Developmental Specialist

Job Title: Developmental Specialist

MECA Therapies LLC is seeking a highly skilled Developmental Specialist to join our team. As a Developmental Specialist, you will play a vital role in providing special instruction to families with the information, skills, and support to enhance their child's development.

Job Summary

The Developmental Specialist will provide 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 Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Responsibilities

• Participate in the Comprehensive Evaluation to determine child's eligibility for the Family Infant Toddler (FIT) program.
• Provide families with the information, skills, and support to enhance their child's development in all areas, including cognitive, communication, physical/motor, social or emotional, and adaptive development.
• Provide 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.
• Write evaluation reports with technical accuracy.
• Seek out appropriate information from medical and/or other resources as needed to implement treatment strategies.
• Utilize time in sessions efficiently to meet objectives.
• Provide accurate and immediate feedback to the client and/or family.
• Plan for discharge of the person served.
• Support individuals in making choices about their daily lives, and finding overall purpose and direction as requested.
• Provide direct support in area of expertise.
• Complete necessary data collection and reporting tools as mandated by MECA Therapies' executive management, programs, and primary contracting agencies, including the New Mexico Department of Health and Local Education Agencies, and any other agencies in which MECA provides services.
• Comply with company policies and procedures for all business and support practices.
• Maintain effective communications at all levels within the company, as well as acknowledge and follow the chain of command established by MECA Therapies.
• Treat all individuals supported, all employees, and other stakeholders with dignity and respect.
• Adhere to all New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) requirements regarding Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, including reporting procedures for such incidents.
• Maintain compliance with New Mexico ECECD rules and regulations, as well as NMAC and IDEA.
• Participate in the interview process for prospective employees as deemed necessary.
• Provide Transdisciplinary Team Approach (TTA) 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.

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.

Working Conditions

The Developmental Specialist will operate within Local, State, and Federal Regulations as well as adhere to all MECA Therapies' policies and procedures. The DS will be assigned a weekly caseload from the program director or designated staff member.

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

The DS will achieve the expected productivity set by MECA Therapies' Management. Achieving a 90% performance goal.

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:

• Document therapy sessions and progress.
• Complete progress notes timely and review with families at periodic review of IFSP.
• Update and complete HELP Strands at TTA 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:

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

• Acknowledge and respect the rights of persons served at all times.
• Ensure all therapy and related activities are ethical and in compliance with MECA policies and procedures.

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