Early Intervention Specialist

Early Intervention Specialist

The mission of Metrocare Services is to serve our neighbors with developmental or mental health challenges by helping them find lives that are meaningful and satisfying. We are an agency committed to quality gender-responsive, trauma-informed care to individuals experiencing serious mental illness, developmental disabilities, and co-occurring disorders. Metrocare programs focus on the issues that matter most in the lives of children, families, and adults we serve. The Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program at Metrocare services provides developmental therapies and service coordination to eligible babies from birth up to the age of 3 who have significant developmental delays or disabilities. Services are provided in the natural environment (e.g. home, daycare, community-settings, telehealth) and are delivered through coaching with primary caregivers versus one-to-one treatment with the baby and therapist.

The Early Intervention Specialist (EIS) provides intake, evaluation, service coordination, and specialized skills training (SST) to families of the ECI program within the natural environment settings. The EIS functions as a community liaison and as an interdisciplinary team member to support families as they help their child learn and grow. Hours of responsibility: Our hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Early Intervention Specialist (EIS) would be expected to be available to provide services and attend required meetings/trainings during these operational hours.

Essential duties and responsibilities: The essential functions listed here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the job.

• Provides developmental activities with infants/toddlers in natural environment settings.
• Provides developmental screenings, intake, information, and referrals.
• Organizes and conducts evaluations and Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs)
• Maintains complete, accurate and timely clinical documentation.
• Provides service coordination, case management, and specialized skills training (SST) services.
• Provides information on community resources, family systems and service delivery systems.
• Develops and monitors Transition Plan for ECI families.
• Attends community and transition planning meetings, as required.
• Collaborates with members of the ECI interdisciplinary team to meet the needs of ECI families.
• Maintains charts, position benchmarks, and trainings, as required.
• Delivers 88 hours a month of direct client services to ECI families in natural environment settings.
• Meets all performance and service timelines required by ECI State Office and Metrocare Services.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies: The competencies listed here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Self-motivating, professional acumen, problem solving, respect for confidentiality, communication skills for public speaking and presentation skills.
• Must be able to speak in front of unfamiliar people and groups of people.
• Must be familiar with or have the ability to meet State, local, HHSC, ECI and Metrocare Services rules and regulations, procedures and policies.
• Organized and able to meet deadlines and frequent changes in procedures.
• Conducts job responsibilities in accordance with the ethical standards of conduct, state contract, appropriate professional standards and applicable state/federal laws.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workflow and meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle multiple task and special projects simultaneously.
• Able to work autonomously with minimal or no supervision.
• Able to maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

Qualifications Education and Experience: BA/BS in a field commensurate with Early Childhood Intervention or Special Education required. 3 hours of college course credit must be in Early Childhood Development or Special Education. Preferred: Must be ECI Fully Qualified and in active status as an EIS with Texas State HHSC ECI office.

Mathematical Skills: Basic math skills required. Ability to work with reports and numbers.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one or two-step instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with occasional variables.

Computer Skills: Use computer, printer, and software programs necessary to the position (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). Experience in Metrocare computer software (Netsmart MyAvatar) - Ability to utilize Internet for resources.

Certifications, Licenses, Training, Registrations: Preferred: Licensed as Fully-Qualified EIS through state of Texas. Current State of Texas Driver License or if you live in another state, must be currently licensed in that state. If licensed in another state, must obtain Texas Driver License within three (3) months of employment. Liability insurance required if employee will operate personal vehicle on Center property or for Center business. Must be insurable by Centers liability carrier if employee operates a Center vehicle or drives personal car on Center business. Must have an acceptable driving record.