DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT ADVOCATE

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About Us
At Cooper University Health Care, our commitment to providing extraordinary health care begins with our team. Our extraordinary professionals are continuously discovering clinical innovations and enhanced access to the most up-to-date facilities, equipment, technologies and research protocols. We have a commitment to our employees by providing competitive rates and compensation, a comprehensive employee benefits programs, attractive working conditions, and the chance to build and explore a career opportunity by offering professional development.
 
Discover why Cooper University Health Care is the employer of choice in South Jersey.
Short Description
The Developmental Support Advocate will assess the psychosocial needs of patients with intellectual/developmental disabilities to offer and implement supportive, therapeutic interventions such as preparation for health care encounters, procedural support and coping strategies, and opportunities for developmentally appropriate activity. The Developmental Support Advocate will be an advocate for neuro-divergent patients and serve as a resource for other hospital staff in areas of developmental differences, family-centered care, trauma-informed care, and age versus developmentally appropriate interactions.
 
Responsiblities:
Prioritizes and advocates for individualized care for patients with intellectual/developmental disabilities who have been identified within the Cooper Health System, helps identify new patients who meet criteria of same.
Assesses psychosocial and developmental needs of patients with intellectual/developmental disabilities and implements or adapts services and goals as needed.
Provides developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed education and emotional support for patients with intellectual/developmental disabilities about health care encounters, the hospital environment, new diagnoses or injuries, grief, etc.
Provides recommendations to the multidisciplinary team to increase patient cooperation and compliance with care and treatment while maintaining patient\u2019s dignity.
 
Experience Required
Minimum 1 year experience working with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Communication \u2013 Ability to communicate with patients, visitors and coworkers.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's Degree - Psychology, Human Development, Social Work, or other closely related field will be considered.
License/Certification Requirements
Certified Child Life Specialist, American Heart Association BLS certification, Bilingual is preferred.
Special Requirements
Scheduled Days / Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm

Company info

Cooper University Health Care
Website : http://www.cooperhealth.org