Education Specialist

The Education Specialist will assist in the development and implementation of the "Science Journeys" program. They will implement curriculum and age-appropriate lessons at the hospital for patients and families. They will collaborate with the appropriate staff (e.g., nurses, Child Life, Activity Coordinators, volunteers, and members of the health care delivery team) to develop and maintain a daily program calendar. They will coordinate volunteers for events and additional STEM programming throughout the hospital, including inpatient rooms, play areas, Main Atrium, Healing Garden, and outpatient clinics. They will also assist in data collection for ongoing research/evaluation, conducting appropriate research techniques as assigned, such as obtaining consent. Additional responsibilities may include program support/project communications including dissemination, drafting web content, advertising, and managing social media.

Develops and implements a program to teach advocacy skills to families of children with chronic illness in order to assist them to secure appropriate school services for their children. Facilitates an educational program for patients treated by the hospital, managing the referral process for home/hospital tutoring, advocating for necessary school services, and providing direct tutoring on a limited basis. Fosters positive and professional interpersonal relationships with patients/families, school personnel, physicians, hospital staff, other community agency representatives, and visitors.

Qualifications - External

Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree Related field and completion of an educational training program (teacher training, training as a guidance counselor, for example). (Required)

Minimum two years of teaching experience in the classroom

Functional Accountabilities
Ensures effective education program is developed and implemented

• Work with patients, families, and staff to understand the educational needs of the patient population.
• Develop a vision and sets goals and priorities.

Plans, provides, monitors, and evaluates education services provided to inpatients and outpatients

• Meet individual patients and parents/guardians to explain program, answer questions, and facilitate necessary intervention.
• Develop plan for educational interventions for individuals and groups, as appropriate.
• Design and disseminate education-related materials to parents, families, and school teachers (as appropriate).
• Facilitate home and hospital teaching services and 1:1 direct tutoring for inpatients, as indicated.

Ensures education services are coordinated with health care team, psychosocial team, and other relevant hospital programs and
services

• Participate as active member of Patient Support Services team to integrate educational services with other psychosocial programs.
• Participate actively in departmental and psychosocial rounds to ensure coordinated care for patients and families.
• Collaborate with relevant department and hospital staff to address patient or systemic problems that arise.

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance
• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation
• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation
• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication
• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers
• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance

Organizational Accountabilities
Contributes to furthering professional environment and standards

• Meet with supervisor as needed to discuss areas of concern and program development.
• Complete all hospital and departmental annual requirements in a timely manner.
• Attend and participate in relevant regional and national meetings related to academic needs of patients with a disease/disorder.

Organizational Commitment/Identification

• Partner in the mission and upholds the core principles of the organization
• Committed to diversity and recognizes value of cultural ethnic differences
• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity
• Maintain confidentiality at all times

Customer Service

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior
• Partner with all team members to achieve goals
• Receptive to others' ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change
• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes
• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently
• Search for less costly ways of doing things