Senior Intern

Senior Intern positions provide the necessary training to potentially develop into a Senior Staff position. Typically, individuals can progress from a Senior Intern to a Senior Staff as they develop and gain experience through required training. Senior Interns are responsible for assessing the client’s current level of development across the various sections of the curriculum, designing the majority of the client programs, writing the Individual Treatment Plan (under the direction of the Clinical Supervisor and Lead Therapist), and providing most of the hands-on supervision for Behavior Technicians. Senior Intern responsibilities and caseloads systematically increase as training goals are met. 

Essential Functions:
1.    Completes required office and field training toward a Senior Staff position and demonstrates mastery with training goals.
2.    Develops client-specific therapeutic treatment plans based on appropriate assessments and developmental guidelines.
3.    In conjunction with supervisory staff and caregivers, develops programs appropriate to the current and future needs of the clients. Creates programs, moves targets forward, prepares program materials, and makes procedural changes as needed.
4.    Designs and implements behavior observation systems, support plans, and intervention guidelines. 
5.    Coordinates the collection, summarization and analysis of data related to individual program goals and behavioral plans.
6.    Consults with Behavior Technicians, caregivers, and supervisory staff to ensure that programming is adequate to meet the needs of the client. 
7.    Analyzes program data to ensure appropriate progress and effectiveness.
8.    Develops and maintains weekly and monthly progress notes, reviews clinical documentation of Behavior Technicians, and updates treatment plans.
9.    Completes appropriate assessments and probes new targets to determine future goals. 
10.    Communicates with parents, guardians or other caregivers concerning behavioral and educational programming. 
11.    Supervises, orients, and trains Behavior Technicians in the implementation of programs and behavioral intervention procedures, routinely providing ongoing coaching and feedback to enhance staff development and skill. Ensures Behavior Technician is oriented appropriately to the company and follows all policies and procedures. 
12.    Evaluates Behavior Technician performance and addresses issues to ensure quality and consistency across clinical programs.
13.    Proactively addresses employee relation issues or concerns, including ongoing coaching and feedback, employee development, performance management, and if appropriate, disciplinary action.
14.    May participate in weekly clinical team meetings to discuss case progress, address Behavior Technician and caregiver concerns, review individual program plans, and recommend revisions as necessary.
15.    Provides verbal, written, and graphic communications.
16.    Consults with supervisory staff to ensure the provision of effective and efficient service delivery.
17.    Continually develops skills and knowledge in the area of behavior analysis through participation in continuing education, workshops, and required company trainings.
18.    Follows and abides by all APA ethical guidelines and appropriate policies, regulations, and laws including confidentiality and HIPAA. Adheres to mandated reporting regulations.

Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises Behavior Technician on assigned client cases. 

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to a client who exhibits physically aggressive behavior which can include kicking, pinching, punching, biting, etc. The employee may have to use appropriate behavior management techniques frequently with a client under such circumstances. Such response requires agility, quick reflexes, and the ability to use physically evasive movement. The employee will be constantly required to stand, walk, sit, grasp, reach, bend, kneel, crouch, squat, hear, type and write. In addition, the employee will be exposed to normal office conditions and usual office equipment such as phone, computer, printers, copiers, files, etc. The employee must be able to independently and repeatedly lift, move and carry objects weighing up to thirty-five (35) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include near, far, and field of vision. Speech must be spoken in a way in which others will understand. This position requires regular and punctual employee presence. 

Qualifications:
Education: 
•    A Bachelor’s Degree in a human services discipline or documentation of actively pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in a human services discipline with anticipated graduation date within six months from initiation of internship and at least 1,500 hours of training or supervised experience in the use of behaviorally based therapy models consistent with best practice and research on the effectiveness for children with autism spectrum disorders who meet all criteria to receive this service, OR
•    A Bachelor’s Degree in a non-human services discipline and actively pursuing either a BCaBA, BCBA, or a Master’s Degree in a human services discipline with graduation/certification date within six months from initiation of internship, and at least 1,500 hours of training or supervised experience in the use of behaviorally based therapy models consistent with best practice and research on effectiveness for children with autism spectrum disorders who meet all criteria to receive this service, OR
•    A Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) with a minimum of 400 hours of hands-on training in providing ABA services directly to children and/or adults with autism under the supervision of a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst who has at least two years of experience in ABA programming for individuals with autism, OR
•    Legal authorization to perform psychotherapy, with a Master’s Degree in one of the behavioral sciences who has at least 400 hours of training or supervised experience in the use of behaviorally-based therapy models consistent with best practice and research on effectiveness for children with autism spectrum disorders, in addition to, or as part of their 3,000 hours of training/supervision; and have sufficient written evidence of training and/or education in the method of evidence-based therapy being delivered, prior to the provision of services.

Experience:
•    Must have at least 1,500 hours’ experience working as a Behavior Technician implementing programs based on ABA principles.
•    Must have experience working with children and adolescents, utilizing ABA therapies. 
•    A solid understanding of autism and behavioral principles.
•    Experience utilizing applied behavior analytic strategies to modify behavior. 
•    Experience with functional behavior assessments and writing behavior support plans. 

Other:    
•    Must be 18 years old or older.