Behavioral Intervention Specialist - Brooklyn at Independent living Association, Inc – Brooklyn, New York

Function/Skills:

To provide psychological services in your assigned IRA residence.

• Assess consumer functioning by reviewing standardized instruments such as adaptive behavior scales and IQ tests. Assess informally via record reviews, staff interviews and behavioral observation on an ongoing basis. The process includes arranging for standardized testing to be administered as needed.
• Report to the IDT the findings and recommendations based on the above assessment. Report to the IDT consumer progress or lack thereof at scheduled team meetings.
• Based on team review and recommendation develop behavioral treatment plans, monitoring plans, and behavior guidelines/protocols; and regularly perform staff in-services to ensure proper implementation of these plans.
• Monitor consumer progress via formal review of behavioral data and incidents, and discuss the treatment team at monthly IDT meetings, and at the individuals ISP meetings. The latter must include a semi-annual report that adheres to the current agency format. Develop special data collection systems beyond ABC charts in the case of specific and unusual consumer needs.
• Train staff on each individual’s psychological profiles and needs above and beyond the regular training regarding behavior plans and data collection. Follow up on group training via the direct observation of individual staff performance. Specific staff observations may be done at the request of the IDT, the administration or the Incident Review Committee.
• Act as the primary advocate for the individuals to all outside providers of mental health or behavioral services, including psychiatry. With regard to psychiatric services, prepare a consult for each appointment specifying the individual’s current mental and behavioral status. These consults should also include team recommendations regarding medication when appropriate.
• Attendance at regularly scheduled team meetings and residential staff meetings.
• Obtain informed consent for any potential consumer rights restriction including, but not limited to, the use of psycho-tropic medication or SCIP-R physical techniques. Inform the team and all other relevant parties when the necessary consents have been obtained.
• Attend monthly HRC and present individual cases at least annually to the committee for approval. Maintain an ongoing record of the proper forms at the facility for review.
• Adhere to confidentiality standards and all HIPAA practices.
• Contribute to the smooth operation of the facility and the reputation of the agency by maintaining professional behavior at all times.
• Maintain required contact in the case of any Willow brook Class Individuals with the CAB representative when appropriate.
• Maintain regular contact with the Medicaid Service Coordinator regarding psychiatric or behavioral issues.
• Maintain regular contact with the Psychology Services Coordinator regarding the individual’s psychiatric, behavioral, and human rights related issues in order to receive supervision and feedback. Be aware that this supervision and feedback could include the modification of existing responsibilities and/or the addition of new ones; depending on the changing nature of the field, State and Federal regulations, and what the agency considers to be best practice in the interests of the people we serve.
• Performs all other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Masters in Psychology or related field required.
• One to Three, (1-3) years’ experience working with the DD population. Must be computer literate, detail-oriented and have excellent verbal and written skills.