Child Life- Education Specialist Teacher

The Education Specialist provides individualized tutoring and academic support to hospitalized school-age children/adolescents. Works cooperatively with the Local Education Agency to provide pertinent information for contracting and billing. Acts as a liaison to the patient’s school and public school districts.

• Provides group academic instruction on the Integrated Care unit for 2 hours per day, Monday through Friday.-25%
• Appropriately analyzes and addresses age-related needs of the patient population from kindergarten through grade 12 at various development levels. Provides instructional tutoring to school-aged patients hospitalized at Connecticut Children’s through implementation of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 accommodations while adhering to academic instruction policy and procedures in accordance with state and federal guidelines and regulations, as required. -15%
• Shares educational information with appropriate inpatient team and Local Education Agency (LEA), as requested and with parent/guardian permission in accordance with HIPAA policies.-15%
• Consults with the child’s public-school teacher as appropriate to coordinate materials, communicate regarding student’s learning profile, inquire as to student’s current functioning levels, prior to current hospitalization, and to share information regarding patient’s current status.-15%
• Assists in preparation of instructional materials, monitors academic work, provides support as appropriate to reinforce previously learned skills, and collects data on performance to report to the LEA, upon discharge.-15%
• Prepares and submits invoices for reimbursement from the school district as appropriate.-10%
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.-5%

Education and/or Experience Required:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Education.
• Experience: Minimum of one year working with children.

Education and/or Experience Preferred:

• Education: Master’s Degree.
• Experience: Experience with children of both neurotypical and neurodivergent development.

License and/or Certification Required:

• State of Connecticut Teacher Certification.

License and/or Certification Preferred:

• Special Education Certification K-12.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge:

• Effective teaching strategies, modifications and adaptations.
• Connecticut’s Common Core of Learning.
• Organizational structure of Connecticut Children’s.
• Own role and work objectives.
• Demonstrates knowledge and expertise in the area of special education and the ability and willingness to work with children of various developmental levels.

Skills:

• Flexibility in working around in-patient schedules.
• Effective organizational and coordination skills.
• Excellent communication/presentation skills.
• Effective use of patience in day-to-day performance.
• Effective team building skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Abilities:

• Prepare and implement effective lessons for student’s current functioning
• Utilize the curriculum-based assessment process as it pertains to clinical/educational observation of the child in a natural setting.
• Write professional reports using terminology that can be readily understood by the layperson
• Demonstrates the ability to function independently as well as the ability to work as a part of a multidisciplinary medical team.