ABA Behavioral Health Technician (10 Month Position)

SUBSIDIARY: The Center for Autism (CFA) 

PROGRAM: ABA/CENTER FOR AUTISM

ROLE TYPE:  Full-Time (10 Months )

LOCATION: CFA's West Philadelphia site - 4601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Provides individualized, one-to-one ABA support to children/adolescents with behavioral disorders across all settings (school, home, community, and/or clinic) during the school year. Summers are per diem at the discretion of the BHT.  The BHT who is providing ABA services will implement individualized behavioral interventions based on the treatment plan goals created by an ABA Behavior Consultant (BC-ABA).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Fosters a positive therapeutic relationship with the child.


• Follows the treatment plan goals and interventions utilizing the ABA program designed by the BC-ABA and seeks out consultation when needed.


• Prompts safe and socially acceptable replacement behaviors in order to build a repertoire of communication, social interaction, and problem-solving skills, and fades prompts appropriately to promote independent use of the replacement behaviors.


• Increases the frequency or duration of safe and appropriate replacement behaviors by providing access to reinforcement.
  Accurately collects behavior data, including:

A-B-C, count, frequency, duration, latency, inter-response time, event, and interval-based recording.

• Provides input and feedback that contributes to the development of the treatment plan.


• Provides crisis management and support to clients, including prevention, de-escalation, and processing of strategies to support improved client functioning. 


• Actively engages and coaches the client and their caregivers and/or teachers (as well as other adult supports) to work toward the achievement of treatment goals, applying a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions.


• Adheres to CASSP principles of being child-centered, family-focused, community-based, multi-system, culturally competent, and least restrictive/least intrusive, and incorporates these principles through treatment. 


•  Attends supervision and training as directed and follows the service contract. If the staff is assigned 20+ hours, they are responsible for 1 hour of supervision per week; below 20 hours, they are responsible for ½ hour of supervision per week.


• Adheres to regulations regarding further professional development. Complete all of the mandatory trainings required to maintain compliance with the agency's expectations and guidelines.


• Ensures compliance with PHMC’s policies and procedures, including confidentiality and mandated reporting.


• Contributing to the Team.


• Participates in regular meetings with staff to ensure priorities are clear, coordination is good, and communications are open. Develops additional methods for ongoing effective communication.


• Cooperates and communicates as a multi-disciplinary staff team member through formal meetings, informal consultations, and committee participation.


•  Models traits of a responsible team member, executing job responsibilities, open communication, good follow-through; supports team members to do the same.


• Responds promptly to the concerns and interests of the clients, parents, guardians, funding entities, and other PHMC staff. 

 Trauma-Informed Behavior:

• Demonstrates commitment to being trauma-informed and maintaining a therapeutic environment and community that promotes safety and nonviolence as the basis for all we do with clients and staff.


• Demonstrates knowledge and utilization of trauma-informed practices, including emotional intelligence, effective communication, understanding of the impact of trauma on development, strengths-based and person-centered practice, resilience focus, and commitment to growth and change. 

Administrative Activities

Ensures compliance with all PHMC’s policies and procedures, including confidentiality and acting as a mandated reporter in accordance with the law, policies, and procedures.
Implements all documentation requirements; reports are complete, thorough, timely, and follow the prescribed format. Ensures staff do the same.
Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE/REQUIREMENTS:

• 1+ years of direct care experience or supervised practice.


• Completed 40-hour Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification training curriculum before hire or within 6 months of start date.


• Completed the RBT Competency Assessment before hire or within 12 months of employment under the supervision of a qualified BCBA and annually thereafter.


• Understanding of theory and implementation of behavior modification interventions.
  Knowledge of crisis management techniques.

Skills:

• Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with a wide variety of people, including other team members and management.


• Ability to quickly form trusting relationships with the child/adolescent population based on understanding of developmental process and emotional needs.


• Ability to form effective working relationships with diverse clients, school staff, family members, and stakeholders.


• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.


• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.


• Demonstrates initiative, problem-solving, and follow-through.


• Ability to independently assess and record data to report behavioral outcomes and intervention results to the treatment team.


• Knowledge, application, and adherence to CASSP principles.


•  Ability to effectively and independently communicate treatment objectives and interventions to youth, family, school staff, and other treatment team members.

 EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

Must meet one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, sociology, education, criminal justice, or a related human service field


• Bachelor’s degree in any field with at least 1 year of experience in a job that involved direct contact with children/adolescents


• Associate degree, or 60 credits toward a bachelor’s degree, with at least 3 years of full-time paid work experience in direct care work with children or adolescents


• High school diploma or equivalent and completion of 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)

Salary:  Competitive salary based on experience.  Excellent benefits package.

The above statements describe the general nature of the work being performed by the individual assigned to this position.  This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically described in this description. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

TRAINING: 

In accordance with the state, CFA has developed a training plan for all staff. Written plans and annual training requirements are updated annually for each staff person and based on their educational level, experience, job functions, and performance reviews, all in accordance with state regulations. 

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.