Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS)

Behavior Intervention Specialist

Under the supervision of the Vice President of Behavior Support and Psychology Services, the Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) is responsible for the development, delivery, and evaluation of all behavior support services for the people they support. This includes, but is not limited to: psychological evaluations, functional assessment, behavior support programs and strategies, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, case reviews and other interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, training and consultation with other team members. The BIS will work in collaboration with the Person 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).

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze baseline data on target maladaptive behavior to establish current frequency, duration and existing contingencies.
• Analyze potential existing functions of maladaptive behavior (including any current, unplanned and planned contingencies) utilizing baseline procedures and formulating a written Functional Behavioral Assessment.
• Recognize 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 Person receiving services, and team members, including direct support staff.
• Develop, implement, and assist in the training of team members in the implementation of formal Behavior Modification Programs (e.g. Behavior Support Plan, Behavior Support Staff Action, Behavior Support Symptom Management Plan, Behavior Support Desensitization Plan, etc.).
• Monitor individuals' progress on, 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.
• Instruct 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.
• Provide regular and as needed consultation regarding issues such as crisis intervention, behavior modification programs, diagnostics, and teaching/training programs for the individuals.
• Assist with the preparation and presentation all required paperwork for Human Rights Committee meetings and other committee meetings, as needed.
• Assist with obtaining informed consent from individuals/families for the use of restrictive behavior support plans and psychotropic medications, as needed.
• Facilitate completion of applicable Informed Consent evaluations.
• Provide written and verbal reports to individuals' psychiatrists and other consultant clinicians to assist in accurate diagnosis and treatment.
• Assist with facilitation of identified necessary clinical services that can address areas such as human sexuality, social skills, stress management, anger control etc.
• Provide crisis support, as indicated, to assist individuals in coping with various psychological stressors.
• Candidates that qualify and receive the licensure enhancement are expected to provide licensure supervision to other team members.

Education, Work Experience, and Competencies

To meet the criteria to function as a Behavior Intervention Specialist, the employee must meet the qualifications as follows:

• Master's degree in behavior analysis; or a field closely related to clinical or community psychology which is approved by OPWDD.
• OR:
• The party must have either: Master's degree in a clinical or treatment field in psychology, mental health counseling, social work, school psychology, applied psychology as it relates to human development and clinical intervention, or a related human services field; or New York State license in Mental Health Counseling or Social Work AND have or obtain OPWDD-approved specialized training or experience in functional assessment techniques and behavior support plan development.
• Licensure preferred

*The qualifying Master's degrees referenced above including any degree obtained through an online educational or distance learning program, must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university, or one recognized by the NYS Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. If the Master's degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, the party must provide independent verification of equivalency from one of the approved entities used by the NYS Department of Civil Service for educational equivalency reviews.

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