SAP Behavioral Intervention Specialist

Description

Position Summary:

The Behavioral Intervention Specialist (BIS) assists in the implementation of approved Student Assistance Program (SAP) strategies, including leading activities, training, and supportive educational groups; develops and maintains school and community networks and educational programs; collaborates with school site staff and other agencies as needed; and performs other related duties as required. This position works under a licensed professional and implements various non-therapeutic aspects of mental health services, such as rehabilitating activities of daily living (ADL). The BIS provides immediate guidance and encouragement to assist, support, and redirect the student in immediate crisis situations. The position also provides prevention services such as anger management and socialization groups for students with issues who do not qualify for mental health services.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Interview and screen prospective clients to determine client needs.

2. Facilitates client intake paperwork and referrals.

3. Assists individuals or groups to recognize and improve home, family, or community conditions contributing to mental health issues.

4. Develop and maintain lines of communication with other agencies, CFS, Probation, DBH, and community-based Organizations.

5. Provides short-term crisis intervention to resolve the immediate problems and make appropriate referrals for further interventions.

6. Assists licensed/pre-licensed professional staff in assessments and treatment planning; implements specific aspects of the Plan of Care under supervision and utilizes Rehab/ADL and Collateral to implement approved interventions in the school setting.

7. Provides prevention services at the school sites such as facilitating groups and classroom presentations.

8. Assists with completing the SAP Bi-Annual Progress Report by submitting data and outcome measures via monthly summary reports or spreadsheets.

9. Provides and charts all Medi-Cal services in the client record as required by DBH, the Outpatient Charting Manual, and the Scope of Practice Manual within the time frames required by the Electronic Health Record (EHR).

10. Work a flexible schedule, with the ability to offer In-Person services to clients in the local school district or out in the field during regular working hours.

11. Using the schedule for the program, be available to address the regular and emergency needs of the clients and offer support for an in-person response during regular working hours.

12. Attends all training (both internal and external) as required by the contractor, the Clinical Supervisor, or other LSSSC management.

13. Meet and maintain specific program target productivity goals as assigned. Manage workload to meet program target goals by the end of each month and the fiscal year.

14. Engages in opportunities for professional development to cultivate skills and knowledge of current research and practices for the program.

15. Maintain a clean and organized work environment.

16. Meet all requirements and regulations delineated in the Employee Handbook.

17. Provide other services designated by and only with prior approval of the Clinic Director.

18. Advocate for the program by providing outreach to family members and the community.

19. As a full-time employee working on the Bear Valley Unified School District (BVUSD) calendar, participate in all LSSSC observed holidays, regardless of school schedule.

20. Pay will not be provided for an LSSSC-recognized holiday if the employee is not scheduled to work the day of the holiday. (Refer to the current employee handbook for details.)

21. Maintain Health Insurance Premiums during extended leave from work, i.e., the school summer break. The employee is responsible for their share of the health insurance premiums. If payment is not made promptly, health insurance may be canceled. Plan with HR prior to the start of summer leave to maintain health benefits. (Refer to the current employee handbook for details.)

22. Incorporate the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiatives to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of school-age children.

Competency:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Problem-Solving - Identifies and resolves problems promptly; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem-solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.

Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

Safety and Security - Observe safety and security procedures; Determine appropriate action beyond guidelines; Report potentially unsafe conditions; Use equipment and materials properly.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the required knowledge, skill, and ability. Reasonable accommodation may be arranged to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education/Experience:

Applicants must possess an A.A., B.A., or B.S. related to the field (e.g., psychology, applied behavioral analysis, child and adolescent development, social sciences, etc.). Alternatively, an applicant may have extensive experience working with youth facing emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges and providing behavioral health-related services such as interviewing, risk prevention, supportive groups, and referrals. Psychiatric Technician courses and Alcohol and Drug Certificate courses are acceptable. An applicant must demonstrate a capacity to provide culturally responsive care.

General Qualifications:

• Willingness to be open to learning and growing.

• Maturity of judgment and behavior.

• Maintains high standards for work areas and appearance.

• Attends work and shows up for a scheduled shift on time with satisfactory regularity, considering LSSSC time and attendance policy and client operating hours.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status)

Skills/Aptitude:

• Ability to present self in a highly professional manner to others and understand that honesty and ethics are essential.

• Ability to maintain a positive attitude.

• Ability to communicate with co-workers and other departments with professionalism and respect.

• Ability to maintain a professional relationship with all co-workers, vendor representatives, directors, specialists, customers, and client representatives.

• Ability to provide clear directions and respond accordingly to employees.

• Must have essential phone and computer skills (email, texting, etc.).

• Good attention to detail.

• Ability to work well under pressure.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Excellent management and organizational skills.

• Ability to work well alone and in a team.

Language Ability:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of an organization.

Communication:

Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with clients and staff.

Math Ability:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability: 

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. 

Computer Skills: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office software and Excel Spreadsheet software. Certificates and Licenses: Current license or intern status, in good standing, as a therapist in the State of California. A valid California driver's License to drive on Interstates, Other Arterials, Collectors, and Local roads. Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities. 

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing this job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Generally, in an indoor setting, however, they may participate in outside activities and events. The schedule includes evenings, holidays, weekends, and extended hours as business dictates. 

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The employee must regularly lift and move up to 35 pounds and occasionally lift/move 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands and fingers to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. Additional work conditions may be explicitly added to the work location.