Developmental Specialist I

UPMC; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC Western Behavioral Health Pine Center Acute Partial Hospitalization & Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) seeks dedicated staff to support adolescents with acute mood symptoms. The role focuses on coordinating care, documenting progress, and collaborating with clinical and administrative teams to ensure safe, effective treatment and smooth transition planning.

You will engage families, assist with program activities, and help maintain compliance with regulatory standards while contributing

Responsibilities

• Maintain regular communication with families and share identified needs with the treatment team.
• Monitor, document and communicate client progress while maintaining accurate records and compliance with standards.
• Collaborate with classroom, clinical, and administrative leadership through meetings and supervision sessions.
• Support curriculum implementation and program quality improvement initiatives.

Job description

UPMC Western Behavioral Health Pine Center Acute Partial Hospitalization & Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides specialized behavioral health services for adolescents experiencing acute symptoms of depression, anxiety, and related mental health challenges. Our program is designed to help adolescents stabilize their mental health, develop effective coping strategies, and safely transition to a lower level of care, such as outpatient treatment. A primary focus of our team is supporting adolescents in maintaining safety and emotional stability while reducing the need for psychiatric hospitalization.

Using evidence-based treatment approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we empower adolescents to build resilience, strengthen emotional regulation skills, improve interpersonal relationships, and manage symptoms more effectively.

Care is delivered through a collaborative, multidisciplinary treatment team consisting of Mental Health Workers, Behavioral Health Therapists, Developmental Specialists, and Psychiatric Nurses who work together to provide comprehensive, individualized care. Through structured therapeutic programming, skill-building groups, family involvement, and ongoing support, our team helps adolescents achieve meaningful progress and move toward long-term wellness and recovery.

Key Information

• Schedule: M-F, 8a-530p. Occasional flexibility required to work until 530p for program coverage purposes.
• Location: 2 Hot Metal Street, Southside, Pittsburgh
• Dress Code: Business Casual
• Parking: UPMC Lot Nearby for a low monthly lease cost

Responsibilities:

• Maintain regular communication with families, providing support and sharing identified needs with the treatment team.
• Monitor, document and communicate client progress while maintaining accurate records and compliance with all regulatory, licensing and accreditation standards.
• Collaborate with classroom, clinical, and administrative leadership through meetings, treatment teams, parent conferences, and supervisory sessions.
• Support curriculum implementation and program qualify by assisting with lesson planning, quality improvement initiatives, audit readiness, and other assigned responsibilities.