Company Overview: As a leading provider of residential and support services to individuals with special needs, Services for the UnderServed provides the resources you need to build on your experience amidst our culture of team support. Ongoing training and attention to your development help to ensure your success. Your achievements and leadership are rewarded by advancement opportunities. Our commitment to continuous quality improvement impacts the lives of our clients and communities while contributing to the development of our employees.

Position Summary:

The Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) will assess and monitor specific challenging behaviors that disrupt, exclude, or otherwise negatively impact the person or group.  Provide direct behavior analysis and services for people supported in the residential setting.  The BIS will work with people supported through counseling to foster self-determination and to increase replacement skills; thus, empowering them to successfully problem solve and meet challenges by learning to mobilizing their own resources. 

Philosophy:

Treat all people with respect and dignity and to utilize person centered supports designed to mobilize self-determination and independence.  Thus, increasing a level of self-awareness and self-understanding to successfully problem solve and meet challenges by learning to utilize their own resources. 

Minimum Salary is $36.00 and hour, maximum salary $48.86

Mission Statement:

Empower persons supported to facilitate self-determination and independence.

Responsibilities:

• BIS conducts Functional Behavior Assessments, as required
• BIS develops Behavior Support Plan (BSP) and reviews semi-annually and updates annually or more frequently, if needed
• BIS coordinates with the IDT team to organize informed consent and changes in the behavior plan regarding restrictions and fading plans to eliminate restrictions
• BIS is responsible for coordinating the necessary paperwork for the Informed Consent Committee and then obtaining HRC approval
• BIS reviews and analyzes data to makes changes in Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Support Plan (BSP)
• BIS attends staff meetings monthly, clinical meetings monthly, life plan meeting bi-annually, department meetings monthly and other meetings, as needed
• BIS tracks psychiatry appointments, writes the psychiatry referral and consults with the psychiatrist on a monthly basis or as needed
• BIS attends discharge meetings following a psychiatric hospitalization
• BIS provides staff training on the BSP and specific trainings due to incidents
• BIS completes reports and in-service trainings, as needed
• Conducts on site intakes for perspective residents
• BIS trains RBT on specific BSPs so they can provide additional training on to staff
• BIS participation on the following committees: IRC, HRC, ICC, CSET, and Intake
• BIS conducts CSET assessments, travel training assessment and other assessments, as needed
• Generates referrals to CSIDD
• Provides support to families by attending meetings or through correspondence
• Presents at national and international conferences
• Ensures behavioral data is being collected and documented on the agency’s electronic health platforms, i.e. PrecisionCare and Power BI
• LMSW or LCSW will provide counseling services to people living in the community and at programs operated by S:US under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or licensed clinical social worker. The BIS is responsible for treatment plan development, documented progress session updates, and psychosocial assessments, as required

KEY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with people supported and team members, appreciating their social, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds and their age, gender and abilities.

• Integrity: Uphold personal and professional ethics and values, considering the values of the organization and respecting the culture, beliefs and abilities of people we serve.

• Relationships: Ability to develop long-standing relationships with people supported and their families, as well as, national stakeholders.

• Teamwork: Ability to work in a team-oriented environment and contribute to the leadership that creates a fun work environment where the multidisciplinary team supports one another.

• Self-Motivated: Ability to demonstrate initiative and endeavor to maintain a stable level of productivity.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A Master’s degree from a program in clinical or treatment field of psychology, social work, school psychology, applied psychology or a related human service field (required) and
• LMSW/LCSW licensure (required) or
• Eligibility for Exemption under the NYS Education Law Grandparenting Provisions (required)
• 2 years' experience working with people with IDD and behavioral health needs (strongly preferred)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Independent and organized work skills with strong communication and writing skills necessary
• The ability to work cooperatively as a clinical team member
• Handles unexpected situations by responding effectively to challenges, deadlines and emergencies.
• Interprets relevant information to resolve problems. Effectively balances considerations and alternatives to make sound decisions.  
• Responds to people supported needs promptly, accurately and with courtesy and respect.
• Ability to provide counseling services to people supported
• Represents the organization in a positive and appropriate manner to outside resources.
• Supports the mission and values of S:US and draws attention to behavior that undermines group effectiveness or is inconsistent with core values.
• Ability to work effectively/ positively with persons supported, families, and staff from diverse backgrounds.

Services for the UnderServed (S:US) believes every New Yorker has the right to lead a life of purpose. Since 1978, S:US has been turning this belief into reality by advocating for people with life circumstances marked by homelessness, intellectual/developmental disability, behavioral health and addiction challenges, poverty, criminal justice involvement, and trauma. Our dedicated workforce of 2,400 provides services and supports to transform the lives of 35,000 individuals and families in New York City and Long Island.