DSP- GAP

Position Summary:

Behavioral Specialist (BS) provides short-time, intensive, behavioral interventions and replacement skill-building strategies for our participants. The BS will provide social, emotional, and behavioral support within the context of the participant’s overall ISP addressing specific behaviors and offering immediate reinforcement. Specific services include but are not limited to cognitive behavioral approaches, structured activities, and implementing de-escalation strategies along with positive behavioral supports, TIC, behavior modification and behavioral analysis, and functional analysis training.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Training

• Completes and maintains all required State mandated training such as Universal Precautions, Medical Administration with a competency assessment test, CPR/First Aid, Signs/Symptoms of Illness & Injury and Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH) CORE training within 90 days of employment.
• CPI/NPI preferred or the ability to complete these trainings within 90 days of hiring
• Attend meetings and training sessions as required by AccessPoint RI.
• Completes annual training related to participant's ISP, Behavior, and related plans.
• Completes all additional required training specific to the applicable title. Including but not limited to the Behavior Specialist Certification course through RELIAS and ongoing Behavior Specialist professional development courses.

Daily Programming

• Provide therapeutic behavioral supports to participants to assist with their individual needs that include interventions, treatment options, and restoration of daily living skills and crisis prevention services
• Providing and maintaining daily schedules
• Collaborating to create resources that provide structure to clients
• Tracks data related to individual goals and activities
• Collaborates with supervisor and clinicians to problem solve outstanding issues with reaching goals
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with support staff, clinicians, and administrators in structured problem-solving and coordination of programs
• Provides transportation to and from activities
• Assists in the implementation of individual plans for individuals and behavioral plan goals
• Assisting individuals in the pursuit of recreational, social, and community activities based on their preferences and individual plans
• Assist and encourage individuals in the establishment of social networks
• Promotes participation and involvement but not limited to arriving and departing on time, requesting time off in advance and notifying your supervisor of changes to your assigned work schedule
• Ensuring individual’s right are protected
• Treat every individual with dignity and respect

Activities of Daily Living

• Administers medications to individuals as assigned
• Observes individuals for any changes in behavior or health that may have resulted from medication administration
• Ensures individuals are dressed neatly and appropriately and are groomed at all times
• Assist and encourage individuals to care for immediate personal needs such as toileting, washing their hands, and eating
• Prepares nutritional meals based on individual needs and preferences
• Encourages individuals to assist in the preparation of meals and snacks as appropriate to their individual plan and behavior plan
• Ensure residence personal space is clean, organized, and tidy and encourage them to participate in home upkeep as appropriate according to their individual plans
• Teaches individuals daily skills such as household chores, laundry, cleaning, and washing dishes as appropriate according to their individual plan

Communicate

• Observes individuals for evidence of injury or bruises and evaluate for changes in emotional and physical status
• Reports any noted problems to the Direct Support Manager or Supervisor and the delegating nurse
• Act as a representative for AccessPoint RI in a professional manner when required to families, service coordinators, community partners, local businesses, and employers
• Represents AccessPoint RI in a professional manner to families, service coordinators and community partners when required
• Maintains resident confidentiality
• Communicates with Residential Director when items related to individuals’ personal needs and personal space needs to be purchased

Teamwork

• Assist the Day and Residential Coordinators in preparation for the annual individual planning meeting
• Treats all individuals and coworkers with dignity, respect, and fairness
• Provides support to other team members when individuals are having behavior issues

Documentation

• Documents all program data that includes activity reports, individual plan data, behavior plan data, and assessments
• Ensures that all documentation is completed accurately and promptly
• Ensures Medication Administration Record entries are completed daily
• Completes communication log book during shifts
• Enters case notes into Therap or electronic case record
• Clocks in and out before and after every shift and submits Leave Request forms when applicable

Safety

• Assists individuals when entering and exiting vehicles while on community outings as well as entering and exiting the building safely
• Supervises meal times based on individual needs, especially those identified as a risk for choking
• Report unsafe conditions, environments, and equipment to the Program Director
• Follows safety protocols to foster a safe working environment

Perform all other duties assigned

Job Requirements:

• Must have a valid Driver License
• Ability to drive company vehicles
• Ability to lift, push, and pull 100 pounds
• Ability to work on holidays and during inclement weather
• Can pass a National Criminal Background Check
• Must have a High School Diploma or GED
• Associate Degree preferred
• Two or more years of related experience and training in a residential, school, or community-based setting