Behavior Consultant

Northern Children Services • Philadelphia, PA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

Are you passionate about supporting the healthy development of children, youth, and families for a brighter future? Look no further! At Northern Children’s Services (Northern), every role in the organization contributes to helping us achieve our mission and vision. We believe that every child and youth has the potential to transform themselves – no matter their background or life situation. We work to “walk the talk” when it comes to our organizational values: Excellence, Respect, Resilience, Cultural Humility & Justice, Healing, and Wellness.

A Behavior Consultant (BC) provides intensive therapeutic services to a child in the home, community or school setting. Under the supervision of the Clinical Manager, the Behavior Consultant leads the team to provide clinical direction of services for each child on their caseload, revises and updates the Individual Treatment Plan (ITP), and provides oversight of the provision of the ITP. The BC should consult with adults across settings in that child’s life and create appropriate and reasonable goals.

Northern Children's Services is committed to fostering a therapeutic environment rooted in safety, nonviolence, and resilience. Our policies are guided by trauma-informed principles, ensuring that we create a supportive and healing atmosphere for clients and staff. A trauma-informed approach recognizes that past experiences, including trauma, can significantly impact a person’s behavior, emotions, and interactions. Therefore, we strive to:
Use emotional intelligence : Respond with empathy and awareness, even in difficult situations.
Communicate effectively : Listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and avoid judgmental language.
Understand trauma’s impact : Be aware that clients or colleagues may react based on past experiences, not just the present moment.
Apply person-first, strengths-based language : Focus on people’s strengths and abilities rather than defining them by their challenges (e.g., saying "a person experiencing homelessness" instead of "a homeless person").
By adhering to these principles, we ensure that our workplace is not only effective but also compassionate and inclusive for everyone.

As with all positions at Northern Children's Services, Inc. we recognize the importance of accommodations individuals with disabilities. In that, we are committed to every extent possible accommodating disabled individuals. We recognize the American With Disabilities Act of 1991 and understand the need to reasonably accommodate employees. All accommodation will be evaluated on a case- by case basis, evaluating the essential functions of the positions. Northern Children's Services is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to diversity. Northern Children's Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, class, disability, religion, sexual orientation or national origin.

Requirements

• Master's Degree from an accredited university in a clinical mental health discipline AND completed clinical or MH practicum
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification or behavioral analysis certification
• Graduate degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
• Licensed BSC
• At least one years full-time paid experience in the mental health field.
• Excellent working knowledge of clinical issues relating to children, adolescents and families.
• Familiar with multiple child-serving systems (e.g. education, juvenile justice, child welfare, mental health, drug and alcohol, health care and vocational rehab).
• Ability to walk up and down stairs.
• Ability to lift 20 lbs.
• Ability to operate a computer, printer and calculator.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle or access public transportation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates the overall clinical direction of treatment for the children assigned to caseload, in collaboration with family and other treatment professionals.
• Is a resource to the child, family, treatment team, school and Behavior Health Technicians in crisis and problem situations to develop a crisis plan and resolution.
• Conducts meetings to plan anticipated clinical needs of consumer.
• Develops treatment plan based on psychiatric evaluation, per agency and regulatory standards.
• Completes functional behavioral assessments for clients.
• Ensures that treatment goals, objectives and interventions are appropriate and fit the particular needs of the child and family.
• Monitors consumer progress on treatment goals and reports this information through treatment plan updates at least every 180 days.
• Updates treatment plan and crisis plan when significant incidents occur (e.g. Hospitalizations, call to Mobile Crisis, suicidal ideation/threats, etc.).
• Conducts classroom observations for assigned students.
• Provides child-centered, strengths-based individual psychotherapy weekly.
• Provides all services that are authorized by the funding source.
• Provides billable case management in the form of family and school contact to provide updates on treatment, attendance at meetings, phone calls, etc.
• Maintains regular weekly contact with family, school and other agencies as identified (up to 1 hour per month) regarding client progress on the treatment plan.
• Clearly and effectively communicates program goals and directives to staff, families, school district personnel, agency staff and other providers of service.
• Attends treatment team meetings, IEP meetings and ITM meetings.
• Documents all therapy sessions, case management activities, attendance at meetings, incidents, etc. within 72 hours of service provision per agency policy and procedure.
• Creates treatment plan based on functional behavioral assessment and regulatory standards.
• Documents all billable services, including all case management and collaboration activities.
• Completes incident reports within 24 hours when significant events occur.
• Collaborates with schools, families, funding source representatives and internal/external resources as appropriate.
• Collaborates with treatment team, including Care Coordinator, to refer families to appropriate services to meet needs identified from Social Determinants Scale.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees.
• $20,000 life insurance policy through Mutual of Omaha Company at no cost.
• Mutual of Omaha LTD coverage and AD&D insurance.
• Range of self-funded insurance plans, including accident insurance, cancer insurance, life insurance, critical illness coverage, and short-term disability insurance.
• 401(k)-savings plan with a generous matching contribution after one year of employment.
• Generous paid time off or sick leave.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential referral and counseling services.
• Self-funded legal services provide valuable support and resources for various legal matters.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level