School Hospital Teacher (Full Time, Days)

Job Summary

The Hospital School Teacher will serve as the primary point of contact between the hospital and patients' schools, ensuring seamless communication and coordination of educational services for chronically ill students receiving medical care. This role involves working closely with medical staff, school personnel, and families to support the academic needs of students during their hospital stay or treatment period. The teacher will work in collaboration with the school districts and education partners to implement individualized education plans and grade-level curriculum, ensuring that students can continue their education while hospitalized providing advocacy and support for students and their families as they navigate the intersection of medical care and educational services.

Job Specific Duties

• Establishes and maintains a supportive, balanced, and therapeutic relationship with patients and families, adhering to HIPAA regulations, and addressing academic needs within the integrated healthcare system.
• Identifies and addresses the learning needs of patients and families, recognizing inhibitors to the learning process and assessing readiness to learn; adjusts academic support strategies based on age, chronic illness, developmental and psychosocial.
• Interacts in a cooperative manner within the healthcare team to support and contribute to the shared patient/family focused care goals through professional communications techniques. 
• Refers hospital educational services based on assessed need, assisting families with applying for hospital home bound educational instruction and tutoring services. 
• Assesses academic needs for chronically ill patients and provides educational support/resources through advocacy for appropriate hospital home bound, tutoring services, and post discharge educational needs. 
• Manages a caseload effectively, prioritizing patients based on school program standards of care. Plans and organizes daily routines accordingly.
• Implements school aged educational enrichment programs that foster cognitive growth and development. 
• Ensures effective communication with the family, school, and medical team, on patient’s educational potential and limitations related to their illness. 
• Plans, implements, and documents the development and execution of education plans for hospitalized children, ensuring continuity of learning during their stay. 
• Contributes to the development of educational resources and programs for school staff, administrators, and students, related to specific diagnoses and their associated educational and environmental accommodation needs. 
• Applies problem-solving skills to identify creative solutions to patients' school challenges and communication barriers with the school team. 
• Coordinates with school administrators, the medical team, and parents to minimize barriers to educational services.
• Accurately document the communication regarding school program services provided to the family in the electronic charting system.
• Maintains accurate data and statistics related to hospital school program services. 
• Engages with schools, families, and/or partnering education programs via telephone, video conference, or in person school visits. 
• Assists with school re-entry needs that may involve advocacy or the creation of IEP/504 documentation. 
• Assists with school re-entry integration by educating school staff and students on the patient's diagnosis and accommodations. 
• Supports the recruitment onboarding process for school program staff, interns, and volunteers. 
• Assess how each student learns best and adjust teaching techniques accordingly. 
• Develops and implements initiatives aimed at enhancing the educational experience for patients. 
• Assesses the academic needs of siblings of chronically ill patients and provides support through consent and communication with the school to connect siblings to the appropriate resources. 
• Evaluates outcomes through summarization of the effectiveness of school-based teaching methods. 
• Supervises school program volunteers and students.
• Administers and interprets diagnostic educational and cognitive attitude tests as needed. 

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Child Life Development, Elementary Education, or related field 
• Florida Educator Certification required within 1 year of hire - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment  
• American Heart Association BLS required within 90 days of hire - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment 
• 1-3 years of experience as  an Educator in elementary, middle, or high school

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Master's Degree in Child Life Development, Elementary Education, or related field preferred.
• Experience working with children.
• Able to adapt and react calmly under stressful conditions.
• Able to handle multiple assignments, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Able to work in a team environment.
• Able to work independently and flexibly with minimal supervision.
• Able to represent department/function in a professional, courteous, and efficient manner.
• Able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.