Behavior Therapist (St. Paul, MN)

Behavior Therapist

Job Title Behavior Therapist MHP Reports To Clinical Manager Supervising Therapist Position Status Hourly Work Days Monday through Friday Work Hours 9-5 30 Position Description The role of the Behavior Therapist is to provide one to one instruction using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques in a center or community based setting with preschool to school aged children with diagnosed moderate to severe disabilities primarily autism. The Behavior Therapist s goal is to assist in providing a well-organized smooth functioning environment in which all children can take full advantage of the instructional program and available resource materials and teaching. Position Requirements Education and or Experience Master s degree in a psychology related field. Bachelor s degree plus 2 000 hours working with children under age 18 with disabilities. High school diploma plus 6 000 hours working with children under age 18 with disabilities. Experience with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) methodology preferred. Position Qualifications To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be at least 18 years of age. Must possess a valid driver s license and insurance. Cooperates successfully as a member of a team. Communicates effectively with others including giving and receiving feedback on the quality of services. Meet any specific content area requirements. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Effective oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated capability to interface and maintain effective relationships with staff consultants in a team-oriented environment. Capacity to assume responsibility for own professional development. Detail oriented logical and methodological approach to problem solving. Flexible with the ability to work in a highly demanding stressful environment. Proficiency using word-processing system. Language Skills Ability to read and speak English proficiently. Somali or other languages are a plus. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Regular requirement to talk hear and see. Frequent requirements to stand walk jump run sit use hands to handle or feel reach with hands and arms and stoop kneel crouch or crawl. Occasionally lift and or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision requirements include the ability to see at close range. Fine hand manipulation. Ability to work at multiple agency locations if necessary. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations maybe made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Center or community based setting. Outdoor activities and exercise. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high. Duties & Responsibilities Interact With Children Instruct and supervise children in activities Teach children basic to advanced skills using ABA techniques Work with individual children or small groups of children to reinforce new skills initially introduced throughout the duration of the therapy session Devise and implement special strategies for reinforcing skills based Job Description Behavior Therapist on the special needs and abilities of each child. Assist with critical daily activities such as transition times mealtimes and toileting diapering. Utilize appropriate language interactions and positive discipline. Model positive behavior. Implement age appropriate activities that support the methods Supervising therapists suggest Implement and model family style eating during meal times. Continuously monitor children to ensure safety at all times Assess Children Take pictures and maintain anecdotal notes written observations and other approved forms of documentation and data for each child when instructed to do so by Clinical Manager. Curriculum Preparation Develop age appropriate individualized activities for breaks and down time in conjunction with Clinical Manager. Assist Supervising Therapist to prepare activities that support individual needs of each child. Communicate With Parents As a parent advocate help resolve issues or concerns that are raised by parents and staff with the assistance of Supervising Therapists Inform parents about daily routine daily progress expectations and other pertinent information. Communicate with parents about incidents that have been observed and or recorded during sessions. Obtain all required parental signatures such as on all incident reports and daily sign in sheets. Documentation Complete all necessary paperwork for sessions including data collection sheets and daily progress sheets in a timely manner. Maintain accurate and up to date progress notes for all children worked with on a daily basis. Administration Work closely with Supervising Therapist and Clinical Manager. Actively participate in meetings which may include Supervising Therapists Clinical Manager and other staff. Job Description Behavior Therapist Participate in team meetings and training. Communicate and share ideas and concerns with Clinical Manager. Assist in completing required documentation. Facility Maintenance Help to maintain a clean and organized learning environment. Sanitize all surfaces equipment and toys and materials when necessary Assist with routinely checking materials to ensure they are in good repair in order to conduct effective therapy sessions.