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

West Virginia University Research Corporation is seeking applications for a hybrid Parent Network Specialist for the Center for Excellence in Disabilities in Counties Wood, Logan and Monongalia.

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 Wood, Logan and Monongalia.

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.

At WVU Research Corporation, we strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU Research Corporation offers a comprehensive benefits package with a variety of options to suit your needs:

• 13 paid holidays ()
• PTO
• 403(b) retirement savings with a fully vested 3% employee contribution match, (Employees have the option of contributing an additional 1-3% of their earnings to the plan, which is also matched by the WVURC)
• A range of
• Dependent Education Scholarship
• WVU Perks
• And More!!

What you'll do:

• Receive and respond to referrals to assist families in self-managing their child's health care services.
• Organize and/or participate in outreach activities including resource fairs and other community events, to inform target populations of the services available through the program.
• Collaborate with other CED and state university programming.
• Familiarize with community resources and services that might benefit target populations.
• Share expertise with team.
• Provide organizational tools and guidance to families who have a need for more intensive support.
• Provide families with information about upcoming opportunities/local community events that are inclusive, accessible, and promote health and fitness, emotional competence, and socially engaging activities.
• Coach families on self-advocacy skills.
• Provide families with information about the IEP process.
• Provide families with information about their child's educational rights.
• Attend Circle of Parent support group model training and facilitates support groups.
• Attend required trainings and keep current with required certifications.
• Serve as parent-faculty In the WVU Family Experience/Project DOCC (Delivery of Chronic Care) simulation.
• Participate 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 participate in local Family Resource Network meetings and other social service groups statewide.
• Participate in the Medical Advisory Board meetings.
• Conduct surveys, facilitate community meetings, and guide conversations in order to gather input from families about their experiences and needs.
• Assist families with the completion of self-assessments.
• Report activities to program manager and record data according to established program guidelines.
• Participate in program development and improvement through periodic reviews of policies, procedures, promotional materials, and other components of program effectiveness.
• Assist in the review of new policies and strategic planning including the Block Grant application as requested.
• Keep 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.
• Perform 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. Associate's degree in a related field preferred.
• A minimum of six (6) months of related experience, or an equivalent combination of above education and directly related experience.
• Life experience as a parent/guardian of a child with a special health care need who has functional limitations and service needs.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse types of people.
• 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.

• Valid US driver's license.

The WVURC was created as a not-for-profit corporation in 1985 to support research (R1) at West Virginia University. We provide evaluation, development, patenting, management, and marketing services for inventions of the faculty, staff and students of the University.

The WVURC receives and administers funds awarded by external agencies for research and other activities and is responsible for helping protect intellectual property through patents, copyrights and licensing agreements for start-up companies based on University research.

Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic environment is core to WVURC's mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.

West Virginia University Research Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We value diversity among its employees and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.