Reports To: 

• Clinical Director

Supports: 

• Client Services, Intake Team, Clinical Team

Supervises: 

• None

Job Description

The Assessment Specialist (BCBA) at A Leap Beyond Autism is responsible for conducting behavioral assessments to determine treatment eligibility, guide intervention planning, and support authorization submissions. This position is essential in ensuring data-driven, timely, and accurate evaluations for both new and reassessment cases.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct initial and ongoing behavioral assessments (e.g., VB-MAPP, ABLLS-R, AFLS, Vineland-3).
• Complete Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and Functional Analyses (FA) when indicated.
• Write individualized, clinically appropriate treatment plans with measurable goals.
• Ensure assessments meet BACB ethical standards, Medicaid/insurance documentation requirements.
• Collaborate with Intake, Client Services, and Clinical Directors to prioritize and coordinate evaluations.
• Submit assessment reports in a timely manner to support authorization and reauthorization processes.
• Participate in multidisciplinary discussions and case reviews to refine treatment approaches.
• Provide internal training on assessment tools, scoring, and treatment plan development.
• Update protocols based on feedback from QA and Clinical Directors.
• Track outcomes and modify evaluation approaches based on trends in authorization approvals and goal acquisition.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's or Doctorate in ABA, Psychology, or related field.
• Active BCBA certification in good standing.
• 3–5 years experience conducting assessments in ABA settings.
• Strong writing and analytical skills for detailed report generation.
• Knowledge of assessment tools (VB-MAPP, AFLS, Vineland) and Medicaid criteria.
• Experience submitting clinical documentation for insurance authorization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience training or mentoring clinicians in assessment procedures.
• Familiarity with Central Reach or other EMR systems.
• Strong understanding of Georgia Medicaid and private payer guidelines.

Pay Range:

• $65 to $85 per hour based on experience

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Primarily remote with occasional in-person client evaluations.
• Must be able to travel locally to conduct observations or interviews.
• Flexible hours required to support intake schedules.

Note:

This position is critical to maintaining high clinical standards and driving growth through efficient intake-to-service transitions.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Assessment submission within 5 business days of client intake readiness
• Approval rate of initial and reassessment plans ≥ 90%
• 100% of assessment documentation compliant with Medicaid and payer standards
• Treatment plans aligned to assessment data with <10% plan revision post-submission

P.E.A.K.S. Performance Framework

P – Professionalism: Upholds emotional safety, sensitivity, and discretion during trauma- related discussions.

E – Experience: Identifies behavioral indicators of trauma and adapts recommendations accordingly.

A – Agility: Adjusts assessment protocols for emotionally overwhelmed or dysregulated clients.

K – Knowledge: Applies understanding of trauma's impact on development, behavior, and learning readiness.

S – Skills: Gathers information in a respectful, non-triggering manner and builds trust from intake.

Software Utilization

• Central Reach – Session data, documentation, treatment notes.
• Outlook – Scheduling, email communications, and calendar management.
• Communicate trauma-related concerns to the Clinical Director and TQA BCBA for early intervention planning.
• Develop and contribute to the Preferred Coping Profile (PCP) for each new client.
• Ensure treatment plan goals reflect both skill deficits and emotional regulation needs.
• Collaborate with caregivers and Community Liaison to document trauma history when available.
• Identify emotional and behavioral signs of trauma during initial evaluations.
• Conduct trauma-sensitive interviews and observations during assessments.
• At least 90% of plans demonstrate inclusion of trauma-informed goals or strategies where applicable.
• Trauma screening completed during assessment intake for 100% of clients.
• 100% of new clients have PCP developed within 7 days of assessment submission.
• Trauma-informed care training or experience preferred.

PCPs and trauma-sensitive notes are reviewed by the Clinical Director and Program Development BCBA within 48 hours of submission. Trends in trauma reporting are

discussed quarterly with TQA and Clinical Leadership Team.