Behavior Support Assistant

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Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Provides in-home services that accommodate families' schedules and needs including assessment, observation, training/education and monitoring for people we support (PWS) with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in times of crisis or as requested to address specific behavioral concerns.
• Conducts behavioral and habilitative assessments via formal means (written questionnaires, rating scales, baseline data, etc. home and school observation) and through informal observations, under supervision of a clinical supervisor.
• Participates in the development of written, individualized habilitative plans in accordance with the agency philosophy, as determined by individual need.
• Provides in-home intervention, supportive behavioral counseling and training to families who are experiencing specific behavior problems that impact the family’s routine or ability to function.
• Provides short term in-home training designed to address specific behaviors and enhance family coping and parental skills and supports families through the entire intervention.
• Coordinates intervention and observations with other service providers (school, therapies, ACS, etc.) and assesses progress/supports in other settings related to behavior intervention plans.
• Provides direct care services as needed including assistance with personal care/Activities of Daily Living (ADL)s including toileting, grooming, laundry and housekeeping, etc., medical, dietary, social, sexual, recreational, financial, habilitative and other needs within the program.
• Coaches and trains caregivers and PwS in a variety of areas, including but not limited to:  
  • Using progressive teaching to ensure that all clinical interventions are properly implemented
  • Communicating clinical rationales
  • Providing both formal and informal feedback
  • Role modeling use of person-centered philosophy and use of person-centered tools
  • Implementing of habilitative and behavioral programming
  • Appropriate data collection techniques
  • ADLs and other skills, as needed
• Monitors the data collection, ensure that the data is totaled from multiple sources and summarized on a weekly basis, to analyze the data for effective use, to compare the data to assess for progress or significant changes, and that new data sheets are accessible at the beginning of each month
• Oversees/maintains the completion of all required paperwork, including daily and monthly progress reports, Person-Centered materials, Intakes, Phase summaries, Quarterly and Fiscal Year Summaries, and ensures that all pertinent information is included on anecdotals.
• Provides the appropriate therapeutically documented level (or maximum level, where unclear/unknown) of an individual’s supervision or safety plan to ensure and protect the individual’s health/safety and well-being.
• Meets for regular supervision with supervisors to discuss case updates and receive recommendations
• Participates in Team Rounds and leads discussions around assigned casework
• Creates occurrences and incident reports as needed and follows up with supervisor’s recommendations.
• Performs all other duties, as assigned

Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g. lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)

• Minimum requirements of specific positions may vary by state of employment and/or contract. Please refer to applicable regulations/contracts for all position requirements.

All Behavior Support Assistants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• BA/BS Degree in Psychology of Human Services or closely related field; and
• At least one (1) year of experience working with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and/or behavioral challenges or experience in counseling and/or assessment; and
• Valid Driver’s License may be required, based on position/location
• Exceptional interpersonal, problem solving, communication, and time management skills
• Willing to take initiative and assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) as needed
• Highly flexible and able to work varied work schedule including evenings, as needed
• Experience in computer skills (Excel, graphing, Word, other systems) and ability to teach others
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills
• Must demonstrate assertiveness/leadership skills
• Routinely travel to various locations across NYC
• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position, including frequent walking; using hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms; having the physical capacity to work with and implement emergency interventions as per the person’s Individual Behavior Support Plan and Individual Emergency Intervention Plan., if/as needed.

Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above)

• Verbal and/or written fluency in a second language preferred, Spanish highly preferred. Spanish-language is required for certain contracts

Compensation: $23.60 hourly

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To ensure fairness, safeguard transparency, and promote an equitable workforce environment, YAI Network prohibits the practice of nepotism in the workforce and hiring process.