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Developmental Disability Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Licensed Practical Nurse

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$25.50 - $34.50/hr

To provide medical services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to enable them to maintain optimal health and wellbeing. Qualifications: * Must successfully complete the ...

If you are a strong leader with a passion for helping others and experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities, we encourage you to apply. Position Summary The ICF Shift ...

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Developmental Disability information

See Iowa salary details

$32.9K

$49.7K

$78.9K

How much do developmental disability jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for developmental disability in Iowa is $49,675.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,300.00 and $52,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working with individuals with developmental disabilities, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals working with individuals with developmental disabilities often encounter challenges such as communication barriers, behavioral issues, and the need to tailor support to each person's unique abilities. Addressing these challenges requires patience, creativity, and strong collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including therapists, educators, and family members. Building trust and using individualized strategies, such as visual aids or assistive technology, can greatly enhance both communication and overall support.

What is the difference between Developmental Disability vs Occupational Therapist?

AspectDevelopmental DisabilityOccupational Therapist
Required CredentialsVaries; often no specific certification, but may include special education or healthcare trainingMaster's degree in Occupational Therapy, state licensure, and NBCOT certification
Work EnvironmentSchools, healthcare facilities, community programsHospitals, clinics, schools, rehabilitation centers
Employer & Industry UsageSpecial education, healthcare, social servicesHealthcare, rehabilitation, educational settings
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding disabilities and support servicesTherapeutic interventions for functional improvement

Developmental Disability refers to a broad range of conditions affecting development, while an Occupational Therapist is a healthcare professional providing therapy to improve daily functioning. The two are related but serve different roles within healthcare and support services.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Developmental Disability Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Developmental Disability Specialist, you need a background in psychology, social work, or special education, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree and, in some cases, state licensure. Familiarity with individualized service plans (ISPs), case management software, and documentation standards is typically required. Compassion, patience, strong communication, and problem-solving skills help professionals build trust and advocate effectively for clients. These competencies ensure high-quality support, enable effective care coordination, and improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities.

What are developmental disabilities?

Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions that originate during the developmental period, typically before the age of 22, and cause physical, learning, language, or behavioral impairments. These disabilities can include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and Down syndrome, among others. They may affect daily functioning and often require lifelong support and services. The severity and type of support needed can vary greatly from person to person.
What are popular job titles related to Developmental Disability jobs in Iowa? For Developmental Disability jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Developmental Disability jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Developmental Disability jobs in Iowa are:
Infographic showing various Developmental Disability job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 10% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $49,675 per year, or $23.9 per hour.
Clerk III - Center for Disabilities & Development

Clerk III - Center for Disabilities & Development

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA • On-site

$15.25 - $18.75/hr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


University Of Iowa rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 84 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

425th of 553 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The Center for Disabilities and Development is seeking a full-time Clerk III. This position will be scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Under general supervision, performs and coordinates clerical work such as examining and evaluating data according to established guidelines requiring a knowledge of both assigned and related work areas. Duties may involve the use of personal computers, computer terminals, and a variety of software and/or conventional office equipment. Responsible for identifying appropriate medical information to satisfy authorizations. Review, organize, prepare internal/external patient documentation to be scanned/uploaded into Epic. May provide functional supervision.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Serves as point of check-in/scheduling in main lobby
    • Provides direction to patients and visitors
    • Records and checks patients into parking system
    • Voaltes appropriate clinical staff to notify of patient arrival and location
  • Evaluates, prioritizes and processes all incoming patient information from fax, mail, Epic in-basket, telephone and additional sources; sorting by the patient, document type the and number of pages; scans information into EPIC and updates referral shells appropriately.
    • Review, organize, and prepare internal and external patient documentation to be scanned into EPIC. Scan and download patient documents.
  • Obtains medical records needed for processing requests for medical information.
  • Process requests received from patients via MyChart messaging.
  • Answers and provides customer service to the callers on the CDD toll-free line; directing the caller to the appropriate department or person; and responding to all messages in the voicemail inbox daily and periodically throughout the day.
  • Assembles and disseminates pre-service packets for new referrals and returning patients.
  • Provides backup to other Clinical Operations staff members as needed including medical records, DAR prep, confirmation calls, rescheduling same-day cancels, and scoring patient forms.
  • Performs other projects and tasks as assigned.

Merit Alpha Matrix | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa
MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
  • Any combination of related clerical office experience, related undergraduate education, and/or post high school clerical training that is the equivalent to two years of full-time employment

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Knowledge of medical terminology.
  • Public contact/customer service experience.
  • Knowledge of HIPPA guidelines and laws regarding release of medical information.
  • Experience working with electronic medical records systems.
  • Experience with release of medical information.
  • Knowledge of UI Health Care policies and procedures.

APPLICATION DETAILS:
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Required" to the submission:
  • Resume

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 10 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates must self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check. For additional questions, please contact michael-lynch-2@uiowa.edu

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