Behavior Specialist

United Cerebral Palsy of GA•Macon, GA

45d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Behavior Specialist provides positive behavior support (through plan development and program monitoring) to individuals supported by the agency in residential and day services. 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 Georgia’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 Georgia offers supports designed to help people maximize their potential and achieve independent, productive, and rewarding lives.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Behavioral Science or related field.
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.
Valid Georgia Driver’s License.
Must be able to train and perform all physical aspects of Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention.
Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
Must be able to occasionally move about to access file cabinets, office machinery and other locations in the building.
Must be able to continually operate a computer and other office machinery such as a calculator, copier machine and computer printer.
Must be able to communicate and converse with others, detect and discern others’ communication, and express oneself.
Must be able to relay information to all levels of staff.
Must be able to lift and/or move up to 15 lbs.
Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.

Responsibilities

Assesses individuals served who exhibit maladaptive behaviors when referred by the program manager staff or others by reviewing files, meeting with staff, and conducting onsite observations.
Performs a functional analysis on individuals served exhibiting maladaptive behaviors, including file review, observation in day and residential settings, and formal assessment using QABF or FAST.
Communicates with Regional Director and interdisciplinary team members to develop an individual-specific positive behavior support program.
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 positive behavior support programs and makes changes as needed.
Provides individual and/or group educational sessions to individuals served and their families to improve social skills, communication skills, or coping skills.
Documents all interactions relevant to supports provided, including behavior changes, observations, team communication, and plan development/updates.
Documents a monthly assessment of behavior support progress for each individual served, including progress summary, recommendations, 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 may increase for more challenging behaviors.
Attends monthly interdisciplinary team meetings.
Attends CABS meetings for all individuals on the assigned caseload.
Attends ISP and SIS meetings for individuals on the assigned caseload, as schedules permit.
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.
Visits individuals served while hospitalized due to behavioral incidents when schedules permit, or coordinates care with hospital personnel if a visit is not feasible, documenting all visits/contact and communication.
Provides staff with relevant information needed to present to outpatient providers when behavior concerns arise.
Adheres to all agency policies and procedures.
Develops and maintains positive and productive relationships with individuals, families, co-workers, and community members.
Maintains objectivity in position to set appropriate limits while working with individuals and team members.
Maintains respect for cultural, ethnic, spiritual, and individual differences.
Travels to various program sites and external locations for meetings and other events.
Performs other duties as assigned.