Behavior Specialist II - Eating Disorder Program

About the role

SHIFT: Day (United States of America)

Seeking Breakthrough Makers

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers countless ways to change lives. Our diverse community of more than 20,000 Breakthrough Makers will inspire you to pursue passions, develop expertise, and drive innovation.

At CHOP, your experience is valued; your voice is heard; and your contributions make a difference for patients and families. Join us as we build on our promise to advance pediatric care-and your career.

CHOP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, or any other legally protected categories in any employment, training, or vendor decisions or programs. CHOP recognizes the critical importance of a workforce rich in varied backgrounds and experiences and engages in ongoing efforts to achieve that through equally varied and non-discriminatory means.

A Brief Overview

The Behavior Specialist I is responsible for providing direct to children and adolescents with severe emotional, behavioral, social and psychiatric challenges and needs. The Behavior Specialist I provides systematic instruction to youth in order to develop their behavioral compliance, improve social and communication skills, identify and express feelings, increase on-task behavior, and expand recreation activities.

The Behavior Specialist I develops knowledge in the application of behavior modification techniques and under supervision, demonstrates these skills in conducting their responsibilities. The Behavior Specialist I carries out the treatment goals for the youth while adhering to the program systems and protocols. The Behavior Specialist I assists in the training and supervision of Behavior Assistants.

What you will do

• Under supervision and in conjunction with the clinical team, serves as the primary behavior rehabilitation specialist to assigned patients.
• In accordance with the approved master treatment plan and under the supervision of the interdisciplinary team, develops behavior modification protocols to address disturbances in behavioral, emotional and social domains of functioning.
• Under the supervision of the clinical team, identify, operationalize and track specific target behaviors that impede patient development with the support of the Behavior Specialist II, III and Lead.
• Under the supervision of the clinical team, monitors specific interventions designed to enhance the youth's development.
• Provides treatment room coordination for the implementation of program protocols and new program systems.
• Maintains the schedule of activities throughout the day.
• May demonstrate clinical/behavioral skills to Behavior Assistants.
• Under supervision, participates in patient assessment and treatment.
• Assesses behavioral/ emotional challenges and needs.
• Assesses social skills and emotional skills and social and emotional skill deficits.
• Assesses relevant family/systems issues.
• Provides active training and systematic social and emotional skills instruction to groups of children throughout the course of the children's day.
• Serves as a resource to Behavior Assistants.
• Maintains appropriate documentation and functional outcome measures for assigned patients.
• Timely and appropriate documentation in the patient medical record, under the supervision of Behavior Specialist II, III and Lead.
• With guidance of team, production of written behavior treatment protocols.
• Collect and graphically display data on patient goals and target behaviors.
• Present progress and evaluation of data for the team during behavior and clinical rounds.
• Writes discharge summary at the conclusion of the patient's day treatment course with support of the Behavior Specialist III and Lead.
• Maintains a safe therapeutic and hazard free environment.
• Provides daily transportation services to youth in the program as first line of coverage.
• Assists Behavior Assistants with maintaining all necessary and updated documentation for the vehicles and for the youth who are transported.
• Provides close supervision to youth during classroom and program activities to maintain safety and clinical integrity of the group milieu.
• Demonstrates and provides a clearly delineated series of non-violent crisis interventions strategies to facilitate improved child functioning.
• Only as a last resort, when other less restrictive measures have failed to maintain safety, demonstrates and utilizes Non-violent Physical Crisis Intervention.
• Provide ongoing assessment of the child when they require a restrictive procedure and access the clinical staff for guidance through the crisis.
• Participates in training/education of patient, family and other relevant caregivers/service providers.
• Participates in the design and implementation of recommended assessment, and treatment protocols.
• Translates protocols into recommendations that are easily understood and are feasible to implement by caregivers.
• Evaluates safe and effective demonstration of acquired skills by family and other caregivers.
• Assists in orientation of Behavior Assistants.
• Provides coverage for Learning Specialists and Behavior Assistants in their absence.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree psychology, social work, education or similar field of study - Required

Experience Qualifications

• At least one (1) year working with youth with emotional, behavioral, social or psychiatric challenges or differences - Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of typical and atypical child development and related areas. (Preferred proficiency)
• Knowledge of behavioral methodology and principles. (Preferred proficiency)
• Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing in English. (Required proficiency)
• Computer skills including familiarity with word processing, spreadsheet and database programs. (Required proficiency)
• Critical analysis and problem solving skills. (Preferred proficiency)
• Ability to work collaboratively with other health care team providers. (Required proficiency)

Licenses and Certifications

• CPI Training - Crisis Prevention Institute - within 3 months - Required

Additional information

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must receive an annual influenza vaccine.

Salary Range

$53,000.00 - $66,300.00 Annually

Salary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.

At CHOP, we are committed to fair and transparent pay practices. Factors such as skills and experience could result in an offer above the salary range noted in this job posting. Click here for more information regarding CHOP's Compensation and Benefits.