Assistant Teacher - Optimization Zone

Come Play With Us

Ranken Jordan is one only a few hospitals in the country specializing in children with medical complexities. This small but growing population requires hospital-level care as well as transitional support and specialized therapies to help bridge home. So our hospital doesn't look like any other hospital. We have playgrounds, a six-hole putting green, a rock climbing wall, gaming centers, and more so our young patients can continue to play as part of their healing process.

OZ (Optimization Zone) is a play-based learning program for our 0-5-year-old patients. This one-of-a-kind initiative aims to reduce the adverse developmental impacts that accompany long-term hospitalization. Ranken Jordan staff recognize that we are charged with caring for many young patients during a critically important window of early childhood development growth, a time when children are developing foundational skills for all future learning. This responsibility, along with our mission to get patients up and out of bed as much as possible, drove the creation of OZ. The OZ team includes: an OZ coordinator, Child Life Specialists, Psychologists, Physical, Speech, and Occupational Therapy Professionals, Therapy Technicians, Nurses, Respiratory Therapists and volunteers. This team works in consultation with our medical and infection prevention teams to meet patients' health needs.

JOB SUMMARY:

Support the Optimization Zone (OZ) program goals by assisting with planning, implementation, and patient engagement in daily OZ activities in accordance with Ranken Jordan's mission, vision, and values. OZ provides developmentally appropriate programming to all medically eligible patients aged zero to kindergarten entry, to maximize development during recovery from accident, injury, illness, and prolonged hospitalizations. Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure: Yes

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Patient Care (80%)

• Assists OZ Leadership and the OZ team in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate educational activities which consider the individual needs and abilities of our children with medical complexities.

• Support patients in engaging in OZ activities that foster development in all domains cognitive, social/emotional, language, and physical, including mobility assistance as needed.

• Supports a safe and inclusive environment that allows patients to explore boundaries and learn positive behaviors by utilizing trauma informed care best practices and reinforcing patient behavior plans when applicable.

• Assists in the set-up and clean-up of daily sessions, weekly toy and book rotation, organization, and maintenance of the OZ spaces to ensure a therapeutic and safe environment for patients, caregivers, staff, and volunteers.

• Transitions patients to and from OZ activities, supporting the Care Beyond the Bedside Model.

• Communication with OZ and larger care teams regarding in-the-moment patient status, attendance, and participation, to ensure safe handoff of patients.

Programmatic Support (10%)

• Works with the OZ team to assist in development of weekly curriculum and specific developmental play opportunities to support the varied needs of our OZ participants.

• Reviews charts for pertinent information relevant to OZ interventions, documents patient progress from OZ participation, and schedules appropriate patients for participation in the electronic medical record as directed.

• Monitors and documents patient progress, behavior, and developmental milestones, reporting observations to the appropriate team members as directed.

Other Responsibilities (10%)

• Participates in professional development opportunities to enhance understanding of early childhood education and best practices for children with medical complexities.

• Completes general clerical and administrative duties, places small orders, as needed.

• Orients Volunteers and provides direction regarding appropriate engagement with patients and program support.

• All other duties as assigned by the Director of Patient Experience.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

Associate degree in early childhood education, early childhood special education, or a related field required. Prior experience working in a medical setting, or work with medically complex children preferred. The ideal candidate exhibits a genuine passion for early childhood education, knowledge of child development principles and best practices, is committed to supporting a nurturing environment, displays strong communication skills, flexibility, self-motivation, and can collaborate as part of a team working with young children. Hold a current Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

These include stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, grasping, pulling, pushing, standing, carrying, and lifting of light loads (up to 35 lb.).

Ranken Jordan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Ranken-Jordan Home for Convalescent Crippled Children