LEAD BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST

HILLSIDE INC•Atlanta, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Behavioral Specialist is responsible for the direct supervision of all children assigned to their care, ensuring the implementation and maintenance of adequate standards of institutional care as designated by the Chief Executive Officer and the State of Georgia. This professional role models for peers and requires an advanced knowledge in the behavioral sciences, acquired through a long course of study. They are tasked with providing direction for understanding the philosophy, function, and operation of the treatment program, as well as the structure and philosophy of service and treatment at Hillside. The specialist ensures the unit schedule is followed, actively participates in scheduled activities with children, and keeps the Unit Supervisor/Unit Director informed on relevant matters. Daily responsibilities include completing various paperwork such as progress notes, incident reports, and treatment plans, while maintaining the confidential nature of all child and facility-related activities. They assist in developing treatment objectives, lead/co-lead groups linked to DBT skills, coordinate with dietary personnel, and monitor the physical health, hygiene, and safety of each child. This includes teaching living and social skills and, when necessary, restraining a child using approved techniques to ensure safety. The Lead Behavioral Specialist collaborates with the multi-disciplinary team for ongoing assessment and implementation of care plans, assures quality services by enforcing rules and documenting therapeutic processes, and reviews State of Georgia licensing regulations. They must understand emergency procedures, complete mandatory training, maintain contact with families, act as a liaison with caseworkers and school counselors, and report any suspected abuse. The role also involves transporting children to various activities, coordinating medical appointments, and assisting school staff in the classroom under the supervision of the Teacher/Education Director. All duties must be performed safely, adhering to Hillside policies and procedures, including HELP techniques for physical interventions, reporting accidents, and ensuring adherence to Hillside's Accessibility Plan.

Requirements

Advanced type of knowledge in the behavioral sciences acquired by a long course of study.
Understanding of emergency procedures, internal and external disaster plans.
Completion and update of all required and assigned in-services and training: Orientation, Infection Control, First-Aid, CPR, HELP (Human Empowerment Leadership Principles), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), Cultural Competency, Confidentiality and Fire Safety.
Mandatory attendance at initial and refresher training sessions.
Adherence to Hillside policies and procedures for safety.
Adherence to proper HELP techniques when involved in physical interventions.
Following the State of Georgia Workers Compensation Laws and Responsibilities if involved in a work related accident.
Abiding by the treating physicians directions if involved in a work related accident.
Ensuring Hillside's Accessibility Plan is adhered to.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the direct supervision of all children assigned to his/her supervision.
Implementing and maintaining adequate standards of institutional care for children as designated by the Chief Executive Officer and the State of Georgia.
Role models for peers and requires an advanced type of knowledge in the behavioral sciences acquired by a long course of study.
Provide direction for developing and understanding an appreciation of the philosophy, function and operation of the treatment program, as well as the structure and philosophy of service and treatment of Hillside.
Ensure unit schedule is being followed and actively participate in scheduled activities with the children.
Keep the Unit Supervisor/Unit Director informed on matters that impact the unit in a timely and supportive fashion.
Completing a variety of paperwork on a daily basis, including but not limited to progress notes, special procedure observation forms, home contracts, incident reports, seclusion forms, safety coat forms, treatment received, monthly summaries, treatment plans, APS reports, documentation of school behaviors in the unit charts/notebooks and any area of concern in accordance with record documentation policies.
Understand and maintain the confidential nature of all children and facility related activities with emphasis on the sensitivity of the childs records.
Assist in developing treatment objectives/special treatment plans, and meet with treatment coordinator to review treatment goal objectives.
Lead/Co-lead various groups.
Ensure that activities are conducted daily and are linked to the DBT skills of the week.
Record the activities in the Activity Log.
Coordinate with Dietary Personnel to ensure that a proper diet is maintained.
Take his/her meals along with the children if on duty at meal times.
Monitor the physical health, hygiene and safety of each child in his/her unit.
Supervise the treatment care of assigned children at all times.
Teach living and social skills (i.e. maintaining clean/orderly rooms, doing assigned tasks.) on a daily basis.
Restrain a child (place child in a seclusion room and/or treatment room) to protect the child or other children, utilizing only the minimum amount of force necessary and using techniques and procedures according to applicable Hillside Policies and Training.
Collaborate with the multi-disciplinary team to provide an ongoing assessment of changes in child status.
Implement the multi-disciplinary team plan of care, as well as individual treatment plans and group therapy treatment for the children assigned to his/her unit.
Assure quality services for children by enforcing rules, regulations and legal requirements with children and documenting events of the therapeutic process.
Review licensing regulations from the State of Georgia by reviewing and referring to the Hillside Policy and Procedure Manual on a consistent basis.
Ensure that the unit under his/her supervision is meeting all requirements.
Demonstrate an understanding of emergency procedures, internal and external disaster plans.
Complete and update all required and assigned in-services and training: Orientation, Infection Control, First-Aid, CPR, HELP (Human Empowerment Leadership Principles), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), Cultural Competency, Confidentiality and Fire Safety.
Maintain contact and work with the families of the children assigned to his/her unit to ensure that good treatment is being provided for the children at home as well as at Hillside.
Act as a liaison with caseworkers and school counselors to facilitate development of home visits, contracts and school assignments.
Immediately report all suspected forms of physical and verbal abuse of the children to the Chief Executive Officer or designee, the Residential Program Director, the E&S Unit Director, Unit Supervisors, Campus Supervisors and the Shift Supervisor, and communicate significant child issues as needed to the childrens therapist(s).
Periodically be required to transport children assigned to his/her unit to various activities, including but not limited to medical appointments, schools and occasionally to bus and/or train stations so that children may go home for visits.
Utilize utmost care and caution when transporting children to ensure their safety at all times.
Coordinate the medical appointments with the Nursing Department and the Unit Supervisor to ensure that coverage is always maintained in his/her unit.
Assist the Education Director and school staff in the classroom and perform duties that may be assigned by the teacher(s).
Actively supervise children in all activities on and off campus.
Perform all assigned duties in a safe manner by following Hillside policies and procedures.
Ensure proper HELP techniques are adhered to when involved in physical interventions.
Report all accidents/incidents in an expeditious manner.
If involved in a work related accident, follow the State of Georgia Workers Compensation Laws and Responsibilities and abide by the treating physicians directions.
Ensure Hillsides Accessibility Plan is adhered to by assuring the removal of barriers to the greatest extent possible that may hinder those served, staff and/or other stakeholders.
Perform the aforementioned duties and other duties as deemed necessary by Management with team support and spirit.