Primary Function
The BHT provides one-to-one service to a single child, youth, young adult and family, supporting the individual’s adaptation in the home, school and community settings. The BHT promotes positive behavioral functioning, skill development and community integration by utilizing specific interventions that are identified in the Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP). Through teaching, modeling and coaching parents and caregivers, the BHT transfers skills, facilitating independence and improved behavioral outcomes.
Responsibilities
- Provide one-to one interventions to a child or adolescent while the caregivers are acquiring the skills necessary to manage the individual’s behavior
- Assist caregivers in promoting age-appropriate behaviors
- Help the child avoid or eliminate socially inappropriate, threatening or dangerous behavior
- Transfer the appropriate intervention to the child, family and/or teacher by working collaboratively with them
- Support caregivers in providing immediate rewards or consequences for behavior
- Provide emotional support to the child and family
- Support the child in their participation in activities identified in the treatment plan
- Supplement, but not replace less formal resources such as Big Brother/Big Sisters, child care workers and other more long-term or custodial services
- Provide interventions and activities consistent with the family’s cultural values and economic limitations
- Record data and chart the progress of the child or adolescent’s goals
- Treat the child and family with dignity, respect, sensitivity and emotional care
- Maintain confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA
- Invite the child or adolescent and family members to participate actively with treatment
- Conduct self as a professional and maintain clear boundaries
- Arrive on time and remain for the duration of the scheduled session
- Adhere to activities only identified in the treatment plan
- Reinforce parental roles and responsibilities with the child
- Highlight and verbally reinforce cooperative, respectful, age-appropriate responses by the child toward the parent
- Support parental adherence to specific protocols developed by the primary clinician for use with the child (i.e. sticker charts, Stop and Think approaches, consistency, etc.)
- Offer positive statements to the child individually
- Help the child or adolescent practice expressing him or herself to parents using techniques as directed by the primary clinician in the treatment plan
- Review with the child or adolescent the nature of and likely expectations of any activities
- Actively support the child or adolescent’s participation in the community and other settings
- Encourage the child or adolescent to identify areas of interest, competence and familiarity, which he/she can use in social conversations
Responsibilities (continued):
- Encourage the child or adolescent to ask questions and actively listen when with peers
- Encourage the child or adolescent to practice the use of social skills
- Help the child or adolescent build confidence in preparing for social interactions
- Help the child or adolescent identify specific trigger points for anger
- Help the child or adolescent identify the benefits of non-aggressive responses
- Help the child or adolescent implement a specific protocol for decision-making/de-escalation
- Cue the child or adolescent verbally, non-verbally or indirectly at the sign of escalation
- Review de-escalation plan with adults
- Utilize verbal praise
- Fulfill hours prescribed/assigned directly with the client and family
- Complete weekly paperwork, submitting by 9:00 AM Mondays
- Ensure all documentation is accurate and thoroughly completed
- Communicate effectively and professionally
- Attend and participate in weekly supervision
- Attend and participate in required trainings
- Maintain a team concept with BC and parents/caregivers
- Have current driver’s license
- Maintain current clearances: Act 33/34, FBI, Criminal Record
- Take all assigned BHT cases
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to document efficiently, professionally, and timely
- Ability to establish and maintain positive, professional relationship with clients and colleagues
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients and families
- Ability to recognize strengths of clients and families
- Knowledge of behavioral health diagnoses and Autism
- Knowledge of HIPAA
- Ability to function as a team player
- Thorough understanding of Child Protective Services Law
Minimum Qualifications:
In accordance with the Medical Assistance Manual for Intensive Behavioral Health Services (Chapter 1155), by January 1, 2021, individuals who provide Individual Services through BHT services shall meet one of the following:
- Have a certification as a BCaBA
- Have a certification as an RBT
- Have a certification as a BCAT
- Have a behavioral health certification or behavior analysis certification from an organization that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies or the American National Standards Institute.
- Have a high school diploma or the equivalent of high school diploma and have completed 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.
- Have a minimum of 2 years of experience in the provision of behavioral health services
And must have Act 33 and 34 clearances and FBI clearance within 5 years of hire date and sign the attestation form upon hire.All clearances need updated every 5 years from previous date of attainment.
