What are the responsibilities and job description for the School Advocacy Coordinator - Cancer Center position at Texas Children's Hospital and Careers?
We’re searching for a School Advocacy Coordinator, someone who works well in a fast‑paced clinical environment and is passionate about supporting children and adolescents with complex medical needs. In this role, you will provide individualized educational guidance for pediatric hematology/oncology patients and their families, helping them navigate disruptions in schooling related to diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
You’ll collaborate closely with families, medical teams, and school personnel to facilitate smooth school reintegration during and after treatment; ensure appropriate implementation of educational supports, including 504 plans/IEP; and promote compliance with federal and state educational laws. You will serve as the primary liaison between the hospital and the patient’s home school district, advocating for students’, monitoring academic planning, and supporting families as they adjust to the educational impact of cancer or blood disorders.
Think you’ve got what it takes?
Job Duties & Responsibilities
- Collaborates and works to develop relationships with patients’ school systems
- Provides information and consultation to patients, families and school personnel
- Provides individualized educational support based on current curriculum, IEPs, or 504 Plans through 1:1 sessions or classroom instruction
- Assesses academic needs and collaborates with families, school personnel, and clinical staff to develop tailored educational plans
- Coordinates with local, regional, national and international school systems to ensure continuity of education
- Participates in school visits and conducts presentations to students and school personnel on serious, life-threatening disease/illnesses and their impact on patient functioning, academic programming, and the type of psychosocial support as needed
- Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team (e.g. Medical, Nursing, Child Life, Social Work, Psychology, and Rehabilitation Services) to align educational support with clinical care Designs and implements innovative, patient-centered educational programs that accommodate diverse learning needs, align with medical treatment plans, and support academic continuity during hospitalization
Skills & Requirements
- Master’s degree in education, special education, school counseling, school psychology, social work or related program (e.g. clinical psychology, counseling psychology) required
- Licenses and certifications:
- TSTC - Texas Standard Teaching Cert by Texas Education Agency required
- EDUDIAG - Educational Diagnostician by Texas Education Agency or School Guidance Counselor Certification or Special Education Teaching Certification preferred
- 3 years of experience in a school setting/system, school psychology or advocating for students with special needs