Healthy Start Project Manager

Nationwide Children's Hospital - Columbus, OH

Full-time - Mid Level

Columbus, OH

10,001+ employees

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Healthy Start Project Manager at Nationwide Children's Hospital will oversee and direct the school transition and re-entry program within the hematology/oncology/BMT division. This role involves developing and providing educational programs and services tailored for students, families, NCH staff, school district personnel, and community members. The Project Manager will facilitate successful school services and re-integration for each patient enrolled, which includes initial and long-term consultations with patients and their families, as well as collaboration with local school district personnel. The position requires training for both internal and external stakeholders regarding the educational needs that impact the quality of life for children with cancer and hematological disorders. In addition to direct educational services, the Project Manager will participate in the development and delivery of education, research, and continuous quality improvement activities focused on the educational needs of children with cancer and hematological disorders. The role demands a demonstrated competence in providing age-appropriate care to patients ranging from ages 3 to 21 years, including select adult patients. The Project Manager will also contribute to achieving strategic service-line goals related to the educational needs of patients, ensuring that the services provided are effective and beneficial. The position is full-time and non-exempt, located at the Central Campus of Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. The hospital prides itself on its collaborative culture and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, making it a place where employees can feel proud to work. The Project Manager will be part of a larger team dedicated to improving the lives of children through innovative care and groundbreaking research, embodying the hospital's mission to help children everywhere.

Responsibilities

• Serve as education expert for the hematology/oncology team, patients, families, and community partners involved in providing education services to patients of the division.
• Conduct literature searches for up-to-date information/research findings relevant to the education of children with medical needs, share that information with the hematology/oncology division patient care teams, and apply the relevant information to the implementation of school services for patients.
• Collaborate in division research activities by contributing expertise related to the educational outcomes of children treated for hematology/oncology diagnoses.
• Participate on leadership committees of the hematology/oncology division as appropriate (i.e. psychosocial committee, sibling program planning committee).
• Collaborate with the Columbus City Schools teacher assigned to the unit.
• Coordinate Buckeye Tutor Team volunteer tutor program, including orientation of tutors and monitoring of activities.
• Collect and manage necessary data and documentation for ongoing program evaluation.
• Develop, revise, and distribute education materials for families, student peers, school district personnel, and patient care staff.
• Provide education expertise in the assessment of psychosocial activities offered within the service line for patients on active treatment and survivors.
• Develop and present in-services for family members, student peers, NCH staff, school district staff, and community members.
• Actively pursue ongoing professional education regarding the issues related to quality of life and educational success for students with cancer or other chronic medical conditions.
• Maintain current understanding of special education laws and processes.
• Facilitate and maintain a network of relationships and perform leadership roles with professional peers in the community on local, regional, and national levels.
• Provide consultation to patient care services teams at NCH that do not currently have Education Coordination services directly available.
• Coordinate education services and participate in family-centered patient care for all patients aged 3-21 and select adult patients.
• Facilitate consent of family and communication with the home school district for each patient, including coordination of any paperwork needed by the school district to provide services.
• Provide school visits for the purposes of peer education, faculty in-services, and service planning.
• Make neuropsychology referrals, attend feedback sessions with the family, and participate in school meetings to help facilitate implementation of the neuropsychologist's recommendations for the school environment.
• Provide consultation and advocacy for families in the process of special education referrals and development of individualized education programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans.
• Function as an expert consultant for school district personnel in relationship to the needs of students with medical needs or cognitive late effects of cancer treatment.
• Maintain regular contact with patient, family, school staff, and NCH care providers to monitor academic progress and provide intervention as needed.
• Active participation in patient care rounds in the hematology/oncology division.
• Participate on diagnosis specific treatment teams (i.e. leukemia, sarcoma, brain tumors) for the purpose of program planning and patient monitoring.
• Seek out and develop opportunities for in-patient children to participate in virtual field trips or other electronically mediated school experiences.
• Follow NCH established codes of conduct for ethical behavior and HIPPA guidelines in all patient care decisions and activities involving the exchange of patient information.
• Provide services in a manner to be regularly and conveniently available to meet the needs of the Hematology/Oncology/BMT Division patients, families, and patient care team members.
• Complete all required CHEX education sessions in a timely manner prior to annual review.
• Provide clinical supervision for School Liaison staff.
• Perform administrative tasks related to the ongoing planning, development, and management of a successful school intervention program to serve the needs of patients with cancer or hematologic disorders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master's degree in social work or education.
• Minimum 10 years work experience with children of all ages, including experience in advocacy, school settings, research, and program development.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong initiative and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong working knowledge of child development.
• Excellent advocacy skills.
• Ability to develop, analyze, and interpret relevant research.
• Strong program development skills.
• Demonstrated academic activity such as publication, presentation at regional and national meetings, and active participation in professional organizations.
• Computer competencies in Microsoft Office and interactive computer technologies.
• Effective customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Professionally appropriate analytic and organization skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in pediatric healthcare settings.
• Familiarity with special education laws and processes.
• Previous experience in a leadership role within educational programs.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Dental insurance coverage.
• Life insurance coverage.
• 401k retirement savings plan.
• Paid holidays and vacation time.
• Tuition reimbursement for further education.
• Professional development opportunities.