Direct Support Professional - Registered Behavior Technician (DSP-RBT)

YAI•Watsonville, CA

32d

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional - Registered Behavior Technician (DSP-RBT) provides supervision, protection, and care to individuals with moderate to complex support needs in a variety of settings. The role implements individualized service plans, Individual Behavior Support Plans (IBSPs), Individualized Program Plans (IPPs), and Behavior Support Plans (BSPs), while supporting health, safety, wellness, personal rights, emotional needs, personal goals, and community participation. The DSP-RBT maintains a clean, safe, and therapeutic environment, responds to crises in accordance with applicable plans and procedures, and uses person-centered, trauma-informed approaches. The position assists individuals with personal care, activities of daily living, medication administration as prescribed, skill development, advocacy, communication, decision-making, meals, transportation, recreational activities, appointments, purchases, and personal funds, as appropriate and authorized. The DSP-RBT also maintains daily records and electronic health-record data, completes required documentation and trainings, collaborates with program leadership and clinical staff, and participates in team meetings. Under appropriate supervision, the role may participate in treatment-plan development, implement behavior support plans, collect and report behavioral data, communicate observations and progress, and develop knowledge of person-specific clinical needs. Minimum requirements may vary by state and contract. All DSP-RBTs must have a high school diploma or equivalent, basic communication and computer skills, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and the ability to take initiative and meet the role’s physical demands. RBT certification must be held or obtained within one year of appointment, unless the California assignment qualifications listed in the posting apply. California Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes and Community Crisis Homes have additional experience, training, certification, health-screening, and continuing-education requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or educational equivalent.
Hold or obtain Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification within one year of appointment; for California assignments, be a Licensed Psych Technician or Qualified Behavior Modification Professional instead, as applicable.
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 essential physical demands, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, and handling, fingering, or feeling objects, tools, or controls.
Ability to assist with lifting or moving individuals of any weight with mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or push individuals in wheelchairs; lift or move up to 25 pounds or run on occasion; and perform emergency interventions described in individual plans, including lifting or moving individuals with or without equipment or other staff.
A valid driver’s license may be required depending on position and location.
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 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 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 is strongly preferred for California assignments.

Responsibilities

Supervise, protect, and care for individuals at all times, maintain house rules, teach fire safety, 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.
Promote health, wellness, and safety through appropriate supervision and crisis management consistent with policies, procedures, and regulations.
Implement plans of protective oversight, Individual Behavior Support Plans (IBSPs), Individualized Program Plans (IPPs), and Behavior Support Plans (BSPs).
Maintain a clean, safe, organized work and therapy environment; follow safe handling, infection-control, and COVID mitigation procedures.
Support individuals’ strengths, interests, abilities, personal rights, emotional needs, personal goals, relationships, social participation, and community connections using respectful, person-first communication.
Assist with personal care, activities of daily living, medication administration as prescribed, skill development, advocacy, communication, self-expression, dispute resolution, and ethical decision-making, as appropriate and authorized.
Supervise or plan and prepare balanced meals and snacks in accordance with individual 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 funds and other funds provided.
Complete and maintain position- and program-required trainings and apply the skills learned.
Review communication logs, record events and progress, and collect and enter operational data in an electronic health record.
Complete required paperwork and documentation accurately and on time, including notifications, incident reports, file updates, maintenance requests, calls, incident tracking, and evening or weekend reports.
Maintain a therapeutic environment using methods such as Personal Outcome Measures, Person Centered Thinking, Informed Decision Making, and Trauma-Informed Approaches.
Collaborate with the support team, provide feedback about program needs, use a solution-oriented approach to conflict, consult with program leadership and clinical and direct support staff, and 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 regulatory requirements, including HIPAA.
Maintain BACB requirements for RBT or LPT certification or licensure and complete required recertifications and trainings.
Model DSP/RBT skills using person-centered and trauma-informed approaches.
Under appropriate supervision, participate in treatment-plan development; build understanding of person-specific clinical needs; implement BSPs; collect, record, and summarize behavioral data; observe and report behavioral or other changes to a supervisor; and communicate with authorized representatives about individual progress as instructed by the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.
Perform other assigned duties.