Behavior Specialist

St. Joseph's Villa•Richmond, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

St. Joseph's Villa is currently recruiting Behavior Specialist to join our Crisis Service team. Under the direction and guidance of the Program Manager-Operations for Crisis Services or designee, The Behavior Specialist works with children ages 5 – 17 in Crisis Services programs at St Joseph’s Villa. Crisis Services includes both the Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) and the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU). Specific responsibilities include delivery of treatment services outlined in the individual’s Service Plan in coordination with other program staff, and providing direct professional crisis intervention and stabilization services to individuals and their families. Also assists in planning, organizing and directing program services within the policies and procedures of St. Joseph's Villa. All work is performed within the Crisis Now Model and systems-based framework with strong collaboration skills with and in support of other services offered by St. Joseph's Villa and the community (partnership with Region 4), in accordance with the highest professional ethical standards, and in alignment with Saint Joseph’s Villa mission, values, and guiding principles. Crisis Now Model – No Wrong Door/No Force First (all persons requesting services regardless of age, etc. are to briefly screened and linked through a warm hand-off to appropriate level of care).

Requirements

BA/BS in social work, psychology, sociology, or other human service field
QMHP certification through the VA Board of Health is required
Two or more years related experience with relevant population.
Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of and skill in professional psycho-educational techniques and awareness of needs of children who are in crises emotionally and socially.
Ability to make independent decisions and establish an effective and harmonious working relationship between individuals, families and community.
Ability to effectively utilize community resources.
Ability to develop close working relationships with the program staff, with St. Joseph's Villa staff, with staff of related agencies, and with public officials and other community representatives.
Knowledge of team building techniques and staff development procedures as they relate to the treatment process.
Knowledge of basic first aid procedures.
Ability to work within a team model of management.
Mature judgment and a high degree of professional skill.

Responsibilities

Participates as an active member in a team approach to the delivery of services to individuals
Attends and participates in All-Staff Meetings, weekly Treatment Team Meetings, and other events/meetings that support the operation of Crisis Services
Works collaboratively in the development and implementation of safety plans, service plans, objectives, and methods necessary for providing effective services to individuals and families based on individual need.
Uses approved behavior management and trauma informed care techniques to work with clients in crisis.
Plans and implements psycho-educational services and therapeutic curriculum for daily individual or group treatment based on individual needs and safety plans
Ensures individuals follow “House Rules” of each service including but not limited to screen-time, wake and sleep times, monitoring books, music, and television programing, appropriate dress, contraband, respecting self, others, and staff, etc.
Participates in effective transition at shift changes to communicate needed information regarding individuals.
Daily tasks may include, but not limited to: shift change communication among staff, individual and/or group treatment, adherence to program schedules, client and house laundry, providing nutritional meals and snacks, administration of medication
Transports individuals to Crisis Services when appropriate
Escorts individuals between Crisis Services when appropriate
Participates in the development of progress/evaluation reports of individuals
Maintains accurate documentation for individuals under his/her supervision within state licensing and professional accreditation standards
Promotes good community relations and utilizes needed community services
May liaison with community agencies and casework staff for process reporting and service planning
May participate in individual intake, admission, and discharge process
Discuss treatment progress, supports family in implementing in-home behavior strategies that support the treatment plan, and responds to parents and/ or guardians regarding operations, events, incidents, etc.
Models high level of professionalism with appropriate communication with individuals and staff, behavior, and dress.
Evaluates work processes and methods and submits recommendations for continuous quality improvement
Attends scheduled training programs for professional development that include, at a minimum, trainings required by St. Joseph’s Villa and by regulatory and accrediting bodies
When necessary, may be deployed to other services at St Joseph’s Villa to provide appropriate needed services.
Performs other duties as assigned