Behavior Specialist

Our Mission and Values:

The mission of United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia is to positively support and impact the achievement of a “Life Without Limits for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. UCP of GA’s vision is to create a community in which every person, regardless of ability, can participate as an equal citizen. To realize this vision, UCP of GA offers supports designed to help people maximize their potential and achieve independent, productive, and rewarding lives.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Behavior Specialist provides positive behavior support (through plan development and program monitoring) to individuals supported by the agency in residential and day services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assesses individuals served who exhibit maladaptive behaviors when referred by the program manager staff or others by reviewing files, meeting with staff, conducting onsite observations of individuals

• Performs a functional analysis on individuals served exhibiting maladaptive behaviors which includes, but is not limited to review of file, observation of the individual in day and residential settings (as applicable) and formal assessment via the use of the QABF or FAST assessment questionnaire.

• Communicates with Regional Director and interdisciplinary team members to develop a positive behavior support program that is individual specific. Develops individualized positive behavior support programs for all individuals who need them.

• Trains staff and monitors implementation of Positive Behavior Support and/or Crisis Safety Plans.

• Assesses the effectiveness of the positive behavior support programs and makes changes, as needed.

• Provides individual and/or group educational sessions for individuals served and their families to improve social skills, communication skills, or coping skills, as needed.

• Documents all interactions relevant to support provided to the individuals served, including, but not limited to, reported changes in behavior, observations conducted, communication between interdisciplinary team members regarding the individual served, behavior/crisis safety plan development and updates.

• Documents monthly assessment of the behavior support progress for each of the individuals served, which includes a summary of noted progress, recommendations made, data analysis and graphed behavior data.

• Documents training completed with staff on behavior support and/or crisis safety plans.

• Maintains an itinerary in Microsoft Outlook.

• Develops competency-based training curriculum specific to the individual’s behavior support/crisis safety plan.

• Trains all staff who work with the respective individual served on their positive behavior support programs.

• Maintains records of staff training.

• Teaches Non-violent Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI curriculum) to staff in need of training.

• Conducts regular competency checks to assess the fidelity of behavior support/crisis safety plan implementation.

• Responds to all calls from staff requesting assistance with a behavior and/or behavior-related crisis.

• Provides assistance in de-escalating behaviors (can be on-site or via phone).

• Makes at least 1 monthly contact visit with individuals served on the assigned caseload. Frequency of visits may increase if behaviors presented are more challenging and the individual requires more support.

• Attends monthly interdisciplinary team meetings.

• Attends CABS meetings for all individuals on the assigned caseload.

• Attends in-services and training in the residential and/or day program settings as requested/ necessary.

• Attends supervisory meetings with the Chief Clinical Officer and Behavior Support Team as scheduled.

• Attends appointments or coordinates care via phone with psychiatrist or other outpatient providers as appropriate for individuals served with behavior support programs.

• Visits individuals served while hospitalized due to behavioral incidents when schedules permit.

• Coordinates care with hospital personnel if a visit is not feasible, and documents all visits/contact, pertinent information obtained and communication with all team members.

• Provides staff with relevant information needed to present to outpatient providers when behavior concerns arise.

• Adhere to all agency policies and procedures.

• Develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with individuals, families, co-workers, and community members.

• Maintain objectivity in position to set appropriate limits, while working with individuals and team members.

• Maintain respect for cultural, ethnic, spiritual, and individual differences.

• Travel to various program sites and external locations for meetings and other events.

• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in Behavioral Science

• 2-3 years’ experience in designing, training, and implementation of behavior programs for individuals with I/DD.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.

• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.

• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.

General information:

• All requirements of this position are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the associate occupying this position. Associates will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

• Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities. To perform this job successfully, the associate will possess abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

• This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise; United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia is an at-will employer.