Developmental Therapist - Pediatrics

FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CARE•Marshall, AR

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Developmental Therapist provides instruction and evaluates children’s performance in classroom or natural environments designed to encourage learning and positive relationships with children, families, and staff. The role completes developmental evaluations, creates individual plans of care, and coordinates their implementation with an interdisciplinary team. It serves children with developmental disabilities and includes classroom teaching, family communication, documentation, staff support, and early-intervention responsibilities. The therapist plans and teaches activities based on each child’s abilities and plan of care, monitors progress, and collaborates with families, therapists, nursing staff, and school districts. The position also oversees classroom routines and standards, supports and evaluates teacher assistants, responds to First Connections referrals, and completes required training and records. This is a safety-sensitive position that requires maintaining confidentiality and following applicable quality, licensing, safety, and HIPAA procedures. The position is part-time, located at FPS Marshall in Marshall, Arkansas. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, with varying hours, on the day shift. The work environment usually has a moderate noise level.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education or an alternate learning plan in ECSPED; alternatively, a four-year degree in a related area with experience working with children and families, or meeting First Connections’ minimum requirements for a Developmental Therapist.
Specific knowledge of developmental disabilities.
Developmental therapy services must be provided by an individual certified by First Connections as a developmental therapist or developmental therapist assistant.
For First Connections developmental therapist certification, one of the following is required: Early Childhood Special Education certification; a master’s degree in Developmental Therapy or Early Intervention; or an alternate learning plan approved by and filed with the Department of Education.
Completion of all First Connections Core Competencies for Therapists certification coursework and current compliance with annual professional-development and other training requirements.
Enrollment with the Arkansas Medicaid Program as a DDS non-Medicaid local provider program (type 76) and a First Connections Medicaid local provider program (type 86).
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business, professional, technical, or government materials; draft reports and correspondence; and present information and respond to questions.
Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and apply basic algebra and geometry concepts.
Ability to solve practical problems, work with concrete variables, and interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.
Ability to use hands to handle objects, tools, or controls; talk and hear; and frequently stand, walk, reach, sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and taste or smell.
Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; required vision includes close and color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.

Responsibilities

Provide instruction and plan learning activities that support children’s individual needs, abilities, participation, and plan-of-care outcomes.
Monitor and record children’s progress and mastery of curriculum concepts; prepare and complete plans of care for children on the caseload.
Collaborate with families, therapists, and nursing staff to create and implement Individual Treatment Plans (ITPs) and Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs).
Participate in enrollment, annual review, and dismissal conferences; conduct interdisciplinary enrollment conferences with families and participate in required due-process activities.
Conduct developmental evaluations and screenings when qualified, present and interpret evaluations to parents, and complete referrals and eligibility evaluations when requested.
Set up and monitor behavior-management systems and individualized behavior intervention plans as needed.
Communicate children’s progress to parents and maintain regular family communications, including calendars, daily notes, newsletters, and planned activities.
Facilitate transitions to public school by arranging conferences with families and school districts and completing required paperwork.
Review and approve day habilitation notes in Credible for accuracy each day and complete required documentation and productivity reports.
Develop and post lesson plans, prepare curriculum materials in advance, teach lessons individually or in groups, and supervise and engage children throughout the day.
Develop and oversee classroom schedules; maintain classrooms in accordance with ITERS/ECERS, DHS/DDS, FCC, and childcare licensing requirements; keep classrooms in ratio and ready for children.
Use and care for classroom materials and supplies appropriately, and apply positive behavior guidance and classroom management techniques.
Plan and organize parent and family involvement events and report record updates to office staff as needed.
Coach assigned teacher assistants, conduct their annual evaluations, model professional growth, lead staff meetings and training, and serve as a back-up Lead Teacher when assigned.
Respond to First Connections referrals in a timely manner, cooperate with service coordinators, enter required data in FC Stands, and maintain required core competency training.
Attend required staff meetings, training, workshops, conferences, parent functions, and other professional-development activities; obtain required annual professional-development hours.
Follow safety, OSHA, infection-control, confidentiality, quality-assurance, and HIPAA procedures; report signs of abuse or neglect promptly.
Assist with nursing duties, including medication administration and medical procedures, after training.
Perform other related duties as assigned.