Behavior Support Specialist

POSITION TITLE:              Behavior Support Specialist

DEPARTMENT:                 Recuperative Care

REPORTS TO:                   Social Services Manager

LOCATION:                      Ventura, CA

CLASSIFICATION:            Non-Exempt

HOURLY SALARY:           $23.00 - $25.00

• All positions require candidates to successfully pass a background check, LIVE scan and TB Test
• This position is to be filled as soon as possible

Behavior Support Specialist

Behavior Support Specialist (BSS) utilizes 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 Specialists provide guidance and may intervene to recuperative care guests with the intention of helping to alter behavioral challenges in an observable way. The end goal for Behavior Support 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 Support Specialist will:

• Study guest behavior and apply ABA principles.
• Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and Director of Recuperative Care to create a robust behavior support plan when needed.
• 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.
• Review and document guest progress through staff communication, charting and completing required reporting.
• Collaborate with guests’ medical provider team to incorporate behavior treatment plan into the recuperative care guest lives.
• Communicate with family, GSAs, nursing, social services and other team members and partners to ensure they are aware of how to assist guests 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 as well as crisis intervention.
• 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 involved in an incident.
• Participate, advocate and support guests and staff during VCBH meetings and appointments, as needed.
• Consult with external psychiatrist, medical team and guests to assist with psychological medication regimen for maintenance and stability.
• On call availability to attend and address crisis onsite.
• Complete additional duties and assignments as required to meet the needs of the facility, notwithstanding primary roles.
• Provide support, staff training, learning sessions and debriefing on how to handle difficult guests, de-escalation, and grief management.
• 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 1 year 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) or related field.

• 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 and mentally 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 organization 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 described will require 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.

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.