Family Support Specialist

University of Oklahoma • Oklahoma City, OK

3d

About The Position

Come join the staff at OU HSC and become a part of Oklahoma's premier research university which leads the state in education and career opportunities. OU HSC is one of only four comprehensive academic health centers in the nation with seven professional colleges. We are currently building world-class institutes for the treatment of diabetes and cancer. The Department of Pediatrics is looking for a Family Support Specialist to join their team! This position serves as a resource for families of children with developmental disabilities that get their medical services. Works with the families, pediatric residents and other professionals to provide support and resources to assist families addressing needs of their children with disabilities

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• 12 months experience as a primary caregiver of a person(s) with disabilities or a parent/direct family member of a person(s) with disabilities, or experience in case management, social services or related field to include experience with community agencies and/or service providers.
• Ability to develop rapport and demonstrate good interpersonal skills
• Ability to relate and interact effectively with families of children with disabilities
• Knowledgeable and comfortable with computers and with keeping accurate case notes
• Ability to interact effectively within group settings
• Ability to communicate effectively with agency and health care professionals, community service providers, and students.

Nice To Haves

• Resident of Oklahoma County
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

Responsibilities

• Meeting Attendance. Attend staff meetings and monthly resource team meetings. Maintains confidential records. Collection and reporting of data. Establishes and maintains (or coordinates with existing) county interagency coalition. May be asked to help organize or conduct monthly county coalition meetings. Develop meeting agendas and notes. Attends monthly regional council meetings. Recruits county coalition members that represent local services and resources, family and other consumer representatives and stakeholders of other local support services. Attends or visits various events or meetings that involve obtaining support for the program, keeping abreast of current issues related to children with special needs.
• Activity Coordination. Coordinate health fairs and community events. Serves as a resource for families of children and individuals with developmental disabilities that get their medical services. Works with the families, pediatric residents and other professionals to provide support and resources to assist families addressing needs of their children with disabilities. Provides resource and referral information to families and providers. Develops community linkages. Disseminates project information to potential local stakeholders. Documents dissemination activities. Coordinates activities with institutions, counselors, students and professionals to facilitate proper functioning of the program. Identify and maintain knowledge of agency services and community resources. Works with agency representatives to stay informed about programs and policies. Assist families and pediatric residents to identify and prioritize needs and develop a family support plan including providing assistance with health care goals, coordination of care, paperwork and resource needs.
• Direction. Provides direction or support for the program. Identifies and maintains a listing of current local interagency services and resources in a resource directory format, to be shared with the community. Provides recommendations to enhance service coordination and county collaboration. Work in urban and minority communities. Identifies local interagency coordination challenges and develops strategies in collaboration with local coalitions to address the challenges.
• Communication. Works with pediatric residents and other providers to promote communication and collaboration with families to develop and manage their children's health care goals. Interfaces with family members, local service providers and other key stakeholders. Submits hard copies of county coalition monthly agenda, meeting notes, sign-in sheets, etc. Electronically submits data on family service coordination activities and community contacts into a data base.
• Continuing Education. Assist in providing training and information to families, pediatric residents and others involved in the project Coordinates county or regional activities that support continuing education
• Technical Support. Facilitates interagency service coordination for individual children/families, follows-up with all referrals. Gathers information and contacts families promptly. Documents individual child/family service coordination activities. Provides technical support for the program by performing varying tasks as deemed necessary by the current situation.
• Perform related duties as assigned to successfully fulfill the function of the position

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED