Behavioral Specialist - 32 Hour, 2nd Shift

Hospital for Special Care•New Britain, CT

3d•$23 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Specialist implements therapeutic treatment plans and ensures the safety of assigned patients under the oversight of the Clinical Nurse Manager, with daily monitoring by the Behavior Specialist Supervisor. As part of the interdisciplinary treatment team, the specialist collects data for functional assessment, observes and documents patient responses to interventions under the direction of a registered nurse and BCBA, and provides patient care under the direction of the RN. The role involves supporting patients with autism in a behavioral management setting, maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment, assisting with daily routines and basic hygiene, and using de-escalation techniques and approved interventions to manage crises. The specialist may be asked to float to other patient care units or departments when operational and patient care needs require, if qualified for the assignment.

Requirements

One of the following qualification paths: 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 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 physical management of patients, including safe positioning, blocking and deflecting aggression, and holding struggling patients using approved methods.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, reach with hands and arms, grasp and hold, bend, squat, and kneel without limitation, and escort potentially combative patients short distances.
Ability to run short distances occasionally and stand, walk, and sit frequently.
Ability to remain calm during crises, make quick rational decisions, prioritize immediate patient-care needs, and use hospital-taught de-escalation techniques.
Communication skills including expressing abstract or complex ideas, negotiation, active listening, and dialogue with multiple parties.
Ability to comprehend lengthy and complex messages and follow multistage and three-step commands.
Flexibility of thought, reasoning, organizational skills, and ability to function in behavioral and physical care situations.
Legible writing, accurate spelling, and logical sentence and paragraph organization.
Working knowledge of professional medical terminology and definitions.

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 and therapeutic environment, intervening in destructive behaviors, aggression, and expressions of self-harm according to individualized behavior plans.
Maintain the patient observation level ordered by the physician, BCBA, or Charge RN each shift.
Supervise assigned patients during daily routines and assist with activities of daily living and basic hygiene needs.
Identify, report, and resolve potential or actual problems on the unit.
Report critical incidents promptly to the Charge RN and document them in the medical record; complete applicable incident, seclusion, and restraint forms and participate in debriefings.
Greet new admissions and escort them onto the unit under the direction of the BS 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 adapt tasks to meet their developmental needs.
Set consistent and supportive therapeutic limits according to hospital, unit, and department standards.
Participate in teaching visits and family or parent training as assigned.
Handle crisis situations safely and effectively, using the least restrictive safe patient-care alternative.
Anticipate and de-escalate patient distress before patients lose control, as indicated in behavior intervention plans.
Perform other related duties as required, assigned, or directed by the Charge Nurse.