Director of the Specialized Needs Unit (SNU)

The Director works in collaboration with the Chief Nursing Officer and the Director of Clinical Services to direct the behavioral treatment of patients by creating and directing the implementation of all Behavior Plans, supporting and supervising all special needs unit staff, leading the behavioral team, overseeing the behavioral data collection and management system, and supervising the behavior analyst.

The Director ensures the special needs program operates efficiently in the use of resources (i.e. staffing and materials) while providing optimal care for program patients.  The director ensures the program curriculum best meets the patients' behavioral and skills-based needs.  This individual works closely with families, schools, and community agencies in assuring the greatest potential for behavioral success of patients when transitioning back to the community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees the creation, revision and implementation of Behavior Plans that are based on the targeted behavioral needs of patients.
• Serves as the face of the program, coordinating admissions to the program with strong customer service skills.
• Communicates frequently with families and community providers to provide updates and progress on treatment.              
• Directs the behavioral assessment and behavioral treatment protocols                                    
• Leads a behavioral team that produces initial behavioral plans for staff implementation and meets five (5) days a week to refine and individualize plans as needed.                                            
• Identifies and delivers appropriate professional development activities for staff, and also participates in providing informational trainings for the hospital and community as needed.                                      
• Guides clinical adjustments to the Behavior Plan on a daily basis (available by cell phone/pager)                                  
• Provides daily behavioral direction for Treatment Team                                 
• Supervises assigned unit staff                                    
• Supports of both the full treatment team and the behavioral team in utilizing clinical data to make decisions and develop behavior plans                                          
• Acts as the primary representative for the special needs program to community stakeholders, providing information about the program and referral process                           

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in health-related field required; Master’s Degree of Applied Behavioral Analysis preferred.
• Nevada State Clinical Licensure (LCSW, LMFT, LCPC) also considered with a background in working with individuals with autism spectrum.
• Two (2) years previous experience in a clinical setting required, with preferred experience providing behavioral treatment to youth with developmental disabilities and challenging behaviors. 
• Basic knowledge of human growth and development preferred.
• Maintains current knowledge of social, medical, and psychiatric services available within the community.
• Displays good theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and appropriate treatment techniques of each type of therapy, with a primary focus in ABA and PBS modalities.
• Experience with therapeutic limit-setting helpful or an understanding of level systems or other behavior management modalities
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries

Benefits

Desert Parkway offers competitive benefits effective 1st of the month following one (1) month of employment. Benefits include:

• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401K Retirement Plan
• Healthcare spending account
• Dependent care spending account
• Paid Time Off Plan with holiday premium pay
• Discounted cafeteria meal plan
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability