Cognitive Skills Specialist

Oriana House•Cleveland, OH

About The Position

The Cognitive Skills Specialist is responsible for the direct implementation of cognitive behavioral programming for clients. The specialist conducts scheduled programming, typically in groups of eight to twelve clients, and adheres to the integrity of the curriculum. The role includes helping clients understand cognitive errors associated with a criminal lifestyle and use cognitive behavioral techniques to counter destructive thinking patterns. The specialist reviews client information and program requirements, evaluates client progress and goal achievement, and communicates progress to clients as required. The role also involves maintaining accurate client files, progress notes, correspondence, and statistical reports; coordinating services with caseworkers, other staff, and community agencies; and providing formal, documented training to agency employees on relevant cognitive skills topics. The specialist ensures clients have schedules and are notified about programming, or alerts appropriate staff when schedules are missing. Travel to different work sites may be required if needed or directed by a supervisor. The position requires the cognitive abilities to learn, remember, focus, categorize, integrate information, make decisions, solve problems, and comprehend. The specialist must organize work, manage time, meet deadlines, and perform under stress or in emergencies. A valid Ohio driver's license, reliable transportation, and an insurable driving record are required if required by the facility supervisor.

Requirements

Associate's degree in Behavioral Science or a related field.
Ability to learn, remember, focus, categorize, and integrate information for decision-making, problem-solving, and comprehension.
Ability to perform under stress and/or in emergencies.
Ability to work effectively with agency employees, outside contacts, and a diverse client population.
Valid Ohio driver's license, reliable transportation, and a driving record that does not preclude coverage by agency liability insurance, if required by the facility supervisor.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of Cognitive Theory and Social Learning Theory.
Prior experience in corrections or a related field.

Responsibilities

Conduct cognitive skills programming as scheduled, generally in groups of eight to twelve clients.
Adhere to the integrity of the curriculum being taught.
Review available information about clients and their program requirements.
Complete required statistical reports accurately and submit them to the supervisor.
Evaluate clients' overall progress and goal achievement and communicate status to clients as required by the program.
Prepare and maintain accurate, organized, and updated individual files, progress notes, and outside correspondence according to agency specifications.
Educate clients about cognitive errors that support a criminal lifestyle.
Educate and assist clients in using cognitive behavioral techniques to counter destructive thinking patterns.
Coordinate services with caseworkers, agency staff, and community agencies, and maintain accurate documentation of coordination.
Provide formal, documented training to current agency employees about pertinent cognitive skills information.
Ensure clients have schedules and are notified to attend programming, or inform appropriate staff when client schedules are missing.
Manage time and organize work demands appropriately, and meet deadlines established by the supervisor.
Travel to different work sites if needed or directed by the supervisor.