Description

DSHS BHHA Psychology Associate

The Psychology Associate in the Children’s State Operated Living Alternatives (SOLA)-West of the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) is responsible for clinical oversight to Children’s SOLA-West clients. Your responsibilities include: Conducting and writing functional behavioral assessments, designing and implementing positive behavior support intervention strategies to assist clients in the amelioration of challenging behaviors/symptoms of mental illness, writing positive behavior support plans (PBSP) for implementation by support staff; writing cross systems crisis plans, determining the need for psychological evaluations/assessments and conducting those as necessary, and training of Children’s SOLA-West staff and service providers in positive behavior support principles and techniques. You will assist in building system capacity and competency of Children’s SOLA-West staff in working successfully with children exhibiting challenging behaviors.

You'll collaborate closely with BHHA regional staff, County Mental Health Programs, The Children’s Administration, Department of Corrections, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR), and State Operated Living Alternative (SOLA).

Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs. Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.

Some of what you'll do:

Psychological Services / Positive Behavior Support Activities:

• Identify needs, available resources, and gaps in services available to assist individuals in managing and mitigating behaviors that place the individual at risk of losing community bases housing/services.
• Provide professional oversight of behavior support services for clients with a focus that includes, but is not limited to mental health challenges, autism, dementia, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injury.
• Direct positive behavior support interventions and strategies for clients to decrease aggressive, destructive, and sexually inappropriate or other behaviors that compromise their ability to remain in the community, and to increase pro-social and adaptive functioning.
• Conduct and write functional behavioral assessments for clients with challenging behaviors.
• Develop, implement, monitor, evaluate, and revise as necessary, positive support plans for clients with intellectual disabilities and/or dual diagnoses (intellectual disabilities/mental illness) in non-institutional settings to maximize adaptive behaviors and minimize the frequency, duration, and intensity of challenging behaviors.
• Utilize Therap and/or other data systems, to collect, graph, and analyze data regarding the effectiveness of psychological/behavioral treatment plans.

• Apply the principles of positive behavior support, functional assessment, and positive behavior support plan development, implementation, oversight, and evaluation.
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic psychological concepts, theories, and practices, especially as they relate to individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or mental illness.
• Apply principles of applied behavior analysis and best practices in the treatment of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Experience in providing behavioral analysis, evaluation, and review of positive behavior supports to people with intellectual disabilities.
• Experience in the successful design and implementation of effective behavioral intervention strategies to address complex behavioral issues.
• Identify support needs and plan for appropriate services for persons with intellectual disabilities.
• Teach skills to persons with intellectual disabilities.
• Obtain the cooperation, understanding, and participation of a broad range of team members in the development of effective training tools.
• Read, interpret and implement policies rules, and regulations of considerable complexity.
• Compose professionally cogent and grammatically correct correspondence, evaluations, and reports.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing with management, peers, staff, clients, families and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position.

• Preferred applicants will have a minimum of five years of professional experience as a psychology associate/behavioral specialist working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Experience with Applied Behavior Analysis and/or being credentialed as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA), or Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) is strongly preferred.

• A chronological resume.
• A letter of interest describing how your skills and experience align with this opportunity.
• Three professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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