Education Coordinator- Oncology

Job Summary

The Education Coordinator is responsible for the coordination, planning, and delivery of academic educational support services to patients followed by an identified service line (e.g. Dialysis, Rehab, Oncology, etc.). Educational services and coordination involves close collaboration with the healthcare team, inclusive of families and patients’ community schools, to insure effective communication of patient educational history and/or newly identified needs. This includes, but is not limited to: providing families with school letters for 504 service plans, communication with the patient’s school around curriculum planning and 504 service plans, and providing information on the impact of medical diagnosis or treatment on learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration.  School re-entry services include informing families around education advocacy issues and provision of information to schools concerning disabilities or diagnoses, and their implications on school services and/or re-entry.

Job Responsibilities

Evaluate patient’s psychoeducational needs (based on parent report, school report, review of available assessments, and medical treatment plan)

• In collaboration with the school team will determine appropriateness of homebound instruction, 504 service plan, IEP and/or other school-related services
• Discusses with patient’s caregiver any questions/concerns regarding school re-entry
• Gathers pertinent school history and records and shares this with the healthcare team
• Collaborates with school in the identification of tasks to facilitate re-entry (i.e. Homebound Referral Form, parent letter requesting Multi-disciplinary Team Evaluation)
• Facilitates school re-entry by scheduling and coordinating school meetings and/or conference calls as needed
• Documents in the patient’s medical record pertinent information gathered from the school and summarizes school re-entry plan as appropriate

Patient and Family Education Advocate/Liaison

• Acquires parent authorization to communicate with school staff
• Provides information pertaining to education systems and process to support family’s efforts in advocating for their child
• Attends school meetings as appropriate, including IEP meetings
• Conducts school visits to educate school staff on the educational needs of the child, as needed
• Collaborates with the school and family when a need to develop a behavior management plan is identified as appropriate
• Informs school personnel of anticipated accommodations or changes to the patient’s current education program
• Develops contacts and network with other providers, schools, and community resources to support patients and families in meeting the educational needs of their children

Multidisciplinary Team/Communication

• Documents educational services provided and recommendations as appropriate in the patient’s medical record
• Incorporates support staff into the educational goals and activities of individuals or groups of patients
• Integrates multidisciplinary team goals for the patient into the educational program and individual interactions when appropriate
• Interprets educational program and provides multidisciplinary team with pertinent educational information by participating in psychosocial rounds, care conferences, therapeutic rounds, or discharge planning meetings as appropriate
• Collaborates with neuropsychologists who conduct assessments to develop appropriate school-related recommendations
• Collaborates with Hospital School Program inpatient teachers regarding any school related issues, information, and/or concerns
• Recommends consults/referrals when student needs are beyond the scope of the school program

Required Licenses, Certifications, Registrations

PA Teachers Cert – Special Ed or School Counseling

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, or School Counseling.

Five (5) years Special Education teaching experience or school counseling.

Additional Technical Requirements

• Ability to provide appropriate academic achievement testing and/or assessments.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and effective use of behavior management strategies.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary, heath care setting.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with the broadest range of individuals including children, families, the general public, professionals.
• Ability to adapt programs, equipment, and materials to suit the individual needs of children with a variety of conditions or disabilities.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility in scheduling and delivering educational services.
• Ability to work in an intense and stressful environment.
• Ability to understand the effects of illness, physical disability, and hospitalization on children, family members, and staff, including teachers.
• Ability to understand and develop ways to alleviate stress in children.
• Knowledge of hospital and community resources.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and work on multiple projects and programs.