Therapeutic Behavior Support Specialist

We offer the following competitive benefits to our valued employees:

• Pay: $20.45 plus $2.00 shift differential with a Bachelor's Degree; $21.78 plus $2.00 shift differential with a Master's Degree.
• $500 Retention Bonus ($250 after 90 days of satisfactory service; $250 after 6-months)
• Full benefits package including:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
  • 401K/403b Plan
  • Short Term Disability
  • Long Term Disability
  • Paid Vacation Days
  • Paid Sick/Personal Days
  • Child Care Discount

Who are we?

St. Joseph Children’s Home provides inclusive and compassionate care to ensure a safe home and bright future for every child in our diverse community. We do this through our core values of caring, compassion, relationships, and teamwork.

As leaders in the child and family welfare arena, St. Joe’s continues to grow through the strategic visioning of our 4 core programs: Residential Treatment Program, Therapeutic Foster Care, Child Development Center, and Behavioral Health Services. Our new Behavioral Health Services includes mental health therapy, targeted case management, and comprehensive community support services.

The annual Picnic For the Kids in August has raised over $1Million for the past two years with help from over 1,500 volunteers each year.

In 2023 the organization celebrated the Council of Accreditation’s (COA) expedited report with outstanding outcomes and zero deficiencies across all programs and departments employing approximately 180 individuals. Our 2023-2026 strategic plan focuses on Families, Community Partners, Volunteers, Staff and Governance(Board).

What do we need?

The Therapeutic Behavior Support Specialist will play a key role in assisting with crisis prevention, intervention and debriefing with clients within the Residential setting.  This position will provide one on one support and de-escalation to clients who are experiencing difficulties with emotional and behavioral regulation during the daily routine.  This role will be responsible for supporting milieu development and ensuring that the cottage environment is operating from a trauma informed lens by leading, role modeling and directing therapeutic interventions as identified on the client’s individualized treatment plan.
The Therapeutic Behavior Support Specialist will communicate with members of identified client’s treatment team to provide feedback and support.  Collaboration in the school and with external providers may also occur.  This position will also be responsible for the oversight of medication administration in all Cottages. This will ensure clients are receiving medications as prescribed, and work to reduce medication errors.

 Essential Functions:

• Provide one on one support and crisis intervention to clients who are experiencing difficulties with emotional and behavioral regulation during the daily routine.
• Leading the implementation of trauma informed interventions by role modeling, coaching and directing residential staff throughout the shift and during crises.
• Conduct crisis evaluations and incident debriefing with clients, if needed.
• Assist with supervised visitation on campus, when needed.
• Assist with implementation of regular daily routine in cottages when crisis intervention is not needed.
• Participate or provide feedback in treatment team meetings for identified clients.
• Works with other members of the treatment team, as needed, to develop individualized crisis intervention strategies based on client needs and treatment plans.
• Implements the child caring program by providing a therapeutic milieu.  Responds to clients’ needs with fairness, objectivity, firmness, care and concern.  Observes behavioral and emotional climate within the group and with each individual client and respond appropriately.
• Oversee the administration of client medication for all cottages during assigned shifts to ensure clients are receiving medication as prescribed and work to minimize medication errors.
• Collaborate with the school and external service providers, as needed.  
• Handles emergencies and other difficult situations according to policies, procedures, and training.
• Performs competently in crisis management and maintain certification in Safe Crisis Management.  Certification as an SCM trainer preferred.  Utilize these skills as needed to assure the safety of the individual clients and that staff are properly trained.
• Demonstrates a calm and professional demeanor.
• Responsible for obtaining forty (40) clock hours of requires staff development/training.  Must implement and use the tools acquired during education sessions.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in a related field required.  Master’s degree preferred. 
• Experience preferred in providing appropriate care to clients, winning their respect, guiding clients in their development and implementation of coping skills, responding to unsafe behavior in a trauma informed manner and in the participation, management, and implementation of a treatment program.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Must become certified in CPR, First Aid, Safe Crisis Management, and Defensive Driver’s training.  Certification as a Safe Crisis Management instructor preferred.
• Valid and current driver’s license with insurable driving record required in order to assist in transporting clients when necessary.

Physical Factors:

• Driving
• Standing for up to 8 hours
• Reaching above shoulder level
• Walking
• Bending
• Lifting/Carrying 50 max lbs.
• Pushing/Pulling 50 max lbs.
• Repetitive kneeling movements to and from the floor
• Sustained kneeling position for up to 10 minutes
• Supporting another participant/client’s body weight Indoor/Outdoor environment that may be at times loud and/or stressful.