Special Education Job Summary:
The Beautiful Gate Center offers a full-day, year-round clinic-based, day treatment services for children and youth diagnosed with Autism and Developmental Disabilities, with moderate to severe conditions, resulting in a cognitive/intellectual delay, non-verbal or limited functional communication, delays in life skill areas and challenging behaviors that inhibit learning and skill development.
The first of its kind in South Carolina, Beautiful Gate Center helps learners master crucial developmental skills that allow them to transition to a less restrictive or more traditional learning environment. However, BGC provides ongoing support and care for all participants, no matter how long it takes to achieve their goals and objectives. BGC is not a school. Rather, BGC offers an intensive day treatment program that integrates specialized education, speech therapy, occupational therapy and ABA to ensure the best outcomes.
The Special Education Program Specialist position requires writing, preparing, implementing and training other clinicians for delivering programming and in some case, direct or modeled examples of direct instruction to children (ages 3 - 21). This position will also include conducting assessments and evaluations, direct instruction, progress reporting, familial involvement and collaboration, appointment scheduling, training/mentoring, and multi-disciplinary team collaboration as appropriate. All services and activities shall be administered in accordance with all Beautiful Gate Center’s policies and procedures to ensure client safety, HIPAA compliance and driven results.
Reports to: Clinical Practice Manager
Educational & Licensing Requirements:
- Must have a Bachelor’s degree or Master's degree in Special Education
- Current South Carolina Teacher Certification and License in Special Education Teaching Field PK - 12
- BCaBA certification with the BACB preferred but not required
- Minimum 3-5 years of experience working with children with autism and other developmental disabilities
Qualified Professional Experience & Skills Required for the Job
Professional Skills:
Must have diverse prior experience developing, writing, implementing and evaluating individuals for all facets of ABA - Behavioral Therapy Services which shall also include working with learners using (AAC) Alternative and Augmentative Communication Technologies.
Prior experience training, coaching and managing staff in evidence-based, best practice standards for providing Behavior Therapy service delivery.
Must have working knowledge of HIPAA privacy and policy practices and standards of performance.
Experience implementing instructions based on the principles of ABA
Prior clinical and/or educational experience working 1:1 with clients/learners for extended periods of time.
Preferred experience managing programming for a full caseload of learners, or clinicians treating clients, (30+ a week)
Experience working collectively among executive leadership, a multi-disciplinary team, directors, administrative staff while supporting a diverse clientele and busy schedule.
Demonstrate ability to maintain customer, staff and caregiver safety protocols at all times including knowledge of accurate and timely submission of incident, abuse, neglect, or restraint reports.
Demonstrate compliance regarding training of internal company policies and procedures.
Technology Skills:
Strong knowledge using PC, MAC, IPAD
Basic knowledge or exposure to use of Augmentative & Alternative Communication Hi-Tech Speech Devices- preferred skill but not required.
Knowledge of data collection practices
Strong working knowledge of Google eSuite Platform: Drive, Calendar, Meetings, Etc.
Working knowledge with IEP third party software platforms
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint
Strong Knowledge of office technologies, i.e: iCloud technology for record keeping and document storage uploads, fax, scanner, label makers, laminating machine, printers, walkie-talkies, etc.
Personal Skills & More
Strong organizational and electronic record keeping skills required
Strong written, oral and soft communication skills required
Demonstrate ability to be flexible and adapt to change.
Maintain professional appearance at all times with staff and clientele
Aptitude for critical thinking and problem solving required
Intermittent and minimal travel may be required for training, special meetings, BGC events, in-home observations, business development, continuing education, conferences, and more.
Maintain licensing, certification and CEUs every year.
Must pass background checks with drug testing, fingerprinting included
CPR and First Aid Certifications, preferred
Crisis Prevention Training preferred but not required
References and work materials may also be verified.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
The following duties and job description are not designed to cover or incorporate all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of any employee.
General Responsibilities (Center-Based Program):
Provide quality, evidence-based, best practice programming and intermittent instruction to learners using professional standards of practice while complying with HIPAA, and in accordance with BGC policies and procedures.
Support learners by caring for their safety, physical and emotional health, and well-being, recognizing their worth, affirming their abilities, and striving to promote dignity in each relationship.
Work in collaboration with other disciplines, in the Center to establish, and clarify, full spectrum of ABA therapy principles and practices, frameworks and policies uniquely tailored to provide both inpatient and outpatient services, including, but not limited to providing evidence-based, best practice, ABA service delivery to clients, organizing assessment resources & tools, creating forms, program implementation, classroom setup, evaluation areas, therapy room setup, office setup and more. And, support any other needs that arise to help BGC develop an efficient and operational infrastructure as an ABA provider in SC.
Ensure accurate and timely submission of illness, incident and/or restraint reports pursuant to BGC policy
Maintain electronic filing system for ITPs, Evaluations, Equipment Loaner Devices, Clinical Notes, Progress Notes, Independent school applications, Third-party written communication, Family Communications, Service Delivery Plans, Home Visit Reports, Incident Reports, and any other record associated with a client / participant.
Attend family/parent/caregiver meetings (In-take, Admissions and Parent Conferences) to communicate and discuss progress, generalization, and any other concerns to support both clinical and classroom activities and any environmental modifications as needed. This shall also include establishing and maintaining rapport, in a kind way, as a role model, with parents/caregivers and provide verbal updates at the end of each evaluation, treatment session or program day in accordance with BGC communications and operational policies.
Attend weekly clinical and program staff meetings as scheduled to contribute and improve the development of the BGC team and services and ensure the BGC mission and philosophy are embraced and adhered to. This shall also include establishing relationships with team members, maintaining rapport, in a kind way, acting as a team member to ensure successful implementation of academics, behavioral, therapeutic and developmental programming.
Attend, weekly meetings, or as needed, with interdisciplinary team members to collaborate on treatment interventions to ensure continuity of care in areas such as forward progress, overcoming obstacles, integration of alternative and augmentative communication technologies, behavioral strategies, etc. to support each interdisciplinary need of the client or participant. This shall also include providing data and reports to the team members for discussion purposes.
Develop instructional plans including short-term and long-term goals to promote the child’s optimal level of functioning. This shall also include incorporating home program activities for parents and caregivers to promote carryover to the home environment and successful attainment of goals.
Ensure accurate and timely completion of daily progress notes and quarterly progress notes within the BGC Electronic Medical Record system “EMR” (aka Central Reach) data collection module to maintain the client record and submit the treatment session and billing in a timely manner, and pursuant to BGC policy.
Maintain, label, and organize equipment and supplies and assist administrative personnel with purchasing supplies if needed.
Comply with clinic and center policies for cleaning and sanitizing equipment and treatment areas.
Perform housekeeping duties to keep the clinic clean and safe. Clean up after yourself in each area.
Maintain all certifications and state mandated licensure renewals relevant to the position and organization which shall also include remaining in compliance with all CEU credits for licensure during employment with BGC and remaining current on new research and developments in the field of Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Intermittent and minimal travel may be required for additional training, continuing education, conference presentations, research, and development purposes.
Assist and participate with intermittent fundraising projects, speaking engagements, or other special community events to raise awareness and support the BGC program and its non-profit Mission.
As appropriate, create a positive, fun, creative, and engaging environment for staff, clients, and parents to thrive and enjoy coming to work at the Center each day. This shall include building a positive, kind and embracing culture that will adhere to the Mission, philosophy, and vision of BGC.
Engage in appropriate activities to market, advertise and raise awareness around the ABA clinical services provided at BGC to grow clientele.
To perform other duties assigned by the Executive Director, Board Members, Clinical Operations LEAD, or other Leadership of BGC.
Center-Based Concentrations & Responsibilities:
Conduct and write all appropriate educational evaluations for new participants that will be adopted in the Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) and collaborate with Directors or Sr. Program Specialist and other LEAD staff to review new participant enrollment, classroom needs, therapy resources, participant progress, training topics, specialized equipment & curriculum needs, familial needs, and results from extraordinary clinical observations.
Provide high quality, direct instruction in a classroom setting to include purposeful and functional activities for the participant related to his/her goals stated within the ITP. This shall also include writing objective ITP goals and objectives based upon various developmental and behavioral evaluations.
Conduct routine observations as assigned by Sr. Program Specialist and other LEAD staff to ensure all students are making progress on goals and objectives stated in the ITP.
Meet with directors, interdisciplinary teams and other staff to answer questions, trouble-shoot, and discuss intervention strategies to ensure forward progress for both staff and participants.
Write, maintain, collaborate with Behavior Therapists and other Center interdisciplinary team members to create and review all ITP’s, special accommodations, safety measures, baselines, ABA interventions/therapy strategies, and overall perspective/priorities of ITP’s which shall include the overall dignity, spirit, and welfare of the child and family.
Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Grade school specialties:
- Elementary school
- High school
- Kindergarten
- Middle school
- Pre-Kindergarten
Schedule:
Work setting:
- Development center
- In-person
License/Certification:
- South Carolina Teaching License in Special Education (Required)
Work Location: In person