Assistant Director, Student Accessibility

Description:

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better.

 

At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community.

 

Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

 

The Assistant Director of Student Accessibility Services is responsible for supporting students with disabilities at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. The Assistant Director serves as a disability subject matter expert for the School by reviewing documentation and coordinating appropriate accommodations for students in the classroom and during clerkship to provide equal access to educational opportunities at the school. The Assistant Director will assist the Director of Student Accessibility Services in the day-to-day operation of the office by working directly with students, faculty, staff, and other campus stakeholders to ensure equitable access for students. This person will also be responsible for identifying, developing, and maintaining new support programs and initiatives for students with documented disabilities.

 

This is a full-time, in person position based out of Nutley, New Jersey.

Responsibilties:

A day in the life of a Assistant Director of Student Accessibility Services at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Meet with incoming and enrolled students to review their documentation of disability (diagnostic and psycho-educational assessment reports) and explain the procedures necessary to receive appropriate services and reasonable accommodations.
• Consult with the Director to complete the eligibility determination and plan for reasonable and appropriate accommodation for students with complex disabilities.
• Ensure that the provision of services utilizes an interactive process that addresses student access needs and academic integrity.
• Prepare letters of reasonable accommodations based on a review of the documentation filed by the student.
• Maintain confidential records and correspondence while tracking and compiling accommodation requests.
• Work closely with the Director of Student Accessibility Services to ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for students with disabilities.
• Assist the Director in ensuring that the HMSOM is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and all other federal, state, and local laws within the scope of Accessibility Services.
• Recommend appropriate assistive technology, hardware, and/or specialized software based on the evaluation of individual needs.
• Supervise and implement exam administration process for students, provide oversight support to testing Services and serve as a proctor as needed.
• Resolve daily operational/workplace issues and notify the Director of significant or ongoing issues.
• Collaborate with faculty, academic advisors, and other staff to resolve student needs and concerns.
• Provide training (formal presentations) on disability-related topics to promote awareness, sensitivity, and competence in ensuring access for individuals with disabilities.
• Represent the Office of Student Accessibility Services at orientation and/or educational options. In the absence of the Director, serve as an administrator in charge of Student Accessibility Services.
• Perform related duties based on departmental need.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Special Education, or closely related field.
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience providing reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in higher education.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing clinical documentation, conducting interactive processes of determining reasonable accommodations and services for students with documented disabilities in higher education.
• Thorough knowledge of all broad categories of disabilities (ADD/ADHD, Learning, Mobility, Visual, Hearing, Psychiatric, Medical) and the reasonable accommodations that apply required.
• Proficient knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other appropriate laws pertaining to higher education and disability.
• Ability to analyze complex situations and to make sound judgments and decisions.
• Proficiency with a range of assistive technologies and adaptive equipment and their application (Dragon, Kurzweil, Zoom Text).
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with faculty, staff, administrators, students, and campus partners.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, and organizational skills with exceptional work ethic and a track record of personal initiative.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and occasional weekends.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently without supervision.
• Ability to write procedures, policies, and guidelines.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Skill at developing and delivering presentations to multiple campus stakeholders.
• Proficiency in the use of Google Workspace and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

 

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

• Higher education especially in health sciences.
• Experience with evaluating disability documentation, including psychoeducational, psychological, and medical evaluations.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to interpret and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended (ADAAA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Experience working with technology systems that support students on campus.
• Experience supervising administrative or professional staff. 

 

If you feel that the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!