as sign-in sheets, log books and telephone messages; provide appropriate feedback to the Manager.

· Assists in daily to do list and coordinates community and center based activities.

· Residential Supervisors may complete interagency forms and attend medical appointments.

· Provides training to new staff and documents accordingly; informs the Manager of progress and/or additional training needs.

· Assists Direct Support Professional in filling relief hours; be on call to assist the Manager in problem solving.

· Participates in the implementation, oversight and maintenance of all accountably and documentation systems.

· Works with management team regarding training and ongoing development of leadership skills.

· The DSP Team Leader relays information from the Manager to the direct support professional staff.

·The DSP Team Leader will also inform the Manager and Support Coordinator of any feedback from staff to maximize communication in order to effectively and efficiently address any issues that may arise.

· Works all assigned schedules, including but not limited to: arriving and departing on time,

requesting time off in advance, and notifying your Manager of changes to your assigned work schedule;

· Ensures each individuals’ rights are protected;

· Treats individuals with dignity and respect;

Activities of Daily Living

·Administers medications to individuals as assigned;

·Observes individuals for any changes in behavior or health that may have resulted from

medication administration;

·Ensures individuals are dressed neatly and appropriately and are groomed at all times;

·Assists and encourages individuals to care for immediate personal needs such as toileting,

washing their hands, and eating;

·Prepares nutritional meals based on individual needs and preferences;

·Encourage individuals to assist in the preparation of meals and snacks as appropriate to their individual plan and behavior plan;

·Keeps residence – both interior and exterior – and resident personal space clean, organized, and tidy and encourage them to participation in home beautification and upkeep as appropriate according to their individual plans;

·Teaches individuals daily skills such as household chores, laundry, cleaning, and washing dishes, as appropriate according to their individual plan;

Communication

· Observes individuals for evidence of injury or bruises and evaluates for changes in emotional and physical status;

· Reports any noted problems to the Direct Support Manager immediately and complete a written incident report form;

· Reports all medical related incidents to the Direct Support Manager and the delegating nurse;

· Acts as a representative for James L. Maher Center in a professional manner when required, to families, service coordinators, State officials, community partners, local businesses, and employers;

· Represents James L. Maher Center in a professional manner to families, service coordinators, State officials, and community partners when required;

· Maintains resident confidentiality;

· Communicates with Residential Director when items related to individuals personal needs and personal space needs to be purchased;

Teamwork

· Assists the Day and Residential Coordinators in the preparation for the annual Individual

Planning Meeting;

· Treats all individuals and coworkers and with dignity, respect, and fairness;

· Provides support to other team members when individuals are having behavioral issues;

Documentation

· Documents all program data, including but not limited to: individual plan data, behavior plan data, assessments, individual funds requests, maintenance requests forms, and supply acquisition forms;

· Documents individuals health (i.e. seizure charts, weight, bowel movements, fluid intake.);

· Ensures that all documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner;

· Ensures Medication Administration Record entries are completed daily;

· Completes communication log books during shift;

· Clocks in and out before and after every shift and submits Leave Request forms when applicable;

Safety

· Assists individuals when entering and exiting vehicles while on community outings, as well as entering and exiting the building safely;

· Supervises meal times based on individual needs, especially those identified as a risk for choking;

· Observes appropriate staffing ratios as directed by the IP;

· Reports unsafe conditions, environment, and equipment to the Residential Director

· Follows safety protocols to foster a safe working environment;