Behavioral Specialist - Villa Maria School

Catholic Charities of Baltimore•Timonium, MD

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Villa Maria School is currently seeking a Behavioral Specialist to provide crisis support and proactive assistance to youth within an assigned setting. This role involves implementing safety and therapeutic interventions in accordance with Trauma Informed Care (TIC), each youth’s Individual Crisis Management Plan (ICMP), and program policy. The Villa Maria School is a 12-month program offering educational and clinical services for children from kindergarten through 8th grade who have significant emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges. Students are placed in small classrooms (up to nine students) when their local school system refers them to VMS.

Requirements

High school diploma
4 years experience with children or special populations
High level of skill in verbally de-escalating youth when they are angry, aggressive and out of control.
Ability to relate to youth and make the environment an enjoyable atmosphere.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to act with discretion, tact, and professionalism in all situations.
Effective conflict resolution skills.
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Ability to utilize, or willingness to learn computer systems and software, necessary to perform position functions (Basic computer, web browsing, online training, and email usage skills).
Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the job (i.e. on feet most of the day, running, being physically active/playing with the students, etc.).
Hearing and vision abilities within normal range (corrected) to drive safely and to observe and communicate with others.
Driving (Agency and/or personal vehicle) is required for this position.
Driver must be at least 21 years of age, with a minimum of 2 years of driving experience, and a valid driver’s license issued by the state of residence.
There can be no state issued restrictions on the licenses that would impede driver’s ability to operate the vehicle as required by the Agency, and there must not be more than three (3) points on their driving record.

Nice To Haves

TCI training within 2 months and CARE training within 3 months provided after hire.

Responsibilities

Provide support to residential or school youth to ensure a safe, therapeutic environment.
Interact with youth and model for coworkers the principles of Children and Residential Experiences (CARE), Trauma Informed Care (TIC), and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI).
Use the CARE model to influence and guide all interactions and philosophy of support for youth, families, and colleagues.
Assess volatile situations and deescalates problems by applying appropriate interventions including verbal de-escalation, proximity control, voice and touch control, and personal restraint.
Apply responses that are appropriate to each youth’s Treatment Plan, ICMP, and ensures that policies and procedures of the Behavioral Treatment System are implemented appropriately.
Counsel youth to process crisis resolution in a manner that promotes the learning of self-control and reinforces constructive problem solving.
Monitors youth throughout the crisis intervention response.
Provide guidance and support to staff by regularly consulting on prevention and de-escalation techniques.
Assist in the orientation of new staff, particularly in the use of personal restraint techniques and the assessment of crisis situations.
Keep staff informed of problems within the building that might impact the unit/classroom.
Coordinates staff when additional personnel are required in responding to a crisis situation.
Ensure that all personal restraints are observed by a Nurse.
Actively participates in the debriefing process.
Follows all Risk Management Occurrence procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Actively working in the classrooms to support student learning.
Build positive relationships with students and staff.