Behavior Specialist

External Description

Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career while working with an extraordinary team? At Merakey, we put heart and soul into everything we do. We are seeking a Behavior Specialist to join our team at our program in Philadelphia, PA.

Earn: $ hour.

The Behavior Specialist Will:

• Implement, develop, and monitor individualized behavior support programs that aim to replace challenging behaviors with functionally equivalent behaviors, while presenting guidelines for antecedent strategies that provide social, emotional, and environmental interventions. These programs will provide consequential approaches to address challenging behaviors in the least restrictive manner.
• Design and distribute data recording instruments germane to the target behaviors identified in the individualized behavior support programs.
• Monitor the implementation of the individualized behavior support programs and revise as needed.
• Obtain and keep current individual and designated contacts consents.
• Participate in all Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) meetings.
• Present individualized behavior support programs to review committees (Human Rights Committee and Behavior Management Review Committee) and review the committees’ recommendations with the IDT.
• Train staff to correctly implement individualized behavior support programs.
• Monitor behavioral data by collecting and compiling Maladaptive Behavior Records for all applicable individuals at the applicable houses or facilities and day program at least once a month or more frequently if indicated.
• Complete Quarterly and Annual program reviews
• Regularly train staff on individualized behavior support programs and other clinically significant topics ( Emergency Safety Interventions, Positive Approaches to Challenging Behaviors)
• Implement and analyze behavioral observations related to individualized behavior support programs’ fidelity and staff engagement.
• Meet with or counsels’ individuals as needed or requested.
• Present behavioral data at IDT meetings, including psychotropic medication reviews.
• Attend psychotropic medication reviews, obtain psychotropic medication consents, and ensure that psychiatric diagnosis and current psychotropic medications are reflected in the individualized behavior support programs.
• Travel to residences, day program, and particular community outings for the purpose of behavioral observations, staff training, and/or IDT meetings.
• Collaborate regularly with the individual and the other members of their IDT, including family members.
• Participate in ongoing individualized and group supervision with the Director of Clinical Services.
• Compliance to and facilitation of all recommendations made during supervision.
• Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) of presenting issues.

Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

Benefits

Merakey offers medical, dental - vision insurance plans, competitive compensation plans and more!

• DailyPay
• Work/Life Balance
• Flexible Schedules
• Cell Phone Discount Plans
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Membership

About Merakey

Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!

Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or a related field AND a minimum of one year experience working with individuals who have an Intellectual Disability (ID) and mental health diagnosis.
• Basic understanding of maladaptive behavioral functions.
• Ability to compile and interpret raw behavioral data and perform basic statistics to determine the effectiveness of the individualized behavior support program.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and comply with predetermined time limitations.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary setting (with physicians, nurses, direct staff, etc.)
• Driver’s licenses and reliable transportation.