Autism Support Professional (Entry-level) - North Shore Pediatric Therapy

At North Shore Pediatric Therapy in Des Plaines, IL, we're looking for dedicated individuals to join our team as Behavior Therapists or Registered Behavior Technicians. No prior experience is necessary; we provide all the training you need. What's essential is a strong passion for working with children with autism. Evening hours (3 pm - 8 pm) & Saturday availability are a must.

Why North Shore Pediatric Therapy?

We hire our Behavior Therapists for character first and experience second, and applicants must demonstrate integrity, kindness, and patience. As part of a clinical team, you'll be providing a life-changing service that affects entire families today, tomorrow, and years into the future. In just a few weeks of ABA therapy, one of your kiddos might go from lacking the important vocabulary to finally being able to express what she wants and how she's feeling, or from antisocial behaviors to cheerfully greeting her family. Our success stories are numerous, requiring excellence from every team member.

Our benefits:

• Career Path & Certification: We offer comprehensive training and support. In your first 90 days, you'll have the knowledge and experience to become certified as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). We cover the certification costs and celebrate your achievement with a significant pay increase.
• Competitive Compensation: We offer a competitive salary along with a quarterly bonus plan.
• Flexible Scheduling: Many of our kiddos need after school, evening and Saturday hours. You'll let us know the days and times you are available and we'll build your caseload!
• Professional Development: We are committed to your growth. Take advantage of opportunities for ongoing professional development and training, including internal growth and learning opportunities as well as a stipend for continuing education.
• Team Building: Join a culture of collaboration and camaraderie. Participate in monthly social events with your team to build strong professional relationships.
• Teladoc Subscription and Calm App Membership: Prioritize your well-being with a Teladoc subscription and a Calm app membership, available for free to all employees and up to 5 friends/family.
• Commuter Benefit Account: All employees can enroll in a tax-free account that allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible parking and transit expenses to/from work.
• Financial Academy: This provides you with monthly webinars focused on improving your financial knowledge.
• Open Communication and Involvement: We don't just encourage open communication; we empower it. Join one or more of our committees to get involved in organizational initiatives. Be a part of our Experience Team, DEI Committee, Brand Ambassadors, and more!

Who makes a great Autism Support Professional?

• You have prior childcare experience, especially with kids with developmental needs, or caretaking experience, such as a nurse or aide.
• You are studying or are interested in psychology or child development.
• You have a love of active play, and love to get on the ground, engage in children's games, and make learning fun!
• You have a friend or family member on the autism spectrum and can envision yourself in a caretaker role.
• Those who know you describe you as having unflappable patience and compassion. Autism affects each person in diverse ways, and you will need to provide consistent, calm care and follow-up.
• You have a background in teaching, assisting, counseling, or coaching.
• You have a background or interest in other pediatric therapies, such as speech therapy, physical therapy, or occupational therapy. Our multi-disciplinary approach means that you'll collaborate with Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, Mental Health Practitioners, Physical Therapists, and Neuropsychologists.
• You have basic computer skills and pick up new technology quickly. We will teach you how to use our electronic medical system, where you will enter notes, assessments, and treatment summaries after each session.
• You've previously held one of the following roles or titles: childcare provider, teacher's aide, special education assistant, autism support professional, caregiver for children with special needs, behavior therapist, paraprofessional, child life specialist, aide for children with special needs, babysitter.
• You do not match the above but are inspired by the work that we do and the impact we have on children's lives.

Physical demands: The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Required to sit, stand, bend and walk regularly; lift and/or move up to 45lbs pounds.
• Visual and auditory ability enough for written and verbal communication.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

What does a Behavior Therapist do?

You will provide 1:1 care to our kiddos, executing a therapy plan designed by your supervisor, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). ABA therapy uses the concept of reinforcement to teach skills needed to be independent and build and maintain social relationships, as well as replace behaviors that impede our kiddos' ability to learn. Children with autism spectrum disorders understand and interact with the world differently, and your role is to make learning fun while accommodating their unique sensory needs.

Many kiddos with ASD experience emotional overload, which can lead to intense verbal and physical responses. As a Behavior Therapist, you will need to be patient and compassionate while delivering care to our kiddos. We will teach you the skills you will need to manage these behaviors. No previous experience is required for this role, as we provide all training and will support you through the process of becoming a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).

Whether you already know your purpose and passion in life, or you're looking for the career path that suits you best, we'll teach you the skills needed to make an impact today, as well as how this role can progress and advance in the next 1, 3, 5 years and longer.

Our interview process

We're dedicated to finding the right individuals who share our mission. Our two-step interview process ensures that you understand us, our culture, and how you'll be contributing to our team.

1. Video Interview: Meet our recruiting team via a video interview to discuss compensation, benefits, and culture. We want to meet you and understand your values.
2. In-Person Interview: Visit the center, meet clinical team members, and explore our facility. You'll spend some time interacting and observing a session.

This is a part-time role. Pay is $19 - $22.50 per hour.