The NICU Parent/Family Support Specialist is a staff member who is also the parent or primary caregiver of a child who received care in the NICU. They serves as the parent on staff and participates as an active member of the NICU interdisciplinary health care team. The Parent/Family Support Specialist offers a unique perspective as a parent of a child recently hospitalized in the NICU at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. They demonstrate knowledge of and a commitment to the philosophy of patient– and family-centered care in alignment with the strategic plans and goals of the division of Children’s and Women’s Services and Patient Care, UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital, and UI Health Care.

The Parent/Family Support Specialist works with families in the NICU to provide:

• Emotional support
• Navigate health, educational, and social service systems
• Connections to community resources

Activities of the NICU Parent Support Specialist have primarily a unit-wide scope, impact, and outcome for patients, family members, faculty, staff, learners, and volunteers.

Position Responsibilities

Scope of responsibility includes, but is not limited to:

• Provide 1:1 support to parents/family members of babies in the NICU through information, comfort, and direct services. This happens by developing and fostering positive and productive relationships with NICU families through regular contact to ensure they are knowledgeable about care, support, and service options for their child.

• Advocate for the family voice within the NICU, Children’s and Women’s Services and Patient Care division, Division of Neonatology, UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital, and with other internal and external service agencies and providers.
• Coach families on developing advocacy skills, empowerment strategies, etc., and preparing for unit rounds and other meetings.
• Enhance family engagement with their infant, their infant’s health care and the NICU health care team during their stay in the NICU.
• Provide health education to parents including, but not limited to caring for their infant in the NICU, guidance and support regarding NICU/hospital policies and practices, safety information such as hand hygiene, visitation, etc., parent advocacy skill development. This may include care conference preparation and participation and bedside rounds (e.g. attend with families needing extra support)
• Coordinate the development, implementation, and evaluation of patient- and family-centered educational and social activities and programs designed to support both parents and staff.
• Develop and foster positive and collaborative relationships with all members of the NICU health care team, external partners, parent-to-parent networks, and support groups.
• Collaborate/engage with all levels of hospital staff including executives, directors, managers, and staff to meet the needs of NICU families. On a regular basis, this includes unit social workers, discharge coordinators, nursing leadership, unit staff, learners, physicians, ARNPs, Child Life, Guest Services, etc.
• Serve on designated unit, divisional, or hospital committees
• Participate in the training/education of faculty, staff, residents and students
• Maintain accurate records of activities, 1:1 support, etc.
• Ensure the sustainability of parent programs and support future initiatives to support growth and coordinated care of the family experience in the NICU environment
• Achieves and maintains Family Peer Support Specialist certification through the Iowa Board of Certification.

• Performs other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (social work, nursing, education, public health) or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience Requirements

• Experience as a parent or primary care giver managing the care of an infant or child at home following hospitalization in an NICU.Or
• Demonstrated related experience, including knowledge of and/or understanding of the issues/experiences faced by patients and families in the NICU (emotional, medical, etc.)
• Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to the philosophy and principles of patient- and family-centered care
• Experience working with community partners and resources for children discharged from an NICU or with special health care needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including capacity to demonstrate positive interpersonal skills and work as a cooperative team member.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement in handling sensitive and confidential information and situations
• Proficiency in computer software applications, including demonstrated experience in using email and using the Internet for locating resources.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience serving in an advocacy role for families with an infant in the NICU and/or a special health care need.
• Previous experience that demonstrates leadership skills.
• Work experience in a hospital or other medical setting.
• Experience in program/project development and coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to speak, read, and/or write in different languages, including Spanish.

This position in renewed yearly as Specified Term. More information about Specified Term positions can be found here: Status Definitions | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa

Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal background check and education/credential verification. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

This position is not eligible for university sponsorship for employment authorization.

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.

For additional questions, please contact Lydia Messer at lydia-messer@uiowa.edu

Benefits Highlights

• Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans
• The University of Iowa offers a generous benefits package, including paid vacation and paid sick leave. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at: Benefits | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)