Child Development Specialist

About this role

For more than 55 years, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) mission has been to provide caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons.

FHCSD is one of the top 10 largest federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the country. We operate more than 90 sites across San Diego County, including 29 primary care clinics, 23 behavioral health facilities, 10 physical rehabilitation clinics, nine dental clinics, five vision clinics, four outpatient substance use treatment programs, three mobile medical units, two mobile counseling centers, two urgent care centers, and a pharmacy.

Our staff provides care to over 227,000 patients each year, of whom 91% are low-income and 29% are uninsured. FHCSD provides care to all. Services include, but are not limited to adult care, chronic disease management, pediatrics, comprehensive women’s care including obstetrics, dental, vision, case management, physical rehabilitation, speech therapy for children, vaccinations, infectious diseases, behavioral health, substance use counseling and a host of specialty services including cardiology, podiatry, endocrinology, dermatology, among others.  FHCSD also offers supportive services to those who are unsheltered and in need of intensive case management.   

The breadth of our clinic locations, services and programs has grown over the last five decades, making us the largest community clinic provider of health care to the uninsured in the county and one of the top 10 largest community clinic organizations in the nation. We are also the largest health care safety-net provider, largest school-based health care provider and the largest mental health provider in the San Diego region.

The Child Development Specialist conducts developmental screenings and curriculum-based assessments, provides early intervention services, coordinates care with families and community partners, completes required documentation, and participates as an active member of the Pediatric Developmental Services team. This is a grant-funded position.

Responsibilities: • Conduct developmental screenings and curriculum-based assessments for children ages 0–5 years.

• Interpret assessment results and communicate findings, recommendations, and anticipatory guidance to parents and caregivers.

• Develop, document, and implement individualized treatment plans and Home Activity Plans.

• Align treatment goals with IFSP goals for children receiving San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) funding, when applicable.

• Provide developmental intervention services including developmental stimulation and positive behavior support.

• Deliver services through individual sessions, groups, parenting classes, home visits, playgroups, and workshops.

• Engage and collaborate with parents and caregivers to support participation and follow-through.

• Coordinate care with primary care providers, Regional Center staff, and community partners.

• Monitor patient progress and adjust interventions in collaboration with supervisors and the multidisciplinary team.

• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, IFSP reviews, case conferences, and program planning meetings.

• Complete all clinical documentation accurately, thoroughly, and within required timeframes.

• Comply with departmental standards, FHCSD policies, and payer requirements.

• Actively manage personal schedule including no-show follow-up and coordination with front office staff.

• Meet departmental productivity, access, and quality benchmarks.

• Complete all required trainings and integrate learning into practice.

• Comply with mandated reporter requirements and reporting procedures.

• Adhere to organizational policies, procedures, and safety standards.

• Provide services at various FHCSD clinics or approved community sites as needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements: • Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Psychology, Education, or related field required.

• Master’s degree preferred.

• Experience with infants and maternal/infant dyads, and young children (ages 0-5 years) is required.

• Familiarization/use of diagnostic tests and child-parent interaction programs.

• Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR (BLS) required.

• Valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of automobile insurance.

• Traveling between sites and other locations is occasionally required. Must have a valid California driver’s license, an automobile, and proof of minimum levels of car insurance as required under California law, although limits of $100,000 are recommended. An acceptable driving record is also required. California law requires all drivers to obtain a valid California driver’s license within ten days of establishing residency. Reasonable accommodation may be provided on a case-by-case basis. Mileage and other reimbursement governed by policy.

• Ability to develop, document, write and clearly communicate treatment goals, treatment plans and Home Activity Plans.

• Ability to engage families through modeling, coaching and scaffolding techniques.

• Ability to work well in both a team-based environment and independently.

• Basic computer literacy (i.e., use system to manage and schedule appointments, access electronic medical record information).

• Bilingual English-Spanish is required at designated sites; additional languages preferred.

• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

• Intermediate written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively with patients and family members who speak English as a second language.

• Knowledge of applicable laws (i.e., mandated reporters), assessment techniques, Early Intervention techniques and Developmentally Appropriate Practices and their applications to the 0-5 population when serving individuals or groups.

• Knowledge and experience re

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