(Hybrid) Parent Network Specialist - Center for Excellence in Disabilities - Eastern Panhandle

The Center for Excellence in Disabilities at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Parent Network Specialist for the Center for Excellence in Disabilities (Eastern Panhandle)

About the Opportunity

The purpose of this position is to provide resources and support to improve the quality of life for families and children enrolled in the Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) program through the WV Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR). Children who qualify include children with complex medical conditions and/or children in foster care. We will hire in 3 separate counties of Logan, Wood and Berkeley.

The Parent Network Specialist works as a member of regional three person teams that include a CSHCN nurse and licensed social worker. The Parent Network Specialist will conduct activities to support the team in assisting families managing their child's health care services. Helps parents/caretakers understand their central role in managing their child's medical needs, making informed decisions about their child's care, and engaging them in healthy behaviors. The applicant would possess basic decision-making skills, good interpersonal skills, and resourceful problem-solving ability within available guides and precedents. Work effort impacts client services, program and project image, with nominal liabilities.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Receives and responds to referrals to assist families in self-managing their child's health care services.
• Organizes and/or participates in outreach activities including resource fairs and other community events, to inform target populations of the services available through the program
• Collaborates with other CED and state university programming
• Familiarizes with community resources and services that might benefit target populations
• Shares expertise with team.
• Provides organizational tools and guidance to families who have a need for more intensive support.
• Provides families with information about upcoming opportunities/local community events that are inclusive, accessible, and promote health & fitness, emotional competence, and socially engaging activities.
• Coaches families on self-advocacy skills.
• Provides families with information about the IEP process.
• Provides families with information about their child's educational rights.
• Attends Circle of Parent support group model training and facilitates support groups.
• Attends required trainings and keeps current with required certifications
• Serves as parent-faculty In the WVU Family Experience/Project DOCC (Delivery of Chronic Care) simulation.
• Participates in meetings with the CSHCN social worker or nurse on cases that the Parent Network Specialist has been involved in or may soon become involved in.
• Regularly participates in local Family Resource Network meetings and other social service groups statewide.
• Participate in the Medical Advisory Board meetings.
• Conducts surveys, facilitates community meetings, and guides conversations in order to gather input from families about their experiences and needs.
• Assists families with the completion of self-assessments.
• Reports activities to program manager and records data according to established program guidelines.
• Participates in program development and improvement through periodic reviews of policies, procedures, promotional materials, and other components of program effectiveness.
• Assists in the review of new policies and strategic planning including the Block Grant application as requested.
• Keeps accurate medical records within the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) guidelines and within the guidelines established by WV DHHR and CSHCN for Parent Network Specialists.
• Performs other CSHCN or CED duties related to the mission and purpose of a Parent Network Specialist as assigned by the Supervisor.

• High school diploma or equivalent
  
• A minimum of six (6) months of related experience
• Life experience as a parent/guardian of a child with a special health care need who has functional limitations and service needs.
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skilled to communicate complex information, and policies and procedures to others effectively, both orally and in writing, and to compose and write simple correspondence.
• First-hand parental experience and working knowledge of the principles and practices of family-centered care and of services to children with special health care needs and their families.
• Knowledge of technical assistive resources and referrals for children with disabilities.
• Ability to problem solve and take initiative in carrying out job responsibilities.
• Ability to apply judgment, discretion, and initiative in performing technical assistance and training for families of children with special needs.
• Ability to review materials regarding disabilities for their appropriateness for parents.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to travel to areas not accessible by public transportation.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and coordinate meetings, and program presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer utilizing various word processing and excel data base software packages.
• Ability to rapidly acquire a working knowledge of the University's, Center's and State Children with Special Health Care Needs' policies and procedures.
• Ability to rapidly learn all academic, administrative and organizational policies and procedures within the affected program, and to interpret and apply these policies to unique work situations.
• Ability to independently identify appropriate applications of a wide variety of complex written policies and procedures in circumstances not clearly described by available guidelines.
• Ability to coordinate many different program tasks, determine relative importance of each, set deadlines and complete projects in a timely manner.
• Ability to maintain proper unit attendance and punctuality standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree in a related field preferred

• Valid Driver's License

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.