Job Coach Position

Supporting People with Challenging Behaviors and Using Behavior Support Plans

You may support someone with challenging behaviors, although it is rare that a person has aggressive behaviors. A person you support may become agitated with you or raise their voice to you. They could cross your personal boundaries by asking personal questions or asking you to do something that you are not comfortable with.

For many potential new Job Coaches, this sounds a little frightening. Yet, with training, new Job Coaches with no prior experience learn how to prevent people from displaying challenging behavior. They also learn to respond to people in ways that helps people become or stay calm. You will not be asked to work with people who have challenging behaviors without training on how to prevent these behaviors and how to handle them when they occur.

Over time you may decide that you really enjoy working with people with challenging behaviors because you will play an active role in teaching them better communication and living skills, which should cause their challenging behaviors to diminish. Many people with disabilities who display challenging behaviors are able to change with support from a Job Coach.

TAKING CONTROL

Jeannie has been working the same job for five years. She enjoys her job and is successful at it. Every once in a while she has a bad day and feels stressed out. When this happens, she sometimes does not show up for work or goes home early. This type of behavior puts Jeannie at risk for losing her job.

Her Job Coach works with Jeannie to find a coping technique so that she can continue to work or communicate to her supervisor rather than walking off the job. After trying a variety of strategies, Jeannie finds that taking a five-minute walk outside helps to calm her down enough to return to her job. Knowing that she has a way of dealing with the stress and the challenges that come her way, she feels more confident and stronger about doing her job.

Supporting People with Health Care Needs