Behavior Intervention Specialist

POSITION TITLE:       Behavior Intervention Specialist

DEPARTMENT:          Recuperative Care

REPORTS TO:            Director of Mental Health Crisis Services

LOCATION:               PICO UNION, GLENDALE, CA

CLASSIFICATION:     Non-Exempt

HOURLY SALARY: $23.00 - $25.00

Behavior Intervention Specialist

Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) utilize a behavior analysis method to help provide behavioral improvement for recuperative care guests and others with developmental and behavioral challenges. By observing and responding to different behaviors, Behavior Intervention Specialists provide guidance to recuperative care guests with the intention of helping to alter behavioral challenges in an observable way. The end goal for Behavior Intervention Specialists is to help guests make changes in behavior that allow them to more easily manage social interactions and situations.

Responsibilities and Initiatives

To help NHF meet its growth goals, Behavior Intervention Specialist will:

• Study guest behavior and apply ABA principles.
• Collaborate with Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and Director of Recuperative Care to create a robust behavior support plan.
• Respond appropriately to different situations common among guests experiencing homelessness and others with behavioral and developmental challenges.
• Utilize key communication skills to provide effective feedback to recuperative care guests.
• Effectively communicate positive feedback to recuperative care guests.
• Complete written individual behavior support plans (IBSP), collecting data completed by GSAs and conducting functional assessments.
• Review, document and review progress through staff communication and charting.
• Collaborate with members of the crisis mobile team to incorporate behavior treatment plan into the recuperative care guest lives.
• Communicate with family, guest services associates, GSAs and team members to ensure they are aware of how to assist guest when needed.
• Train both staff and guest in implementing behavior treatment plan during the recuperative care guest stay and post-transition.
• Be able to recognize and respond to critical improvements in guest behaviors.
• Become familiar with and use behavioral redirection techniques.
• Know how to respond to negative behaviors appropriately and professionally.
• Provide written documentation on each recuperative care guest.
• Consult with external psychiatrist, medical team and guest to assist with psychological medication regimen for maintenance and stability.
• On call availability to attend crisis with mobile team at schedule and varied program sites as well as in home care (post-transition).
• Complete additional duties and assignments as required to meet the needs of the facility, notwithstanding primary roles.
• Always follow NHF policies and procedures.

• Proven and relevant experience working with older adults or those with diverse abilities and maladaptive behaviors required.
• Minimum of 6 months of relevant experience working with individuals; may include internships, volunteer work, or employment in related fields.
• Preferred bachelor’s degree in advanced behavioral Analysis (ABA).

• High School Diploma or GED (minimum).

• Preferred Registered Behavior Technician certificate from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
• Strong communication skills required.
• Ability to work under high stress situations.
• Exhibits significant reliable habits, including timeliness and organizational skills.
• Clinical expertise in crisis intervention, skill in working with the mental health/ill population, and with individuals undergoing acute episodes of psychiatric distress; skill in diagnosis and assessment.
• Ability to work as part of a comprehensive community mental health team and to represent the agency in the community.
• Familiarity with community support systems, health care and human service resources, court, and police activities, etc.
• Good organizational skills and administrative abilities.
• Flexibility in days and hours available for scheduled work including weekends.
• Knowledge of and the ability to adhere to a professional code of ethics.
• Knowledge of and the ability to comply with the state’s mental health code.

Physical Requirements

The duties as described will required frequent standing and walking, as well as extended sitting. The employee will frequently bend/stoop, squat, reach above the shoulders, twist, and turn, kneel, and push/pull. The employee will frequently be required to lift/pull/push/move up to 50 pounds. Must utilize conversational speech for effective verbal communication. Noise level is high in some guest care areas.  Must be able to hear equipment alarms, overhead pages, and direct verbal communication.

PROGRAMS

National Health Foundation is addressing the social determinants of health using several research-proven strategies. We are targeting Food Access, with an emphasis on increasing the availability of health and fresh foods in under-resourced communities, Housing, with a focus on providing shelter and care for individuals who have been released from the hospital, the Built Environment, prioritizing the removal of the barriers to health in the communities we serve, and Education, with a focus on risk prevention and support for pregnant and parenting teens to complete their education. For further details on the programs, please visit our site at: http://nationalhealthfoundation.org.