Developmental Specialist in San Rafael, California at Hope Services

The Developmental Specialist provides 1:1 developmental intervention and assessment to infants and toddlers in a home and/or clinic-based setting. They also provide parent education and training relative to developmental disabilities, promote and document progress, document clinical outcomes, and act as an advocate.

Essential Functions

The following responsibilities represent the essential functions of the position. An employee in this classification is responsible for carrying out the following functions:

1. Function independently and autonomously in providing home-based early intervention services to infants and families
2. Use a family-centered approach while integrating parent coaching into every session.
3. Coordinate schedule for planning and conducting visits.
4. Maintain appropriate treatment records and documentation as required.
5. Maintain productivity of 75% based on weekly billable hours.
6. Conduct assessment and evaluation, addressing five major developmental domains including cognitive, communication, social-emotional, motor, and adaptive skills.
7. Establish appropriate developmental goals and objectives and provide updated developmental information at scheduled IFSPs.
8. Develop and maintain rapport with all family members assigned to caseload.
9. Work collaboratively with other agency professionals including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists, as well as with Regional Center staff, physicians, and outside agencies regarding developmental/health-related issues and resources for families served.
10. Participate in monthly scheduled staff meetings, provide input, and present in-service trainings as assigned.
11. Act as a mandated abuse reporter.
12. Independently recognize families in crisis and provide appropriate consultation and referral regarding issues related to child abuse, domestic violence, parental stress/conflicts, and substance abuse.
13. May perform other duties as assigned to assure efficiency of the program.

Qualifications Required

To practice as a Developmental Specialist at entry level, the Developmental Specialist must hold a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in the field of Child Development, Human Development or related field. 1+ years of related experience working with children or people with disabilities, a Master's degree in Special Education, and bilingual skills are beneficial.

Required Knowledge and Skills

The Developmental Specialist must have knowledge/skills in the following areas:

1. Family Support
   1. Communicating effectively
   2. Promoting collaborative decision making and problem solving
   3. Supporting access to community resources, both generic and specialized
   4. Supporting the development of family self advocacy and empowerment
2. Child Development
   1. Must have a strong base of knowledge in both typical developmental patterns of infants and toddlers and atypical development due to disabilities or risk factors
3. Evaluation and Assessment
   1. Use evaluation/assessment practices appropriate to infants and toddlers with special needs
   2. Interpret and report evaluation and assessment results accurately and appropriately
4. Basic computer skills
5. Ability to utilize critical thinking skills in decision making situations and to demonstrate independent judgment
6. Solid organizational and documentation skills – ability to observe, evaluate, document, and communicate effectively verbally and in writing
7. Ability to accept supervision and work cooperatively as a team member with colleagues, clients, and families
8. Understanding and ability to work within team and family dynamics
9. Ability to be flexible with scheduling and prioritizing tasks

Environmental Conditions

Considerable travel in the community, primarily performs work in the client home. Lifting, moving stretching, walking and crawling during training activities with the child and family. Exposure to outdoor conditions, dust and pollens. Some computer work and periods of intense concentration.

SJT