DSP - Lead Behavior Support Professional (New Starting Wage!)

DSP - LEAD BEHAVIOR SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

Classification: At-Will, Regular, Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Benefits: Paid Vacation, Paid Sick, 11 Paid Holidays, Group Health/Dental/Vision Insurance, Group Life Insurance, Voluntary Life Insurance, Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Enhanced Employee Assistance Program and Travel Assistance. 

Wage: $27.50 to 29.60/Hour Starting DOE

Position Description:

Under the direction and guidance of the Specialized Administrator/House Manager, the Lead Behavior Support Professional is responsible for providing support to individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities with significant behavioral barriers in a specialized residential facility. Furthermore, the Lead Behavior Support Professional is responsible for providing support and guidance to direct care staff (Behavior Support Professionals) to ensure the safety of staff and residents.

The Lead Behavior Support Professional must be well versed in positive behavior support principles and crisis management, modeling to fellow staff the appropriate reaction and interaction during times when residents exhibit behaviors that pose a threat to the safety of self or others. In such crises, the Lead Behavior Support Professional shall spearhead crisis response. This position requires proven judgement/decision-making skills that mitigate escalation of unwanted behaviors and negative outcomes.

The Lead Behavior Support Professional is responsible for working closely with contracted behaviorists, psychiatrists, direct staff, and nurses to ensure Individual Service Plans and Behavior Plans are followed. The Lead Behavior Support Professional shall also ensure all staff are trained in behavioral crisis intervention and assure the implementation of such techniques is within the scope of training.

The Lead Behavior Support Professional is also responsible for ensuring all staff training is complete and up to date, completing facility inspections, conducting emergency evacuation drills, monitoring Special Incident Reports (SIRs) and developing prevention plans. Additionally, she/he will be responsible for conducting and updating risk assessments for the residents served and developing plans to mitigate risk.

The Lead Behavior Support Professional will act as a lead staff while working their shift. They will help dictate what is occurring during various shifts and assign duties to staff as appropriate. They will observe staff working with residents in all facets of their life from hygiene tasks to working on skill-building goals. With the clients ISPs and behavioral plans in mind, they will instruct staff on improvements that could be made to their interactions with clients. The Lead Behavior Support Professional will also generate a weekly report on daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly checks to be determined by the Administrator. and provide the Administrator with weekly reports.

Due to the extent of physical behaviors exhibited by residents, the Behavior Support Professional understands the inherent risk of personal injury. Therefore, it is highly important for the BSP to adhere to all safety and preventative measures and training.

Las Trampas School, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by State or Federal law or local ordinance.  Las Trampas School, Inc. has zero tolerance for discrimination or racism in our workplace.  We strive to create a workplace where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. 

• Must be at least 21 years of age.

• Associate's degree or higher desired (experience may be substituted for education)

  • Educational background in psychology and behaviorism or certification as a Registered Behavior Technician is preferred

  • Willingness and ability to stay current in effective behavior management techniques is required

• Two to five years experience working in a residential setting with individuals who are developmentally disabled

  • Experience with individuals who have significant behavioral concerns is preferred

• Ability to meet required state and agency standards and in-service training and education

• Ability to demonstrate strong understanding and implementation of positive behavior support principles

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to understand written and verbal directives

• Possess effective conflict resolution skills

• Competence in the use of computers and software (MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Outlook)

• Current and valid First Aid/CPR Certification

• Personal vehicle for transportation of individuals served (as needed), current and valid California drivers license, and a driving record that meets agency standard

• Adhere to personnel requirements and agency policies and procedures

• Proven leadership, mentoring, and conflict resolution skills

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities at all times.

• Respect resident desires and wishes as outlined in person-centered plans while simultaneously supporting resident health, safety, and behavioral concerns

  • Responsible for reviewing, updating, and communicating person-centered plans to fellow staff and other stakeholders

• Ensure the health and safety of residents at all times by ensuring appropriate staffing levels are met which may include providing direct services in the absence of Behavior Support Professionals.

• Maintain empathic, yet professional relationship with residents and other stakeholders

• Support and assist residents in developing skills for daily care, living, personal hygiene, and developing coping skills necessary to reduce behavioral episodes.

• Utilize, implement, and ensure that all staff comply with behavioral principles and positive behavioral supports to encourage appropriate behaviors for various settings (both in the home and in the community) while promoting an atmosphere of choice, dignity, and respect.

  • Maintain annual certification of Positive Behavioral Support training

  • Successful completion and annual recertification in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention

  • Follow Individual Service Plans (ISPs)

  • Follow Behavior Support Plans (BSPs)

  • Provide input to the administrator, behaviorist, psychiatrist, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to monitor and modify plans as needed

• Ensure that all staff comply with the administrators' policies, agency policies, and all regulations while promoting a positive work environment for staff.

• Act as a member of the interdisciplinary team when needed.

• Document and maintain accurate data on employee trainings ensuring all staff are in compliance with regulatory and agency required training.

• Act as the lead person in the event of a behavioral crisis ensuring the safety of both residents and staff through providing both residents and staff guidance and support of behavioral intervention plans.

  • Responsible for reviewing and debriefing individual behavioral episodes within one day and providing input to the Administrator, Director, and/or consultant staff on plan modifications.

• Maintain and ensure updated versions of the agency Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP) and the Emergency Disaster Plan are available to staff and ensure ongoing training on these plans are conducted with staff.

• Conduct all facility inspections, develop corrective action plans if applicable, and train staff on correction procedures.

• Conduct all emergency and evacuation drills, develop corrective action plans if applicable, and train staff on correction procedures.

• In the event of an actual emergency or behavioral crisis, act as the lead staff to ensure the safety of staff and residents.

• Review and maintain documentation of all Special Incident Reports and maintain a SIR database.

  • Develop preventative action plans for individual incidents.

  • Review the database for trends and frequencies of SIRs and develop preventative action plans.

• Ensure daily documentation, especially behavioral data, is completed by all scheduled staff and report any errors, omissions, or incomplete data to the Administrator.

• Promote effective communications between the residential home and other departments and agencies.

• Ensure there is adequate medical, maintenance, hygiene, and food supplies and/or equipment available to complete all required tasks in compliance with regulations.

• Ensure the care and safeguarding of resident property.

• Ensure the safeguarding of resident cash resources.

• Report all incidents as required by regulation and agency policy and procedures.

• Complete any other tasks as requested by the Administrator or Director of Residential Services.

Physical Requirements

With or without reasonable accommodation, the physical and mental requirement of this job may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle according to California laws and regulations

• Ability to reach with hands and arms, pushing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, frequent sitting, standing, and walking may be required for long periods of time

  • May require running, climbing stairs, walking up inclines, or on uneven terrain

• Physical ability to lift 50 pounds and perform a two-person transport position and the team control position for individuals exhibiting behavioral episodes that threaten the safety and welfare of self or others

• Visual acuity required for the use of computers and reading materials

• Ability to hear, speak, and write clearly