Health Assistant BHS

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Mexia, TX

13d•$3,650 - $4,595•Onsite

About The Position

The Health Assistant works within the Behavioral Health Department, or another department depending on the State Supported Living Center’s structure, to support learning practical, functional, and meaningful skills and decrease challenging behavior. The role assists behavioral health specialists and behavior analysts with developing Skills Acquisition Plans (SAPs) and Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs), gathering and reporting data, and completing behavioral, psychiatric, preference, strengths, functional, adaptive skills, and other assessments as needed. Work also includes training direct care staff, assisting with plan implementation, providing treatment or training sessions, and attending assigned meetings. The position works under moderate supervision with limited latitude for independent judgment. A flexible schedule, overtime, and weekend and holiday work may be required. The position is based at the Mexia State Supported Living Center and is not eligible for telework. The Texas State Supported Living Centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who may be medically fragile or have behavioral problems, providing campus-based direct services and supports. This full-time role supports the center’s behavioral health and skills-acquisition programming. Employees may also be asked to support disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities, which may require a different shift pattern or location.

Requirements

Experience in psychological work; experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.
Experience teaching, training, or coaching others.
Experience participating as a member of a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary team.
Knowledge of behavioral analysis theories and practice and related regulatory guidelines in the field of intellectual disabilities.
Knowledge of behavioral principles and behavioral research methodology, positive behavioral supports, Skills Acquisition Plans, the active treatment loop, and relevant assessments.
Knowledge of facility operations, policies, procedures, laws, rules, standards, and guidelines.
Ability to implement educational and behavioral treatment and therapy; collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and committees; train staff at all levels; and communicate effectively through accurate oral and written reports.
Ability to use computers and relevant software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and electronic health data systems such as CareTracker and IRIS.
Ability to assist with or administer assessments and score their results.
Ability to become certified as a Ukeru instructor if needed and provide Ukeru training.
Ability to observe and accurately document challenging behaviors and skills acquisition; model, monitor, and coach staff in implementing plans; document data and progress thoroughly; and enter and report data using electronic records and Excel.
Must pass fingerprint-based criminal background checks, a pre-employment drug screen, and required registry checks, including CANRS, Nurse Aide, Medication Aide, Employee Misconduct, and the HHS List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
Must be at least 18 years old to work at a state-operated facility.
Must be willing to work flexible hours, overtime or extended hours, weekends, and holidays.
Males ages 18–25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Employees are subject to random drug testing.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in psychology or a related field is generally preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist behavioral health staff in developing treatment and training strategies and providing therapy.
Assist the interdisciplinary team in developing treatment strategies, including gathering baseline data and information from direct care and clinical staff for individuals’ care plans.
Complete or assist with behavioral, psychiatric, preference, strengths, functional, adaptive skills, and other assessments as assigned.
Train and assist direct care staff in implementing PBSPs and SAPs, and provide special treatment sessions.
Serve as a restraint monitor and perform Safe Use of Restraint (SUR) and Ukeru when necessary.
Maintain contact with direct care and professional staff to contribute to individuals’ overall care plans.
Collect, enter, tabulate, and report behavioral, SAP, and restraint data as needed.
Attend and participate in assigned meetings, including interdisciplinary team meetings.
Perform other assigned duties, including supporting disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activation.
Attend work regularly and follow assigned shift schedules, including rotating or extended shifts and overtime when required.