Behavioral Support Specialist

Position Overview

Everyone deserves a home where they are valued, cared for, and support to live their most independent and fulfilling lives. All Macdonald Residence residents have complex needs and often a history of behavioral health challenges, addictions, and houselessness. As the Behavior Support Specialist, you will not only be working as part of a cohesive and interdisciplinary resident care team, but you will also be supporting the facility in its ongoing endeavor to deliver comprehensive, holistic health care. The Behavioral Support Specialist, in coordination with the Director of Behavioral Services, will provide individual support for residents as well as create and support programs within the Macdonald Residence community which promotes overall resident wellbeing. As part of the Behavioral Health Team, this role will coordinate with the Nursing, Direct Care, Resident Services, Life Enrichment, and other staff members to ensure that behavioral health needs are identified, and behavioral health plans are effectively implemented. The Behavioral Support Specialist will also coordinate services and information with external behavioral providers and resources. This is a Full-time, 100% on-site, Sunday through Thursday- Swing schedule position.
Essential Job Functions

The information provided below encompasses the functions and capabilities linked with this position.
Duties and Responsibilities

The individual in this position is expected to engage in the following work-related activities.

• Work as a member of the Macdonald Resident multi-disciplinary team to deliver comprehensive, client centered, and trauma-informed services.
• Coordinate with the Behavioral Health, Resident Services, and Nursing departments to identify, create, and support the implementation of Behavior Support Plans for residents (examples of challenging behaviors addressed in such plans may include those related to substance use, anger towards staff or residents, depression, delusions, dementia/memory loss, anxiety, etc.).
• Create Temporary Service Plans for behavioral plans.
• Provide verbal de-escalation to residents experiencing extreme states.
• Facilitate behavioral health groups either on-site or in coordination with community agencies.
• Complete Incident Reports and follow-up in coordination with the Behavioral Health Team, nursing department and the facility administrator.
• Updates Service Plans for quarterly care conferences.
• Play an integral part in resident admissions by completing resident evaluations, creating Behavior Support Plans, updating Service Plans, and gathering and reviewing historical documentation.
• Facilitate staff training on behavioral health and related topics in coordination with the Director of Behavior Services.
• Create weekly reports analyzing incident trends and complete daily Incident Report follow-up.
• Assist residents in maintaining housing, which may include cleaning and organizing resident apartments.
• Accompany residents to appointments in the community.
• Organize and facilitate educational, skill building, wellness, recovery, and trainings for residents.
• Complete continuing education to provide excellent care and meet state requirements.
• Observe problems, concerns, and issues, in the facility and communicate / report to the appropriate departments.
• Observe all work, safety, and administrative rules.
• Adhere to all established policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to procedures for fire, life safety, disaster, security, work, safety and other emergency procedures.
• Contributes to a strong, cohesive team environment.
• Maintains a safe and secure working environment.
• Assist with and perform other projects and related duties as assigned.

Skill Profile

The individual in this position is expected to possess and exhibit the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Ability to organize and utilize time appropriately and accomplish assigned tasks.
• Ability and willingness to wear many hats during the workday; ready to tackle a variety of different tasks and pitch in where needed.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently as the sole Behavioral Health staff on-site.
• Strong ability to provide crisis de-escalation.
• Ability to protect privacy and confidentiality of information pertaining to the resident, employee, residence, and organization.
• Familiarity with community support systems, health care and human service resources, court, and police activities.
• Excellent organizational skills and administrative abilities.
• Demonstrates initiative and accountability in completing assigned tasks.
• Capability to be objective and treat staff and residents in a fair and equitable manner.
• Strong ability to maintain professional boundaries and ethics.
• Ability to solve practical problems and interpret a variety of instructions (written, oral, diagrams, schedules).

Job Qualifications

The following qualifications are required to perform the essential functions of this position.

• High School Diploma or equivalent with minimum of three (3) years related experience and/or training.
• CADC 1 or higher or QMHA certifications are helpful, but not required.
• Strong ability to maintain thorough and timely documentation in Electronic Medical Records.
• Can interact in a professional manner with residents, external stakeholders, and co-workers. Display willingness to assist co-workers. Support a dignified and caring atmosphere for residents, residents' families, visitors, and staff.
• Knowledgeable in the development and use of service plans, resident rights, and behavioral management documentation practices.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to read, interpret, and follow instructions (e.g., safety rules, manuals), write reports, and effectively communicate with others.
• Ability to work closely with nursing staff and the facility administrator on addressing behavior health concerns.
• Effectively communicate to stakeholders as directed while maintaining a high level of confidentiality due to the information being communicated.

Physical Requirements

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions listed above.

• Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
• Regularly required to communicate effectively by speaking and hearing.
• Frequently required to sit and reach with hands are arms for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• May be required to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• The environment is characteristic of a facility in which healthcare is provided to the frail elderly and individuals requiring additional assistance due to special needs. The noise level is usually moderate.

Benefits/perks

• Health insurance (paying 100% of the employee's health premiums, and offering dependent coverage options)
• Employer Paid Life and Disability Insurance
• 401(k) option which is available upon 60 days of service and matches employee contribution $1/$1 up to 4%
• Monthly Tri-Met or parking pass
• Generous PTO policy
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account
• Meal provided while on site during work shift.

Compensation and Schedule

Starting Wage Range - $24.00 - $28.00/ Hour

Shift: 2:00pm to 10:30pm (Swing) Sunday through Thursday
About Maybelle Center

Belonging is a basic human need. However, many of us face barriers that keep us from experiencing deep connection with others. Maybelle Center partners with neighbors in downtown Portland to build connection and a sense of belonging through affordable housing and inclusive social events and activities so more of us can experience a healthy, connected life and contribute to a thriving Portland. You can find out how we build belonging on our website:


The talented and devoted individuals who work at Maybelle Center bring a passion and commitment to our community every single day - in a sometimes challenging, but always rewarding, environment. We are guided by our core values: 1.) Every person has innate value and is important; 2.) It is a fundamental need to be socially connected with other humans; 3.) We all have something to offer and places where we can learn and grow - we are continually learning together.

A Note to Potential Candidates: Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary, BIPOC, and other candidates from most-impacted communities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that is welcome. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you feel you do not meet every one of the qualifications described. Maybelle Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic.


We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer .

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to View email address on click.appcast.io

Requires passing pre-employment background check.