Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Villa Maria School is currently seeking a Behavioral Specialist, who provide crisis support and proactive assistance to youth within assigned setting. Implements safety and therapeutic interventions in accordance with Trauma Informed Care (TIC), each youth’s Individual Crisis Management Plan (ICMP) and program policy.
The work schedule is Monday to Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
Villa Maria School is a 12 month program that provides educational and clinical services for children with significant emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges.
We offer multiple programs serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade in small classrooms (up to nine students) who are experiencing emotional, behavioral and learning challenges such that their local school system refers them to VMS for placement.
- Provide support to residential or school youth to ensure a safe, therapeutic environment.
- Interact with youth and model for coworkers the priniciples of Children and Residential Experiences (CARE), Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI).
- Use the CARE model to influence and guide all interactions and philosophy of support for youth, families, and colleagues.
- Assess volatile situations and deescalates problems by applying appropriate interventions including verbal de-escalation, proximity control, voice and touch control, and personal restraint.
- Apply responses that are appropriate to each youth’s Treatment Plan, ICMP, and ensures that policies and procedures of the Behavioral Treatment System are implemented appropriately.
- Counsel youth to process crisis resolution in a manner that promotes the learning of self-control and reinforces constructive problem solving. Monitors youth throughout the crisis intervention response.
- Provide guidance and support to staff by regularly consulting on prevention and de-escalation techniques.
- Assist in the orientation of new staff, particularly in the use of personal restraint techniques and the assessment of crisis situations.
- Keep staff informed of problems within the building that might impact the unit/classroom. Coordinates staff when additional personnel are required in responding to a crisis situation.
- Ensure that all personal restraints are observed by a Nurse.
Employees working in the following program(s) have responsibilities that are in addition to the above duties and responsibilities. These include, but are not limited to:
- Actively working in the classrooms to support student learning.
- High school diploma and 4 years experience with children or special populations.
TCI training within 2 months and CARE training within 3 months provided after hire.
- High level of skill in verbally de-escalating youth when they are angry, aggressive and out of control.
- Ability to relate to youth and make the environment an enjoyable atmosphere.
- Ability to act with discretion, tact, and professionalism in all situations.
- Ability to utilize, or willingness to learn computer systems and software, necessary to perform position functions (Basic computer, web browsing, online training, and email usage skills).
- Ability to meet the physical demands of the job (i.e. on feet most of the day, running, being physically active/playing with the students, etc.).
- Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind to assert safety of children.
- Hearing and vision abilities within normal range (corrected) to drive safely and to observe and communicate with others.
- Driving (Agency and/or personal vehicle) is required for this position. Driver must be at least 21 years of age, with a minimum of 2 years of driving experience, and a valid driver’s license issued by the state of residence. There can be no state issued restrictions on the licenses that would impede driver’s ability to operate the vehicle as required by the Agency, and there must not be more than three (3) points on their driving record.