Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) -Behavioral Services

Job DetailsJob Location: 31 6th Street Malone - Malone, NY 12953Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $65,587.00 - $74,855.00 SalarySummary/Objective:  The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - Behavioral Services is a key member of the interdisciplinary treatment team responsible for providing behavioral, clinical, and consultative services to individuals receiving OPWDD Community Living services.  The LCSW functions as the agency's Behavioral Intervention Specialist (BIS), providing behavioral assessment, Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), development and oversight of Behavioral Support Plans (BSPs) and Therapeutic Support Plans (TSPs), counseling, crisis intervention, staff consultation, and behavioral training. The position promotes person-centered, trauma-informed practices that enhance independence, emotional wellness, quality of life, and community inclusion while ensuring compliance with OPWDD regulations and agency standards.    Essential Functions (Job Duties):  This person in this position is a critical member of the services planning team, responsible for all aspects of behavior programming including observation, evaluation, development, implementation, monitoring and maintenance.   Essential Functions (Job Duties)    Clinical Assessment & Behavioral Services     Serve as the assigned Behavioral Intervention Specialist (BIS) for individuals receiving Community Living services.  Complete Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), behavioral analyses, psychosocial assessments, record reviews, interviews, and environmental assessments.  Develop, implement, monitor, revise, and evaluate Behavioral Support Plans (BSPs), Therapeutic Support Plans (TSPs), behavioral interventions, and individualized support strategies.  Conduct admission behavioral assessments and annual behavioral reassessments, or more frequently when clinically indicated.  Evaluate emotional, behavioral, environmental, and psychosocial factors affecting an individual's functioning.  Provide individual supportive counseling, behavioral coaching, crisis intervention, and therapeutic interventions within the LCSW scope of practice.  Identify individuals requiring psychiatric or psychological evaluation and coordinate referrals when appropriate.  Collaborate with psychiatrists, psychologists, nursing staff, rehabilitation professionals, care managers, and community providers to coordinate comprehensive services.  Participate in psychiatric consultations by providing behavioral observations, clinical recommendations, and treatment progress.  Ensure behavioral services promote dignity, self-determination, informed choice, and the least restrictive interventions possible.  Behavioral Intervention Specialist Responsibilities  Develop individualized positive behavior support strategies utilizing evidence-based practices.  Monitor implementation fidelity of Behavioral Support Plans across residential, day, vocational, and community settings.  Complete routine behavioral observations and document findings.  Review behavioral tracking systems and analyze behavioral trends.  Recommend modifications to interventions based upon behavioral data.  Ensure behavioral documentation complies with OPWDD regulations and agency standards.  Complete required behavioral progress notes according to established timelines.  Participate in incident reviews involving behavioral concerns and recommend preventative interventions.  Assist with behavioral risk assessments and crisis prevention planning.  Participate in Human Rights Committee, Incident Review Committee, Restrictive Intervention Review Committee, and other clinical committees as assigned.  Support implementation of Positive Behavior Supports and Trauma-Informed Care practices.  Monitor restrictive interventions and recommend reduction strategies whenever clinically appropriate.  Interdisciplinary Team Participation  Participate as an active member of interdisciplinary treatment teams.  Attend admissions, annual Life Plan meetings, semi-annual reviews, special team meetings, and discharge planning meetings.  Provide clinical recommendations supporting individualized outcomes and person-centered planning.  Assist teams in developing meaningful behavioral objectives and measurable outcomes.  Collaborate with Care Managers regarding behavioral recommendations and service coordination.  Training, Consultation & Staff Development  Develop and deliver employee training regarding:  Positive Behavior Supports  Trauma-Informed Care  Crisis Prevention  De-escalation Techniques  Behavioral Documentation  Motivational Interviewing  Therapeutic Communication  Emotional Regulation  Person-Centered Supports  Compassion Fatigue and Staff Resiliency  Provide coaching and consultation to supervisors and Direct Support Professionals regarding implementation of behavioral interventions.  Assess staff competency and recommend additional education or coaching as needed.  Provide education to families, guardians, and other stakeholders regarding behavioral supports and interventions.  Quality Assurance & Compliance  Ensure behavioral services comply with OPWDD regulations, Medicaid requirements, HIPAA, agency policies, and accepted clinical standards.  Maintain complete, timely, and accurate documentation.  Monitor required documentation deadlines.  Maintain confidentiality of all protected health information.  Maintain current knowledge of evidence-based behavioral interventions and best practices.  Participate in agency quality improvement initiatives.  Maintain knowledge of OPWDD regulations including Parts 624, 633, and applicable HCBS regulations.  Participate in survey preparation and regulatory audits as assigned.  Administrative Responsibilities  Maintain organized clinical records and secure storage of confidential information.  Maintain inventory of behavioral assessment materials and program resources.  Attend required meetings and mandatory trainings.  Maintain required professional licensure and continuing education.  Demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, flexibility, and ethical decision-making.  Maintain acceptable attendance and dependable work performance.  Perform additional duties as assigned.           47.  Knowledge of, and strict adherence to, the 633 regulations must be maintained. (14     CRR-NY-633.16p  - Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York,   Title 14: Department of Mental Hygiene, Chapter XIV: Office for People With Developmental    Disabilities, Part 633: Protection of Individuals Receiving Services in Facilities Operated and/or     Certified by OPWDD.)    Competencies    Highly developed ability in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of psychological tests, specifically objective, projective, and neurological test batteries.  Highly developed verbal and written communication skills.  Demonstrated skill in clinical interviewing.  Demonstrated ability in group therapy, group management, individual therapy, and family counseling.  Excellent supervisory skills to oversee the work of interns and staff assigned to the psychology lab.  Demonstrated skills in consultation and the ability to work as part of a team.  Crisis Management/Composure  Confidentiality.  Supervisory Responsibilities:  Provides clinical consultation, coaching, and mentoring to supervisors and Direct Support Professionals regarding behavioral interventions and implementation of support plans.    QualificationsRequired Education and Experience:   Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university.  Current New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license in good standing.  Preferred  Minimum two (2) years of experience working with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.  Experience conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments.  Experience developing Behavioral Support Plans.  Experience within OPWDD-certified residential or HCBS settings.  Experience providing behavioral consultation, counseling, and staff education.    Additional Requirements:  OPWDD clearance prior to employment.  Valid New York State Driver License meeting agency requirements.  Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, OPWDD regulations, Medicaid requirements, and Citizen Advocates policies.  Maintain all required licensure, certifications, and continuing education.  Position Type/Expected Hours of Work  This is a full-time position. Workweek schedule: Monday through Friday. Minimal travel required. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to travel between program locations as needed.      Hours and schedules may vary depending on Company need and workload. Employees will be given as much advance notice as possible when such changes occur.    Other Duties:  Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  Employees are required to maintain training, licenses, and certifications per regulatory and agency requirements.  Hours and schedules may vary depending on Company need and workload.  Employees will be given as much advance notice as possible when such changes occur.  Employment at Citizen Advocates is “at will”.  You are free to resign at any time and for any reason sufficient to you, just as Citizen Advocates is free to terminate your employment at any time and for any reason.  We do not guarantee continued or permanent employment.   Citizen Advocates is an Equal Employments Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.