Behavioral Specialist - 24 Hour, 3rd Shift

Hospital for Special Care•New Britain, CT

1d•$23 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Specialist implements therapeutic treatment plans and helps ensure the safety of assigned patients in the Autism Inpatient Unit. The role works under the oversight of the Clinical Nurse Manager, with daily monitoring by the Behavior Specialist Supervisor, and provides patient care under the direction of a registered nurse. As part of the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Behavioral Specialist collects data for functional assessment, observes and records patient responses to interventions, and documents the program under the direction of a registered nurse and BCBA. The position involves caring for patients with behavioral and physical care needs in a potentially stressful setting. Staff use hospital-taught de-escalation techniques and approved methods of physical intervention when needed to maintain safety. They may float to other patient care units or departments when operational or patient care needs require it, provided they have the competencies and qualifications for the assignment.

Requirements

One of the following qualification pathways: a bachelor’s degree in a human service field and six months to one year of direct childcare work with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder; an associate’s degree in a human service field and two years of experience with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder; or five years of experience with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Ability to participate in the physical management of patients, including safe body positioning, blocking and deflecting possible aggression, and holding struggling patients using approved methods to maintain safety for extended periods.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds; reach with hands and arms; grasp and hold; bend, squat, and kneel without limitation; and physically escort potentially combative patients short distances.
Ability to occasionally run short distances and frequently stand, walk, and sit.
Ability to remain calm during crises, make quick rational decisions, and prioritize immediate patient-care needs.
Ability to use de-escalation techniques taught by the hospital.
Working knowledge and familiarity with professional medical terminology and definitions.
Communication skills sufficient to express abstract or complex ideas, negotiate, actively listen, and dialogue with multiple parties.
Ability to comprehend lengthy and complex messages or paragraphs and follow multistage and three-step commands.
Flexibility of thought, reasoning, organizational skills, and ability to function in behavioral and physical care situations.
Ability to produce legible writing with accurate spelling and logical sentence and paragraph organization.

Nice To Haves

Experience implementing Applied Behavior Analysis procedures with children and/or adolescents, including data collection, reinforcement, and instructional procedures.

Responsibilities

Maintain a safe, therapeutic environment and provide timely interventions for destructive behavior, aggression, and expressions of self-harm according to individualized behavior plans.
Maintain the documented level of patient observation ordered for each shift.
Supervise assigned patients in daily routines and assist with activities of daily living and basic hygiene according to individual needs.
Identify, report, and resolve potential or actual problems on the unit.
Report critical incidents promptly to the charge RN, document them in the medical record, complete applicable incident or seclusion and restraint forms, and participate in debriefings.
Greet new admissions and escort them onto the unit under the direction of the Behavior Specialist Supervisor.
Review assigned patients’ behavior intervention plans at the start of each shift and collaborate with the behavior leadership team to suggest revisions based on observations.
Participate in hand-off shift reports.
Engage patients in organized group activities, participate alongside them, and modify tasks to meet their developmental needs.
Set consistent and supportive therapeutic limits within hospital, unit, and department standards.
Participate in teaching visits and family and parent training as assigned.
Manage crisis situations safely and effectively, using the least restrictive safe patient-care alternative.
Anticipate and de-escalate patient distress before loss of control, as indicated in the behavior intervention plan.
Perform other related duties as required, assigned, or directed by the charge nurse.