GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The Early Intervention Specialist provides intervention services to infants, toddlers, and families so that the child will progress in the acquisition and mastery of functional skills in order to reduce or overcome limitations resulting from disabilities or developmental delays. Requirements of early intervention service provision come under the authority of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and are regulated by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). This position serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team to evaluate, assess, determine continuing eligibility, develop, and carry out treatment plans, document progress and required processes, educate families and community partners, collaborate with physicians and other care providers, maintain required records, and meet requirements of the profession as an Early Intervention Specialist. This position also serves as the Service Coordinator including coordinating all identified services, overseeing, and coordinating the family’s access to resources and needs as well as supporting the family’s understanding of rights and advocacy. Services are provided in the setting where the child lives, learns, and plays and as such performance of job duties requires independent navigation and travel to locations across Bexar County and provision of services in a variety of locations under a variety of conditions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position requires face to face interactions with co-workers, families, children, and the general public on a daily basis to accomplish all essential functions of the position.

• Provides Specialized Skills Training (SST) as a certified Early Intervention Specialist, within a consultative model to children with disabilities and/or developmental delays by providing families and caregivers appropriate strategies which help the child participate in their natural environment and in compliance with HHSC/Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) rules, regulations, and program standards. The philosophy of the program and this position is to provide educational material, coaching and emotional support to families, so the child can learn throughout the day in a variety of typical activities, and to support the attachment between the parent or primary caregiver and child. Provides families with needed educational information and equipment as needed to enhance the child’s development and achieve child and family outcomes. Documents all services within the required timelines and in compliance with documentation standards set by the agency, HHSC/ECI program, Medicaid and private insurance rules and regulations. (75%)
• Provides Targeted Case Management (TCM) to assist in linking families to outside resources and services as needed. This position serves as the service coordinator as well which includes but is not limited to screening for Medicaid/CHIP eligibility, coordinating services as listed on the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for all children assigned, reviewing case management needs with the family months, assisting the family in accessing needed services, resources and support, updating the family information as needed, facilitating all transition requirements ensuring all procedural safeguards are maintained. Collaborates with other team members or other providers as needed to review and/or enhance services. This position is responsible for compiling, accurately maintaining and uploading all records related to services within the specified timelines and all other operational documents as required. Documents all services within the required timelines and in compliance with documentation standards set by the agency, HHSC/ECI program, Medicaid and private insurance rules and regulations. (10%)
• Schedules, plans, and facilitates annual evaluations and IFSP meetings. Serves on an interdisciplinary assessment team to correctly administer the Developmental Assessment of Young Children, 2nd Edition (DAYC-2), to determine continuing eligibility for development delay. Accurately scores protocol, establishes eligibility, and share results appropriately. Determine eligibility in accordance and within timelines defined by HHSC/ECI rules and regulations and program policies and procedures. This position participates in the development of IFSP, assists the family in developing outcomes for their child and identifying needs within their daily routines in compliance with HHSC/ECI rules, regulations, and program standards. Determines need for and quantity Specialized Skills Training for the child. Documents all services within the required timelines and in compliance with documentation standards set by the agency, HHSC/ECI program, Medicaid and private insurance rules and regulations. (10%)

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Attends and participates in team, discipline, agency, and staffing meetings to ensure family and child outcomes are met and required information is secured. (3%)
• Participates in mandatory trainings to satisfy the requirements of ECI to attain or maintain the Early Intervention Specialist Certification to include but limited to completing the HHSC ECI Orientation within 1 month of hire, the EIS Credentialing competency demonstration system within 1 year of hire, Case Management module, achieving at least ten Continuing Professional Education hours annually plus an additional 3 hours of Ethics training every two years as required, maintaining an active Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certification . Submits all documentation on time. Submits Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) annually. Keeps copies of training certificates. (1%)
• Other duties to support the delivery and quality of services that are provided to Brighton families. (1%)

• Required: Bachelor’s degree which includes a minimum of 18 hours of course credit relevant to early childhood intervention including 3 hours of semester credit in early childhood development or early childhood special education. Proficiency in intermediate computer skills, Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook and Access, Adobe products, and using an electronic records software. Ability to meet the necessary skills, mental and physical demands.
• Preferred: Prior experience in ECI, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, or a family-centered service organization and bilingual in Spanish.

NECESSARY SKILLS

• Ability to demonstrate, understanding and apply our Core Values which are at the heart of our organization and are embedded in all roles.
• High quality of work, organization and planning skills, problem solving and decision-making skills, self-improvement and initiative, adaptability and flexibility, excellent communication skills (written and verbal), ability to work well with others and independently.
• Comprehensive knowledge of typical and atypical development in children birth to three years old
• Comprehensive knowledge of childhood conditions that relate to the provision of early intervention services
• Comprehensive knowledge of and understanding of team and family dynamics.
• Ability to contribute as a leader and facilitator on teams which include parents, caregivers, and other professional staff.
• Ability to comprehend and adhere to family-centered, activity-based early intervention practices.
• Ability to work sensitively with families from a variety of cultural orientations.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply rules and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal) with families, staff, and community members.
• Ability to professionally represent the agency and provide overview of all agency services to clients in an effective and persuasive manner.
• Ability to work with others in a supportive, professional, and collaborative manner.
• Ability to maintain a good working relationship with all co-workers and the general public and to use good judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
• Fosters teamwork and proactively addresses conflict seeking timely resolution.
• Demonstrates behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible.
• Ability to align with Brighton Center Core Values.
• Ability to perform under minimal supervision with considerable requirements for initiative, discretion, independent thought, judgment, and self-motivation in matters of significance to families as well as the agency.

MENTAL & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress and empathize with staff, supervisors, and families we serve.
• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks and calendar according to impending deadlines.
• Ability to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to ensure personal accountability.
• Ability to compute and compile reports and perform calculations.
• Ability to use reasoning and analytical skills.
• Ability to meet the physical demand of working with young children, such as bending, climbing, crawling, grasping kneeling, reaching, squatting, standing, stooping, twisting, and sitting on the floor.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 40 lbs.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability to navigate and drive personal vehicle and have/maintain personal auto liability insurance.
• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Ability to remain seated for extended periods of time.
• Ability to monitor a computer screen/tablet for extended periods of time.

TOP COMPETENCIES:

• Interpersonal Skills
• Written Communications / Presentation Skills
• Customer Focus
• Decision Quality and Problem Solving
• Managing and Measuring Work
• Time Management
• Action Oriented / Drives for Results
• Managing through Processes and Systems