Developmental Specialist I (Special Education Teacher)

Our teachers collaborate closely with each student’s home school to ensure coursework is provided in both online and hard-copy formats and to support students in completing past-due work, staying current, and managing asynchronous learning. We work with families and school personnel to gather relevant academic, attendance, behavioral, and mental health information; establish academic goals aligned with classroom instruction; submit documentation of completed work for credit; share feedback on effective learning strategies; support 504 planning for school re-entry when needed; and provide medical excuses with follow-up plans.

Since 1990, we have proudly served as the only private, licensed academic school within UPMC, delivering high-quality education to students receiving inpatient care. Our collaborative team of 5–6 dedicated teachers prioritizes student needs, maintains strong communication with families and home schools, and uses data-driven feedback to continuously improve our services.

Must have Pennsylvania Teaching Certification in Special Education.

Responsibilities:
 

Academic Support

• Support children and adolescents with assignment completion during school programming.
• Observe, record, and communicate patient academic progress to the inpatient team and home schools.
• Use observational data to inform school contacts during conferences and as needed.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate with families as needed regarding educational concerns.
• Coordinate with school partners to support educational needs and transition planning.
• Report relevant clinical and non-clinical concerns to classroom, clinical, and administrative leadership.

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete all required documentation accurately and within assigned timelines.
• Maintain current patient and program records in compliance with accreditation, licensing, regulatory, and partnership standards.

Team Participation

• Participate in unit meetings, staff meetings, treatment team discussions, and supervision as assigned.

Environment & Professional Standards

• Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe environment in accordance with health and safety regulations.
• Perform in accordance with system-wide competencies and behaviors.
• Complete additional duties as assigned per program guidelines.

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Special Education, or Child Development is required with one year of relevant teaching experience required.

OR

• Bachelor's degree in behavioral health field and 3 years of relevant teaching experience required.

• Ability to relate sensitively to students and be consistently responsive to their needs.

• Emotional stability, maturity and must show evidence of good judgment.

• Knowledge and understanding of developmentally appropriate practices.

• Effectively communicate information to other staff members, parents, visitors, etc.

• Supervisory and leadership skills strongly preferred.

• May in the course of their job duties be in rooms where medications are stored.

• No contact with medications is allowed.

   

ATTENTION: A COPY OF YOUR OFFICIAL BACHELOR’S DEGREE LEVEL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE ATTACHED FOR CONSIDERATION.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
Pennsylvania Teaching Certification in Special Education or Emotionally Socially disturbed within 8 weeks of hire required. Required License ACT 48 (completion of 180 continuing professional education hours every 5 years) to maintain an active teaching certification required. Maintain all Pennsylvania Department of Education(PDE) requirements, including any new requirements deemed necessary by PDE.

 

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
• Teaching Certificate
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran