What Is A Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional?

Qualified intellectual disabilities professionals (QIDPs) are human services professionals who work with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. They may also be referred to as qualified developmental disability professionals (QDDPs).

QIDPs are similar to case managers or social workers in that they provide practical support, such as:

• Coordinating care
• Monitoring progress
• Keeping records
• Communicating with families and staff
• Managing administrative duties

In this article, we’ll go into detail about what QIDPs do, where they work, and what their qualifications are.  

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What Do QIDPs Do? 

The exact duties of a qualified intellectual disabilities professional depend on the individual job. In general, these are the primary responsibilities of a QIDP: 

• Assessing Needs. QIDPs play a big role in observing and assessing the needs of a person with developmental disabilities. This may include interviewing the individual and their family, reviewing medical history, and completing specific assessments. 
• Planning & Coordinating Care. While the care recipient likely has a physician or social worker in charge of a treatment plan, the QIDP also plays a role. They use assessments and information from other professionals to help plan and implement their care. This includes setting goals, consulting with appropriate professionals, managing communication between professionals, and making changes to the care plan as needed. 
• Documenting Progress. QIDPs are often responsible for monitoring the care recipient’s progress and results as they receive treatment and care. They must also document and keep careful records. 
• Ensuring Quality Care. QIDPs are advocates for their care recipients. They ensure they get high-quality and appropriate care that meets their goals and needs. 
• Communicate With Stakeholders. Communication is a big part of the job of a QIDP. They must communicate with the individual’s family and other professionals providing or supervising care. They gather input from everyone and ensure that all stakeholders are informed about progress, changes, and potential issues. 

Where Do QIDPs Work? 

If you help a loved one who receives care in a residential or day facility, you might encounter a QIDP. They work in residential facilities for people with disabilities. For example, they often work in intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICFs/IID). 

If you’re providing care for someone with an intellectual disability who lives at home, you might work with a QIDP in a day facility. These are facilities that offer day care and treatment, like educational institutions, outpatient care centers, and social services organizations. 

What Are The Qualifications For Being A QIDP?

QIDPs are disability professionals who have received appropriate training. It’s not an entry-level job. Standards, qualifications, and licensure vary by the hiring employer and by state. 

General Requirments

The most basic requirement for working as a QIDP is a bachelors degree in a human services related field. Examples of degrees that can lead to a career as a qualified intellectual disabilities professional include: 

• Psychology
• Social work
• Special education
• Sociology
• Occupational or physical therapy
• General human services

Another typical requirement for the job is a year of experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. This can be achieved through an entry-level position in a residential or day facility, a volunteer role, a special education job, or a related healthcare position. 

Federal Requirements

The federal government has specific education and training requirements for QIDPs working in Medicare or Medicaid-certified ICFs/IIDs. QIDPs in these facilities must have a human services degree and have one year of experience in a paid or volunteer position working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. 

Alternatively, federal requirements allow physicians and registered nurses to work as QIDPs in qualifying facilities. 

State Requirements 

Most states don’t have their own requirements for QIDPs, although some do. For example, in both California and Illinois, QIDPs must meet the federal requirements for education and experience. These states provide licensure for QIDPs. 

QIDP Certification

Certification isn’t typically required for working QIDPs. Those who choose certification can benefit from deepening their knowledge and becoming more desirable job candidates. The National Association for Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professionals (NAQ) offers the most widely recognized certification program. 

The NAQ-Certified I/DD Specialist Program provides relevant content, expert-led curriculum, and online, flexible learning. To enroll in the program, individuals must hold a degree in human services and have one year or more of experience. 

Some of the topics covered in the program include:

• Person-centered planning
• The role of the I/DD specialist
• Prevention of abuse, exploitation, and neglect
• Health and wellness
• Supporting individuals with challenging behaviors 

Who Can Benefit From A QIDP? 

Anyone with significant developmental disabilities or intellectual disabilities can benefit from working with a QIDP. The families and caregivers of these individuals can also benefit from the expertise of QIDPs. 

If your loved one lives in a residential facility, they will most likely have a QIDP who works with some or all residents. The QIDP will help them:

• Set and meet goals
• Develop positive behaviors
• Enjoy a better quality of life 

Families and caregivers benefit, too. QIDPs help: 

• Coordinate care, relieving some of the burden from family members trying to navigate the care system. 
• Advocate for care recipients, ensuring they receive timely and appropriate support. 
• Facilitate communication between families and the professionals and institutions working with their loved ones. 

If you care for or love someone with an intellectual disability, you’ll probably come across a QIDP at some point. It helps to understand what these professionals do, so you can work together to provide your loved one with a better quality of life. 

References

1. National Association for the Advancement of Quality (NAQ). (n.d.). About Certification – NAQ-Certified I/DD Specialist Program.
2. Illinois Department on Aging. (n.d.). Caregiver training & best practices.
3. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Quality, Safety & Oversight – Certification & Compliance.