"Learning Specialist Healthcare"

Job Summary

This position is for a learning specialist role located at the Ypsilanti Health Center's Child and Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (CAPHP). Patients enrolled at the CAPHP may range from elementary to high school students, although the immediate need will be for middle and high school aged students. The learning specialist serves as the liaison between patients and their families, the clinical team, and schools, working collaboratively to provide the services and support needed for our patients to participate and make progress in their education, reducing future educational concerns due to mental health challenges, providing access to educational opportunities during treatment, and maintaining engagement in age and grade typical routines. Learning specialists work to bridge mental health challenges ' identifying learning needs and communicating information in a way that can be translated to school staff for the development of effective and efficient learning plans and transitions back to school. Our learning specialists do this through risk/needs assessments, partnership, advocacy, and practice

The University of Michigan Health's Hospital School Program at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital is seeking two full time (40-hours/week) certified teachers to promote culturally responsive and community partnerships connecting patients, caregivers, and treatment team(s) to the school community. These positions will be located at the Ypsilanti Health Center CAPHP.

With administrative oversight from the Child & Family Life Department, this learning specialist additionally receives general supervision from identified administrative staff within the Ypsilanti Health Center's Child and Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program.

Responsibilities

• Maintain reasonable and appropriate safeguards for protecting patient information.
• Facilitate communication between the clinical team and school community, ensuring efficient and coordinated school re-entry planning for academic success and mental health needs.
• Participate in clinical rounds and other treatment planning and disposition meetings to share educational needs of the patient.
• Responsible for conducting initial educational history and brief needs assessment at time of intake assessment and relevant documentation within the electronic health records.
• Provide school personnel with information about diagnosis and treatment including implications on learning and support using age-appropriate information.
• Collaborate with patient, patient's family, and school personnel to create plans that maintain access to class assignments and academic progress while prioritizing time required for mental health treatment.
• Provide hospital-based instruction in specific subjects appropriate for learning utilizing patient-centered methods, strategies, accommodations, and modifications.
• Facilitate individual and group classroom sessions for patients ranging in ages and grade levels.
• Assist patient, family and school personnel with recommendations for learning plans (IEP/504, etc.) and/or homebound services.
• Assist patient and family with access to educational/vocational services, collegiate disability services, college scholarships/GED programs, etc.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to contribute to and further develop the network of educational services and resources.
• Complete and maintain electronic documentation.
• Oversee, coordinate, train, and supervise volunteers.
• Provide formal and informal staff development opportunities describing hospital school services to interdisciplinary team members and learners.
• Represent the CFL Department and clinical area on committees, initiatives, and donor/community partnerships.
• Participate in CFL and partial hospitalization program department meetings and relevant team meetings and trainings.
• Maintain and order school supplies as needed.
• Assist with orientation of new staff. Engage in department mentorship program. Additional mentorship is encouraged.
• Remain abreast of current developments in the hospital school services and participate in professional development to enhance clinical knowledge and skills. Professional involvement with the Hospital Educator and Academic Liaison (HEAL) Association is encouraged.
• Participate in research of quality improvement opportunities when applicable.
• Work with C.S. Mott Children's Hospital development department, community and donors to secure and maintain philanthropic support for hospital school services and psychiatric development services. Serve as a financial steward by implementing cost effective programming.
• Assist with Child and Family Life department events and needs as needed and as relevant to the role at the Ypsilanti Health Center CAPHP.
• Adhere to Child and Family Life team norms.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

General supervision is received from the Administrative Director, Child & Family Life.

Supervision Exercised

Functional supervision may be exercised over students, interns, and volunteers.

Physical Requirements

This position requires frequent standing/walking, as well as lifting, positioning, pushing, and/or transferring of patients.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in education or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Michigan Teaching Certification
• This classification requires Primary Source Verification
• Minimum of three years of teaching experience. Hospital-based teaching experience preferred.
• Special education endorsement and/or experience in developing and implementing specialized learning plans including IEPs and 504 plans, etc.
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated skills in family consultation.
• Ability to analyze, compare, and evaluate various teaching methods to determine best practice based on patient's needs.
• Knowledge and experience with PK-12 curriculum, including curricular adaptations and modifications and program development.
• Demonstrated skills in family consultation

Additional Details

Primary Work Location: Ypsilanti Health Center

Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals (UMMAP), which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.