Behavioral Health Specialist

The primary functions of a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) are intended to facilitate the development of social competencies and the overall emotional development of children, youth, and young adults ages 3-21. The goal is to help the child achieve maximum overall functioning, while preventing the need for out of the home or alternative school placement. BHT services are provided to children diagnosed with a psychiatric condition and who present with significant social, emotional, developmental or behavioral problems. BHT services will be provided in an individualized manner, focusing on the child's strengths. A primary goal of the service is to build competencies that will allow the child to become more successful in their social, family and community settings. It will also be a goal to develop meaningful connections within the community in an effort to build resiliency and relationships that may have long term benefit to the child. The interventions provided by the BHT may be in the form of therapeutic, supportive and competency/skill building and vary in method/modalities. These services will take place within various settings, including in the home, community or school settings. These services will take an eco-systemic approach to establish collaborative relationships with the family and within the community and utilize all possible resources for the benefit of the child and family. The BHT will also work with all individuals to transfer skills and strategies learned back to the parents or other guardians. Reports To: Program Director.

• Engage families in the treatment process through the use of reflective listening, collaboration, empathy and consideration of cultural, ethnic, and religious beliefs. Initial focus should be on building a therapeutic relationship in hope of engaging client and effect beneficial change.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the child's individual treatment plan and crisis plan by communicating to the Behavior Consultant/Mobile Therapist any strengths, coping skills and protective factors that will enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
• Use strength-based approaches and a positive attitude in dealing with the child and family.
• Provide effective one-on-one interventions with the child/family in all identified settings noted in the treatment plan. If interventions are not effective, BHT will communicate this to the Behavior Consultant/Mobile Therapist and seek consultation.
• Show initiative by using their own ideas and working in conjunction with the Behavior Consultant/Mobile Therapist in developing therapeutic activities to be used with child and family in treatment.
• Demonstrate the ability to teach child and family specific skills and competency development. This will be evidenced by willingness and comfortability in engaging the child and family in specific activities, therapeutic interventions and community-based activities.
• Engage child/family in community activities and programs if indicated in the treatment plan. This includes exploring appropriate community activities available and communicating with the Behavior Consultant/Mobile Therapist and family.
• Engage the child in specific interventions from the treatment plan during each session.
• Request assistance in the implementation of therapeutic interventions, if unclear.
• Engage parents or other extended family members in interventions with the child to transfer skills and foster positive child/parent relations.
• Work in a team relationship with the Behavior Consultant/Mobile Therapist or other treatment providers in an effort to provide a highly collaborative treatment system. This will be evidenced by communicating on a regular basis with Behavior Consultant/Mobile Therapist the successes and failures of interventions, participating in supervision and being available for regular consultation.
• Respect the rules and policies of the institutions where the treatment will be delivered (this includes schools, daycares, community programs and the family home).
• Build a positive and collaborative relationship with the teachers and appropriate staff in the schools and programs where they are providing service.
• Engage teachers or other appropriate staff in interventions in order to transfer skills.
• Utilize the input of teachers, principals, and other appropriate staff in the schools and programs where they are providing services and communicate this to the Behavior Consultant/Mobile Therapist.
• Collect data as requested in the treatment plan BHT will communicate with the Behavior Consultant/Mobile Therapist to ensure they are collecting the most appropriate data in a meaningful way.
• Attend and participate in all required supervision sessions.
• Attend and participate in all required training sessions in order to meet state guidelines.
• Complete a daily progress report for each encounter with the child and turn in all completed paperwork within the timeframes required by ACRP.
• Maintain high quality records sufficient to meet State and MCO clinical documentation requirements that include all funding sources Progress notes and Encounter forms must be complete and turned in by Mondays at 9:00am, including holidays Billing should be reviewed prior to being turned in to director to ensure that records are accurate.
• May be required to transport the child and family when appropriate and approved by supervisor BHT will have the necessary insurance coverage and keep up to date with submitting that info to HR for their employee file.
• Adhere to the policies and standards set forth by ACRP and the employee handbook.
• Ensure they receive all agency communication by checking their email at least twice per day and responding to all forms of communication in a timely manner.
• Practice appropriate utilization of services as per the written order for each child.
• Maintain all scheduled appointments with the family and child.
• Complete required reports to Childline and other agencies involved, as necessary.
• Work in collaboration with Program Director, Clinical Supervisor, Administrative Staff and Quality Assurance Director to assist in the process of monitoring quality assurance and other protocols necessary to effectively manage programmatic aspects.

• Education/Experience:
  • Provision of behavioral health services: 2 years (required)
  • Have a certification as a BCA, BA, or;
  • Have a certification as a RBT, or;
  • Have a certification as a BCAT, or;
  • Have a behavior health certification or behavior analysis certification, or;
  • Have a high school diploma or the equivalent of a high school diploma and have completed a 40-hour training covering the RBT Task List as evidenced by a certification that includes the name of the responsible trainer, who is certified as a BCBA, or; BCABA
• Required Skills and Abilities:
  • Communication Skills transmits information clearly, in writing and/or verbally; clearly and consistently communicates with clients, supervisors, and families
  • Customer Service Skills always puts the client first
  • Problem Solving Skills demonstrates sound judgement and decision-making
  • Organizational Skills uses an organized approach to job responsibilities
  • Active Listening Skills consistently uses good active listening skills
  • Professionalism acts with professionalism and integrity in all work environments
  • Initiative takes initiative and is proactive
  • Responsive attentive/responsive to needs of internal and/or external clients
  • Ability to clearly communicate, both written and verbally
  • Ability to follow and maintain confidentiality and safety policies
• Required Clearances:
  • Act 31, 33/34 clearances
  • Valid PA Motor Vehicle Operator's license
  • All necessary child abuse clearances (PA Criminal Record Check, PA Abuse Clearance, and Federal Criminal History Clearance)
• Physical Requirements:
  • Regularly required to sit or stand, reach, bend and move about the facility
  • The ability to carry out proper restraints to prevent client from harming themselves or others. Adhere to agency's policy on restrictive behaviors.
  • The ability to see and respond to dangerous situations
  • The ability to safely go up and down stairs
  • The ability to move safely over uneven terrain or in confined spaces