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Behaviour Specialist
Applications are invited for the above full-time permanent position.
The Organisation:
Stewarts Care is a long-established voluntary organisation providing comprehensive community-based services to people with intellectual disability in the West Dublin area.
We support people with a wide range of support needs across residential settings, day services, supported independent living, job advocacy and vocational training.
Purpose of the Post:
The purpose of this post is to provide specialist expertise in the area of behaviours of concern to adults in Stewarts. The post holder will work a key member of a multi-disciplinary team providing a patient centred and quality service.
Candidates must meet the following criteria relevant to the role:
• Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst preferred but not essential with two years’ experience in a similar role.
• Hold a higher qualification in the area of behavioural assessment and intervention e.g., MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis, Diploma in Applied Psychology of Learning Disability (Challenging Behaviour).
• Evidence of participation in continued professional development.
• Holds a full clean driving license and access to a car.
• Demonstrates competence and capability of undertaking the duties attached to the office.
Salary and qualifications are in accordance with Department of Health consolidated pay scales. Salary Scale Social Care Leader €51,666 –€60,336 per annum.
Detailed job description is available on our careers page here https://www.stewartscare.ie/about/careers. Campaign Ref: SC078
Applications should apply through our Careers Portal by clicking here
Closing date: 9th June 2023
All queries in relation to this post should be emailed to recruitment@stewartscare.ie
Applications will be short-listed based on the information supplied.
A panel may be formed, from which future permanent and temporary positions may be filled.
Stewarts Care Ltd is an Equal Opportunities Employer
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Job Description Behaviour Specialist
Role
Behaviour Specialist
Duration of Post
Permanent Contract Full Time Position.
Location
Assigned Designated Centres and Day Service.
Reporting Relationship
Director of Nursing.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this post is to provide specialist expertise in the area of behaviours of concern to adults in Stewarts. The post holder will work a key member of a multi-disciplinary team providing a patient centred and quality service.
Scope of the Role
To provide expertise in the area of positive behaviour support and work as part of the Behaviour Support Team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
• To provide specialist knowledge, expertise and care to service users whom display behaviours of concern, require support in achieving their goals and would benefit from behavioural supports in improving their quality of life.
• To conduct Functional Behavioural Assessments to identify the required supports for the service user.
• To develop and implement function based Positive Behaviour Support interventions to positively impact upon the lives of service users.
• To monitor service users, evaluate outcomes and adjust care practise and support interventions to ensure optimum service co- ordination and delivery of care.
• To evaluate and develop professional scope of practice through ongoing evaluation and monitoring of the role.
• To attend multidisciplinary meetings and work with the multidisciplinary clinical team to meet the needs of service users.
• Effectively manage their time and caseload to meet changing and developing service needs.
• Contribute where appropriate to the development and review of policies and procedures, which comply with agreed best practice.
• Provide training and education to support staff in the area of behaviours of concern as appropriate
• Other duties as deemed necessary by the Director of Nursing to ensure care, welfare, safety, and security of all service users.
• Support in the development of a strategic plan for the Behaviour Support Team
• Participate in the restrictive practice committee, with a clear commitment to reducing restrictive practices and taking the least restrictive alternative.
Clinical Focus
• The Behaviour Specialist must have strong client focus which subscribes to the overall purpose, functions and professional ethics and standards.
• The role will require direct care (assessment, planning and delivery of behaviour support) and indirect care (Through consultation and training that influence care).
• Ensure that all Behaviour Support Plans are of the highest quality, are compliant with all regulatory standards and are evidence based.
• Ensure that skills, knowledge and expertise of the Behaviour Support Team remains current.
• Promote and support a comprehensive understanding and use of effective Positive Behaviour Support principles and effective differential reinforcement procedures across the service
• Stay current with the latest Behaviour Analytical research and ensuring that Behaviour Analytical principles and techniques are being applied appropriately throughout the service.
• To be a key support to the Mental Health team, providing expert knowledge and guidance on behaviour support approaches
Client Advocacy
• The Behaviour Specialist role involves communication, negotiation and representation of the service user’s values and decisions in collaboration with other health care workers and community resource providers.
• Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to service users participating in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of care provisions.
• Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the service user.
• Proactively challenge any interaction which fails to deliver a quality service to service users.
Audit & Research
• The Behaviour Specialist must audit and participate in developing appropriate data bases of clinical information to ensure adequate planning and utilisation of resources in support of persons in Stewarts with behaviours of concern.
• Maintain awareness within the speciality of current developments in behaviours of concern.
• The Behaviour Specialist will attend internal and external training appropriate to collaborate and network with other Specialists and groups working in the area of positive behaviour support.
• Ensure that accurate documentation and record keeping is maintained.
Involvement in Care
• Assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care for the person with behaviours of concern in Stewarts. Designing behaviour support plans for individual service users.
• Collaborate with the clinical team to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care that addresses the supports required for the person.
• Design behaviour support plans for individual service users presenting with behaviours of concern.
• Work as part of the MDT, particularly Psychiatry, Psychology and Nursing to ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach to care for persons who display behaviours of concern.
• Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation of current practice and new initiatives.
• Provide specialist knowledge, expertise and care in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team.
Risk Assessment
• Ensuring the assessment of clinical and environmental risks are discussed and developed in consultation with the MDT and the Risk Manager.
Qualifications& Experience
Candidates must meet the following criteria relevant to the role:
• Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst preferred but not essential with two years’ experience in a similar role.
• Hold a higher qualification in the area of behavioural assessment and intervention e.g., MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis, Diploma in Applied Psychology of Learning Disability (Challenging Behaviour).
• Evidence of participation in continued professional development.
• Holds a full clean driving license and access to a car.
• Demonstrates competence and capability of undertaking the duties attached to the office.
Competencies,
Skills and Knowledge
Communication and Relationship Building
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Understands other stakeholders’ agenda’s and needs and uses this to build mutually beneficial relationships
• Has experience of building positive relationships across all Stakeholder Groups
• Has effectively managed difficult relationships or issues with stakeholder groups.
• Has the ability to communicate constructively in situations where there is conflict.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively with family members and to promote communication aligned with the Service Users wishes and preferences.
Leadership
• Resilience, positive attitude and openness to change.
• Proven ability to coach staff and support them in the delivery of high-quality standards of work in their area.
• Develops talent among the team and engages knowledge sharing.
• Strong focus on achieving high standards of excellence
• Takes the lead on standards setting and implementation.
• Leads staff through changes in a positive way.
• Ability to manage conflict and devise solutions to resolve it.
• Displays an ability to delegate and set clear expectations to staff.
• Capacity to manage own workload effectively across a number of locations.
Evaluating Information, Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively deal with a wide range of information sources, investigating all relevant issues.
• Has an ability to proactively identify areas for improvement and implement solutions in a timely and effective manner.
• The capacity to anticipate problems/challenges and to recognise when to involve other parties at the appropriate time and level.
• Proven ability to make sound decisions with a well-reasoned rationale and stand by these initiatives in the resolution of complex issues.
• Continuously monitors and improve the quality of the service, through setting and meeting targets, observation and audit.
• Has an ability to proactively identify areas for improvement and implement solutions in a timely and effective manner.
Planning and Organising
• Takes account of organisational priorities to ensure that operational and strategic plans are being implemented and achieved
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities in a busy environment
• Ensures all work is delivered to a high standard and in an efficient manner.
• Has the ability to use resources effectively, challenging processes to improve efficiencies where appropriate.
• Effectively manages and prioritises workload in a reactive environment.
• Adopts a proactive forward planning approach to service delivery in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
This is not an exhaustive list of duties. You may be required to perform any other such duties as may be assigned by your manager or person nominated by them. As the duties and responsibilities of any post in Stewarts are likely to change with on-going needs of services users, staff are expected to have high level of flexibility and a willingness to develop new approaches to their work.
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Behaviour Specialist
Remuneration
Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health (DOH) consolidated pay scales.
Current Salary Scale:
Social Care Leader € 51,666 –€60,336
Salaries and increments are paid in accordance with DOH scales.
Annual leave
To be agreed at time of offer depending on experience
Working week
The hours allocated to this post are 35 hours per week exclusive of lunch breaks
The allocation of these hours will be at the discretion of the Director of Nursing or a person nominated by them and in accordance with the needs of the service.
Probation
All employees will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months, with an extension if required to 9 months. This probationary period applies to all employees irrespective of their role or type of role.
Garda Vetting
Stewarts Care will carry out Garda vetting on all new employees. An employee will not take up employment with the organisation until the Garda Vetting process has been completed and the organisation is satisfied that such an appointment does not pose a risk to the service users and employees.
References
Stewarts Care will seek up to two written references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisation with which the candidate has been associated. Stewarts Care reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.