DSHS BHHA Psychology Associate

Overview

DSHS BHHA - Psychology Associate

The Behavior Specialist is a member of the Behavioral Health Habilitation Administration (BHHA), State Operated Community Residential (SOCR) Team. This position is assigned to the Kitsap SOLA program and is responsible for providing psychological, behavioral analysis, and crisis intervention services, including functional assessment, and the design and implementation of positive behavioral supports to eligible BHHA clients. The role also assists in assessing and transitioning clients who are referred to the program and in building capacity and competency of BHHA staff and service providers in working successfully with clients with challenging behaviors.

The position works closely with other members of the SOCR team, regional Case Management staff, other division headquarters and Field Services staff, and contracted service providers. The position reports directly to the Program Administrator.

• Observe clients and residential staff in clients’ homes to consult on behavioral issues.
• Conduct and write functional behavior assessments of clients with challenging behaviors.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate positive behavior support plans for clients with challenging behaviors.
• Provide professional oversight of behavior support services for clients with a focus that includes, but is not limited to, mental health challenges, autism, dementia, substance abuse and traumatic brain injury.
• Direct positive interventions and strategies for clients to decrease aggressive, destructive, and sexually inappropriate or other behaviors that compromise their ability to remain in the community and to increase pro-social and adaptive functioning.
• Identify needs, available resources, and gaps in services available to assist individuals managing and mitigating behaviors that put the individuals at risk of losing community-based housing/services.
• Utilize Therapy and/or other data systems to collect, graph, and analyze data regarding the effectiveness of treatment plans.
• Assist with crisis interventions and collaborative team building through the state by being available to consult with BHHA Field Services staff; assist with Cross Systems Crisis Plans for clients as needed.
• Review Exception to Rule (ETR) and Exception to Policy (ETP) requests related to restrictive procedures and provide recommendations.
• Actively participate in regular meetings with SOCR management teams.
• Coordinate as needed with mental health experts and other professionals in providing needed services to clients.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of consultation and technical assistance provided through follow up activities.
• Stay current on national trends and innovations in community-based care with specific emphasis on positive behavior supports.
• Provide training, tools, and technical assistance to SOLA to improve the quality of positive behavior support services in community-based settings.
• Model interventions described in PBSPs.
• Use evidence-based practices to provide instruction on defining and measuring behavior, identifying antecedents, principles of reinforcement, teaching new behaviors, and mitigating challenging behaviors.
• Provide consultation and support to clients and their families.

• We Are Searching For Professionals With

A master’s degree in psychology from an accredited school or department of psychology.

Candidates will have a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience as a psychology associate/behavioral specialist working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Experience with Applied Behavior Analysis and/or being credentialed as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA), or current license to practice as a counselor or clinical social worker is strongly preferred.

• Apply principles of applied behavior analysis and best practices in the treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Obtain the cooperation, understanding, and participation of a broad range of team members in the development and implementation of psychological services, supports, and programs.
• Develop and conduct effective training to family members, service providers, and others in a variety of formats.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing with management, peers, facility staff, clients, client families, and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position.
• Safeguard sensitive and confidential information and documents and maintain confidentiality regarding client information.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity.
• Work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team setting.
• Identify issues of a serious and/or sensitive nature that need to be reported to supervisor/chain of command.
• Collect data, analyze, and make thoughtful revisions to Positive Behavior Support Plans that result in successful changes.
• Able to multi-task in a…