Developmental Specialist

MECA Therapies, LLC is looking for a Developmental Specialist to join our professional team. 

MECA Therapies is the largest pediatric rehabilitation provider in the state of New Mexico. Our mission is to strive everyday towards ensuring that our families and their children have access to the highest quality of care in the communities we serve. 

The Developmental Specialist provides special instruction to families with the information, skills, and support to enhance the child’s development. Such services address all developmental areas: cognitive, communication, physical/motor (including vision and hearing), social or emotional and adaptive development.  Developmental services are provided in collaboration with the family and other personnel providing early intervention services in accordance with the IFSP.  These services will be conducted within a variety of environments in home and community settings.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this job description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND LICENSURE 

• Developmental Specialist I Advanced: A two -year Associate level college degree in Early Childhood or related fields listed in Developmental Specialist Certification Policy (2008), section J and a professional license, if applicable, in a related field.
• Developmental Specialist II: A four -year bachelor’s level degree in Early Childhood or related fields listed in Developmental Specialist Certification Policy (2008), section J.
• Developmental Specialist III: An advanced degree master’s level in Early Childhood or related fields listed in Developmental Specialist Certification Policy (2008), section J.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Certificate of Special Instruction through the NM FIT program
• Completion of an Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP)
• Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Windows
• Proficient organizational and record keeping skills
• Effective oral and written communication
• Excellent interpersonal and teaming skills
• Ability to train clients, family members and professionals
• Exercise a high level of confidentiality
• Completion of Family Infant Toddler online trainings
• Completion of Infant-Toddler Developmental Assessment Certification (IDA).
• Completion of ECO Certification

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The DS will operate within Local, State and Federal Regulations as well as adhere to all MECA Therapies’ policies and procedures.  Essential duties include but are not limited to the following:

1. Participating in the Comprehensive Evaluation to determine child’s eligibility for FIT program. 
2. Providing families with the information, skills, and support to enhance their child’s development in all areas which include cognitive, communication, physical/motor, social or emotional and adaptive development.
3. Providing developmental consultation services that include consultation with families, and implementation of planned activities that promote the child’s healthy development and acquisition of skills that lead to achieving outcomes in the child’s IFSP.
4. Writing evaluation reports with technical accuracy.
5. Seeking out appropriate information from medical and/or other resources as needed to implement treatment strategies.
6. Utilizing time in sessions efficiently to meet objectives.
7. Providing accurate and immediate feedback to the client and/or family.
8. Planning for discharge of the person served.
9. Supporting individuals in making choices about their daily lives, and finding overall purpose and direction as requested.
10. Providing direct support in area of expertise.
11. Completing necessary data collection and reporting tools as mandated by MECA Therapies’ executive management, programs, and primary contracting agencies including NM Department of Health and Local Education Agencies, and any other agencies in which MECA provides services.      
12. Complying with company policies and procedures for all business and support practices.
13. Maintaining effective communications at all levels within the company, as well as acknowledge and follow the chain of command established by MECA Therapies.
14. Treating all individuals supported, all employees and other stakeholders with dignity and respect.
15. Adhering to all NM ECECD requirements regarding Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, including reporting procedures for such incidences.
16. Maintaining compliance with NM ECECD rules and regulations, as well as NMAC and IDEA.
17. Participating in the interview process for prospective employees as deemed necessary.
18. Providing Transdisciplinary Team Consultation Meetings (TTCM) consultation services that include consultation with families, professionals and implementation of planned activities that promote the child’s healthy development and acquisition of skills that lead to achieving outcomes in the child’s IFSP.

CASELOAD ASSIGNMENTS

The DS’s will be assigned a weekly caseload from the program director or designated staff member.

1. Community positions will be considered full time with a caseload of 27 clients per week, equating to 1252 direct therapy visits per year or part time equivalent.
2. Proving services according to child’s IFSP.

PRODUCTIVITY

The DS will achieve the expected productivity set by MECA Therapies’ Management.

Achieving a 90% performance goal.

DOCUMENTATION

The DS will accurately collect data on persons served and will ensure that the information is accurate and filed in a timely manner by adhering to the following:

1. Document therapy sessions and progress

1. FIT documentation to occur at the time of visit, to be submitted daily.
2. Any therapist needing additional time beyond their regularly scheduled time must contact the Director for approval.

1. Completing progress notes with team at 6-month review
2. Documenting TTCM meetings
3. Update and complete HELP Strands at TTCM meetings or as needed.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

The DS will provide the necessary support, training, and guidance in their provision of services to the clients and consumers served. The DS must also comply with all mandatory trainings identified by their licensing board as well as trainings mandated by their respective supervisor(s) and/or company by adhering to the following:

1. Include the family in setting treatment goals and training families on specific treatment strategies and carryover skills for the client/patient.
2. Consult and provide in-house trainings to other staff members.
3. Maintain appropriate certification through the NM FIT Program.
4. Attend mandatory staff meetings and trainings.

SUPERVISION

DS I’s must be supervised 100% of the time while working with the client.  All DS’s, including sub-contractors must receive reflective supervision at least once a month.  It is possible that DS II’s and III’s will be asked to supervise or mentor designated EC staff.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

The DS will maintain quality services for the persons served by adhering to the following: 

1. Acknowledging and respect the rights of persons served at all times.
2. Ensuring all therapy and related activities are ethical and in compliance with MECA policies and procedures.