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

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

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

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

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• Participate in unit meetings, staff meetings, treatment team discussions, and supervision as assigned.
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Environment & Professional Standards

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• Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe environment in accordance with health and safety regulations.
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• Perform in accordance with system-wide competencies and behaviors.
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• Complete additional duties as assigned per program guidelines.
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• Bachelor's degree in Education, Special Education, or Child Development is required with one year of relevant teaching experience required.
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OR

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• Bachelor's degree in behavioral health field and 3 years of relevant teaching experience required.
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• Ability to relate sensitively to students and be consistently responsive to their needs.
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• Emotional stability, maturity and must show evidence of good judgment.
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• Knowledge and understanding of developmentally appropriate practices.
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• Effectively communicate information to other staff members, parents, visitors, etc.
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• Supervisory and leadership skills strongly preferred.
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• May in the course of their job duties be in rooms where medications are stored.
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• No contact with medications is allowed.
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ATTENTION: A COPY OF YOUR OFFICIAL BACHELOR'S DEGREE LEVEL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE ATTACHED FOR CONSIDERATION.
\n Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
\n 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.

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• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
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• Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
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• Teaching Certificate
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• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
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• Act 33 with renewal
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• Act 34 with renewal
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• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
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UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran