SAP Specialist

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Denton, TX

3d•$4,095 - $5,921•Onsite

About The Position

Performs highly complex skill acquisition planning and instructional work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at a State Supported Living Center. Develops and implements Skills Acquisition Plans (SAPs) to address skill deficits and promote greater independence, working with an interdisciplinary team to identify needs, assess abilities, develop plans, train staff, and monitor progress. Skill areas may include education, vocation, socialization, recreation, self-administration of medication, and daily living. The position prepares training aids and manuals, coordinates with other staff to ensure adaptive equipment and materials are available, and monitors implementation and outcomes across settings. It communicates progress to the interdisciplinary team, attends meetings, completes reports, provides day-to-day oversight and training of staff, and may lead the work of other SAP Specialists or temporarily serve in a supervisor role. The role also helps maintain a safe treatment environment, responds to safety concerns, and provides presentations to community providers during discharge planning. Work is performed under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in rehabilitation, psychology, sociology, social work, education, or a related field, and experience working with individuals in IDD services; or bachelor’s degree in one of those fields and one year of experience working with individuals in IDD services; or high school diploma and two years of experience working with individuals in IDD services.
Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Knowledge of behavioral analysis theories and practice, and regulatory guidelines related to intellectual disabilities.
Knowledge of Skill Acquisition Plans, the active treatment loop, facility operations and policies, applicable laws and standards, and intellectual and developmental disabilities and ICF/IID standards.
Skills in education, training, active treatment, educational and behavioral treatment, observation, accurate documentation, modeling implementation, problem-solving, decision-making, and sound judgment during critical incidents.
Ability to assess functional levels and plan, implement, supervise, and evaluate individualized instruction.
Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams and committees, train staff at all levels, and monitor staff implementation of plans.
Ability to use computers and relevant software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and electronic health data systems.
Ability to communicate effectively and provide accurate, complete oral and written reports; work independently and cooperatively with colleagues.
Ability to safely perform CPR and restraint techniques once trained.
Must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and applicable registry checks.
Must be willing to work weekends and holidays; flexibility in working hours, overtime, and extended hours may be required.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.
Males ages 18–25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Employees of State Supported Living Centers are subject to random drug testing.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement Skills Acquisition Plans to build skills and support community reentry or increased independence in the current setting.
Review historical documentation in electronic health records, including behavior support plans, dietary needs, communication strategies, prior SAPs, and outcomes; analyze and share relevant information with the interdisciplinary team.
Administer, score, and analyze formal and informal assessments of individuals’ functional skills, strengths, needs, preferences, and learning strategies.
When assigned, administer, score, and interpret vocational or day-programming assessments and coordinate with vocational and day-programming teams to incorporate skill acquisition plans.
Work with interdisciplinary team members to develop SAPs, including identifying needs and barriers, current performance, task analysis, goals and mastery criteria, materials, teaching instructions, prompting strategies, and data collection procedures.
Produce and update training aids and manuals for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs); trial plans, train staff, and observe implementation to ensure plans are carried out correctly.
Monitor SAP quality and implementation through treatment integrity and procedural fidelity checks, reviews of monthly progress notes, and observation across settings, including holidays, evenings, and weekends as scheduled.
Document individual progress in electronic health records and communicate progress to the interdisciplinary team at least monthly through reports, notes, email, and meetings.
Provide day-to-day oversight and training of staff implementing SAPs; coordinate or oversee other SAP Specialists as assigned and serve temporarily in a supervisor role when assigned.
Coordinate with habilitation therapies staff to obtain and train staff on communication supports and adaptive equipment needed to implement SAPs.
Check SAP materials for condition and availability and order replacement or new materials as needed.
Recognize and address safety issues, respond to crises using verbal de-escalation and trained Ukeru and Safe Use of Restraints techniques, and promote a safe, clean, and least-restrictive treatment environment.
Present information to community providers about individual transitions during discharge planning; participate in community presentations and answer questions from regulatory surveyors or investigators as related to SAP implementation.
Participate in agency disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities as assigned, which may require a different shift or location.
Attend work regularly, follow the assigned shift or schedule, work overtime or extended hours as required, and perform other assigned duties.