Behavior Technician

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Chesapeake, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Passionate about helping others? Start a rewarding career at Southeastern Virginia Training Center! Southeastern Virginia Training Center is currently hiring a Behavior Technician to support our mission of providing compassionate, person-centered care to adults with intellectual disabilities. In this role, you’ll work closely with the Personal Support Team and clinical services to deliver individualized support that enhances the quality of life for those we serve.

At Southeastern Virginia Training Center (SEVTC) we serve citizens diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are an intermediate care facility operated by the Department of Behavioral health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) where we support individuals in state-of-the-art homes with accommodations unique to their specific needs. At SEVTC, we take pride in providing our individuals with a person-centered approach, fostering their independence, and ensuring their life is fully realized to their potential. Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we take time to invest in their health, wellness, and happiness.

About the Role

Promote client socialization, self-care and development utilizing person centered treatment plans to guide/direct, strengths and weaknesses: motivate independence and self-sufficiency among ID/MH.
Interact with assigned individuals according to treatment plan to assist in meeting individual/unit goals.
Assist with maintaining a safe, clean and therapeutic environment by actions and/or notifications as required.
Observe client behavior within milieu and report changes to supervisor, assist with interventions (e.g. safety holds and/or restraints) and collaborate with personal support team as required for interventions.
Document observations/interventions according to provided guidelines.
Share observations with supervisor and personal support team to assist with enhancing client care/treatment plan implementation/revision.
Attend Personal support team meetings and actively provide pertinent information for client’s plan.
Participate in orientation of new employees and by assisting in identification/ provision of in-service and continuing education.
Meets regularly with the Lead Behavior Specialist to review assessment procedures and develop treatment recommendations.
Reviewing department documentation for quality compliance.
Assists Behavior Specialists, Psychologists, and support Personal Support Teams in developing behavioral interventions to address problematic behaviors, to teach skill building, and improve overall quality of life.
Respond to crises to assist and provide guidance and support to SEVTC staff and assigned individuals.
Work flex shifts as assigned to be available at times when observations, staff training, and treatment plan monitoring needs to occur. Overtime is a requirement as needed.

This position is considered essential personnel and would be required to work in the event of an emergency or facility need. All SEVTC positions are required to work different shifts and/or overtime as requested.

All new hires must successfully complete the facility’s pre-service training program for Direct Support Professional Staff, to include Person Centered Approach techniques, CPR/First Aid Certification, TOVA, medication administration, nutritional management and physical/behavioral management, for continued employment. Training in behavior management and crisis intervention is available. (Preservice training class is 10 days long 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Shift/hours:

6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Every other weekend required.

Requirements

• Experience working in a direct care setting with individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and/or substance use disorders.
• Ability to read, write and speak fluently in English language.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Working knowledge of characteristics (and programs for treatment) of mental health disorders to include data collection and detailed ID note documentation.
• Ability to describe client observations orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of and ability to observe and/or instruct individuals with a variety of mental disorders/individual disabilities in basic self-help, independent living, Day Support, Vocational and social skills.
• Ability to complete designated orientation training to include home orientation, TOVA and AED/CPR.
• Ability to observe and oversee individuals in recreational/social/day support and vocation activities, and document observations.
• Ability to work with multiple individuals not just one to one, in a high intensive behavioral home setting.
• Ability to support and train other staff on how to de-escalate behaviors and prioritize safety for all individuals.
• Knowledge of recovery and de-escalation core principles and practices.
• Ability to remain calm in crisis settings while utilizing appropriate behavior techniques to return individuals to base line.
• Must be computer literate, including email experience, and able to accurately utilize electronic health records for data entry and retrieval.
• Must have some scheduling flexibility to accommodate staffing and training needs for individuals that reside here.
• Prior experience in a direct care setting for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and/or substance abuse.
• Experience with implementation of recovery principles and techniques for de-escalation.
• Experience in following behavior support plans in addition to ISP’s to include documentation and making suggestions for improvement and strategies.
• Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in criminology, psychology, rehabilitation services, social services, or related human services field.
• Experience in a hospital or residential setting.
• Prior supervisory, management or training experience.

Responsibilities

• Promote client socialization, self-care and development utilizing person centered treatment plans to guide/direct, strengths and weaknesses: motivate independence and self-sufficiency among ID/MH.
• Interact with assigned individuals according to treatment plan to assist in meeting individual/unit goals.
• Assist with maintaining a safe, clean and therapeutic environment by actions and/or notifications as required.
• Observe client behavior within milieu and report changes to supervisor, assist with interventions (e.g. safety holds and/or restraints) and collaborate with personal support team as required for interventions.
• Document observations/interventions according to provided guidelines.
• Share observations with supervisor and personal support team to assist with enhancing client care/treatment plan implementation/revision.
• Attend Personal support team meetings and actively provide pertinent information for client’s plan.
• Participate in orientation of new employees and by assisting in identification/ provision of in-service and continuing education.
• Meets regularly with the Lead Behavior Specialist to review assessment procedures and develop treatment recommendations.
• Reviewing department documentation for quality compliance.
• Assists Behavior Specialists, Psychologists, and support Personal Support Teams in developing behavioral interventions to address problematic behaviors, to teach skill building, and improve overall quality of life.
• Respond to crises to assist and provide guidance and support to SEVTC staff and assigned individuals.
• Work flex shifts as assigned to be available at times when observations, staff training, and treatment plan monitoring needs to occur. Overtime is a requirement as needed.

Benefits

• Health, vision and dental; multiple plan choices!
• Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• 13 paid holidays.
• Paid time off to include sick leave, family personal leave, annual leave, parental leave and more!
• Life and long-term care insurance.
• Retirement and savings to include - membership in the Virginia Retirement System (401(a) defined benefit plan) and the commonwealth’s deferred compensation plan.
• Short term and long-term disability benefits.
• Employee assistance program, wellness, employee discounts and so much more!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees