Health Specialist (3833)

Purpose and Impact

The Health Specialist promotes and maintains the health of children enrolled in the Head Start program and performs a variety of technical and clerical duties to implement all aspects of the Head Start Health Component. Participates in the HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts.

Essential Functions

• Works with Family and Community Engagement Specialists and Health Coordinator in obtaining complete medical and developmental history for each child who enrolls in the Head Start Program
• Inputs health information into computer; maintain health charts and records
• Assumes primary responsibility for all health related tracking and follow-up, including but not limited to, physical exams, special health needs, dental exams, dental follow-up, and immunizations
• Identifies and assesses medical needs of children in collaboration with contracted nurse; arrange for treatment or refer parents to providers for treatment
• Provides follow up on abnormal findings on physical exams by consulting with parents and Program Nurse or contracted nurse
• Ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations regarding physical exams and immunizations
• Involves supervisor and/or contracted nurse as needed
• Arranges and participates in health care training programs for staff, parents and children
• Participates in health related staffing and screening conferences
• Measures heights and weights two times per year on each enrolled child and generate BMI charts for child files
• Completes vision and hearing screenings on each Head Start child within 45 days of enrollment
• Transports children to dental/medical appointments as needed
• Notifies supervisor and/or contracted nurse of all special health needs for children and follow up with nurse to ensure health care plans are written and in child files
• Follows up to ensure health care plans are properly implemented by classroom staff
• Collaborates with contracted nurse to schedule staff trainings, child triage, and other items as needed
• Maintains positive relationships with community health partners
• Completes Program Information Report data
• Visits homes of children to assess home situation and to provide parents with health and dental information
• Observes children in classroom to detect health care needs
• Provides dental triage for Head Start children
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures
• Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the supervisor
• Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift at least 45 lbs
• Reasonable accommodation may be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities
• Occasional bending, stooping and lifting up to 25 lbs
• Occasional driving to provide program support

Minimum Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent. Additional community or college classes in health care preferred.

Experience: One year experience in children's health care is required.

Licenses/Certifications: Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Florida driver's license. Certification in First Aid and CPR within six months of the date assigned to this position. Successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check and drug screening prior to hiring.

Language: Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to utilize various agency resources including technology to appropriately answer questions and provide guidance to staff and parents
• Ability to train and provide presentations to large and small groups
• Ability to collaborate with and have working knowledge of local community resources related to health services
• Ability to communicate (verbally and written) effectively and appropriately with others
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
• Ability to understand, interpret and implement policies and procedures
• Sustained concentration and attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to prioritize and manage work load and deadlines
• Excellent diagnostic and problem solving skills
• Exceptional organization skills and attention to detail are required and the candidate must be able to meet designated deadlines
• Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs

Principal Accountabilities

• Team player with co-workers and central service office staff
• Cost effective program operations
• Adherence to agency policies and management practices
• Effective staff management and leadership

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.