College of Health Sciences Disability Services Specialist

University of California, Irvine•Irvine, CA

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Disability Services Center strives to create a culture of inclusion and access to all UCI programs, services, activities, events, and facilities for students with disabilities by forming partnerships with the university community. DSC also provides reasonable accommodations, and related disability services to UCI students, Continuing Education, Summer Session students, and other program participants. DSC also monitors campus compliance with requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended (ADAAA). The DSC also supports and advises academic and administrative departments regarding accessibility to physical and online environments. The College of Health Sciences Disability Services Specialist serves as the expert for the clinical programs under the College of Health Sciences: School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Pharmacy for increasing access for and improving retention of students with permanent and temporary disabilities. Under the general direction of the Director of the Disability Services Center, the Disability Specialist will coordinate the provision of services for students enrolled in COHS programs who have a qualified disability and require access to programs and services. Reporting to the Director of the Disability Service Center, with a dotted-line to the Deans of School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy and School of Nursing, the Disability Services Specialist serves as the primary contact for prospective and newly admitted students, reviews highly sensitive and confidential disability documentation, determines reasonable accommodations, and provides ongoing disability management support. The specialist assesses and determines the nature and extent of a wide variety of disabilities, needed accommodations, and required support services, making decisions related to a wide range of accommodation issues related to the specific needs of the learners in Health Sciences. The specialist consults with faculty and administrators in Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy regarding student needs and disability-related curricular accommodations; interprets federal and state laws and regulations to students and faculty; facilitates projects that support the delivery of high-quality services for Health Sciences students; and coordinates with the Disability Services Center to organize and/or participate in programs to raise awareness of disability issues and empower students with disabilities to achieve academic and personal success. Decisions made by the coordinator impacts university compliance and liability under federal and state disability law and regulations. The incumbent will escalate complex issues to the relevant Dean, Vice Chancellor, or campus office, as appropriate. Because of the sensitive nature of this position, the coordinator must have a deep commitment to ethical and equitable business practices and advocate for a more diverse and inclusive learning environment.

Requirements

Working knowledge of medical terminology and medical reports and their respective implications for reasonable accommodation and placement.
Strong writing, speaking, and group presentation skills in order to present information in a clear and concise manner to multiple levels in the organization in a professional manner.
Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative, originality, and judgment in applying established principles to new and unusual problems.
Willingness and demonstrated ability to embrace and consistently uphold the principles of community for a collaborative work environment and communicate professionally and courteously verbally, and in written form.
Experience with cultivating and formalizing working relationships with various departments in order to ensure student support.
Advanced degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
A minimum of 5 years of experience in disability services, special education, counseling or a closely related field.

Nice To Haves

Advanced knowledge of the legal framework involving accommodations for students with disabilities through state and federal laws and regulations.
Advanced knowledge of procedures for assessing and determining disability accommodations.
Disability services experience in health sciences programs, including clinical and lab settings.
Skill to communicate with instructors and other organizational entities regarding a student's accommodations and other academic needs.
Advanced knowledge of assessment, accommodation, and intervention techniques, specifically focused on meeting the unique needs of the Health Sciences' learner community.
Working knowledge of national organizations that support and further disability access in health sciences education.
Experience assisting and supporting students through the licensure exam accommodation process.
Familiarity with health sciences technical standards.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the provision of services for students enrolled in COHS programs who have a qualified disability and require access to programs and services.
Serve as the primary contact for prospective and newly admitted students.
Review highly sensitive and confidential disability documentation.
Determine reasonable accommodations.
Provide ongoing disability management support.
Assess and determine the nature and extent of a wide variety of disabilities, needed accommodations, and required support services.
Make decisions related to a wide range of accommodation issues related to the specific needs of the learners in Health Sciences.
Consult with faculty and administrators in Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy regarding student needs and disability-related curricular accommodations.
Interpret federal and state laws and regulations to students and faculty.
Facilitate projects that support the delivery of high-quality services for Health Sciences students.
Coordinate with the Disability Services Center to organize and/or participate in programs to raise awareness of disability issues and empower students with disabilities to achieve academic and personal success.
Escalate complex issues to the relevant Dean, Vice Chancellor, or campus office, as appropriate.