Direct Support Professional - Registred Behavior Technician

YAI•West Milford, NJ

21d

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional/Registered Behavior Technician provides supervision, protection, and care for individuals with moderate to complex support needs in a variety of settings. The role implements individualized service, behavior support, protective oversight, and person-centered plans while supporting individuals’ health, safety, personal rights, emotional well-being, relationships, community participation, and personal goals. The position also supports daily living, personal care, medication administration as prescribed, skill development, communication, meals, transportation, appointments, recreation, and management of personal funds, as appropriate and authorized. The role maintains a safe, clean, organized, and therapeutic environment; follows safe handling, infection-control, and crisis-response procedures; and completes required training and documentation. This includes daily communication logs, progress notes, service and incident records, and data entry in an electronic health record. The position works collaboratively with program leadership, clinical staff, direct support colleagues, and authorized representatives, and participates in team meetings. Under appropriate supervision, the employee participates in treatment-plan development, implements Behavior Support Plans, collects and summarizes behavioral data, reports observed changes to a supervisor, and communicates individual progress to authorized representatives as instructed by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. The position must comply with applicable regulations, HIPAA, YAI policies, and relevant certification and training requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or educational equivalent.
Must hold or obtain Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification within one year of appointment; for California assignments, a Licensed Psych Technician or Qualified Behavior Modification Professional may apply instead.
Basic written and verbal communication skills.
Basic computer skills, including email and use of Workday and related systems to complete tasks.
Interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
Willingness to take initiative.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, and handling or using tools and controls.
Ability to assist with lifting or moving individuals of any weight using mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or to push individuals in wheelchairs; ability to lift or move up to 25 pounds or run on occasion.
Physical capacity to implement emergency interventions in accordance with an individual’s Behavior Support Plan and Individual Emergency Intervention Plan, including lifting or moving individuals of any weight with or without equipment or other staff assistance, if needed.
For New Jersey Behavioral Health Stabilization Homes: at least six months of work or life experience with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and/or behavioral challenges.
For New Jersey Behavioral Health Stabilization Homes: valid driver’s license with no more than five points.
For New Jersey Behavioral Health Stabilization Homes: successful completion of mandatory New Jersey State drug test screening.
For California Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes and/or Community Crisis Homes: at least six months of prior direct-care experience with individuals with developmental disabilities.
For California Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes and/or Community Crisis Homes: complete California Direct Support Professional Training (DSPT) Year 1 and Year 2 courses within one year of appointment.
For California Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes and/or Community Crisis Homes: hold or obtain through employer-provided training CPR/First Aid, Ukeru, and CPI certifications and recertify annually.
For California Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes and/or Community Crisis Homes: complete a health screening.
For California Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes and/or Community Crisis Homes: complete annual continuing education units (CEUs) through competency-based training as required by Titles 17 and 22.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a Human Services field such as social work or psychology.
Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), clinical syndromes, and/or I/DD with co-occurring behavioral or mental health needs.
Valid driver’s license strongly preferred for California assignments.

Responsibilities

Supervise, protect, and care for individuals, maintain house rules, facilitate fire-safety learning, and identify and escalate signs of potential harm to self or others.
Provide support in a variety of settings in accordance with individualized service and behavior support plans, including for people with moderate to complex needs.
Promote health, wellness, and safety through appropriate supervision and crisis management in compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations.
Implement plans of protective oversight, Individual Behavior Support Plans (IBSPs), and Individualized Program Plans (IPPs).
Maintain a clean, safe, organized work and therapy environment and support facility upkeep and safety.
Use safe handling procedures and follow COVID mitigation and infection-control protocols.
Support individuals’ strengths, interests, abilities, personal rights, emotional well-being, relationships, personal goals, social connections, and community participation using respectful, person-first communication.
Carry out authorized person-centered supports, including personal care, activities of daily living, medication administration as prescribed, teaching and skill development, advocacy, communication support, dispute resolution, and ethical decision-making.
Supervise or plan and prepare balanced meals and snacks in accordance with individuals’ dietary restrictions and guidelines.
Transport and escort individuals to recreational activities, medical appointments, home visits, and other activities.
Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard personal allowance and other funds provided.
Complete and maintain required position- and program-specific training and apply the skills acquired.
Review communication logs and enter events, progress notes, services, and other information, including data, in an electronic health record.
Complete required paperwork and documentation accurately and on time, including notifications, incident reports, file updates, maintenance requests, phone calls, and evening and weekend reports, as applicable.
Maintain a therapeutic environment using Personal Outcome Measures, Person Centered Thinking, Informed Decision Making, and Trauma-Informed Approaches.
Collaborate with the circle of support, provide feedback, communicate program needs, and use a solution-oriented approach to conflicts.
Consult with program leadership, clinical staff, and other direct support staff; attend and actively participate in team meetings.
Use foundational and progressive teaching skills, including EMOE, task analysis, essential skills, supports, and modifications.
Comply with applicable federal, state, local, and other regulatory requirements, including HIPAA.
Maintain BACB certification or license requirements (RBT or LPT) and complete required recertifications and training.
Model DSP/RBT skills using person-centered and trauma-informed approaches.
Under appropriate supervision, participate in treatment-plan development and build understanding of specialized clinical needs, including support for adults, challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, and complex medical needs.
Under appropriate supervision, implement Behavior Support Plans, collect, record, and summarize observable behavior data, and report behavioral changes or other signs and symptoms to a supervisor.
Communicate with authorized representatives regarding individual progress as instructed by the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.
Perform other duties as assigned.