Health Specialist

About the role

The Health Specialist coordinates and monitors health, dental, nutrition, and safety services for enrolled children and families. This position ensures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards by reviewing health records, coordinating screenings and follow-up care, supporting children with special health needs, maintaining accurate data, and providing health education and training to families and staff. The Health Specialist works collaboratively with community providers and program staff to promote healthy outcomes and ensure children receive needed services in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

• Review each child's health information and immunization records, nutrition history prior to enrollment
• Continuously monitor health and dental needs of children
• Plan, develop and coordinate health services for infants and toddlers, preschool children, their families and staff to ensure that appropriate health services are delivered in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and other federal, state and local requirements
• Perform hearing and/or vision screenings as needed for Head Start and Early Head Start, within 45-day deadline
• Monitor the health care plans for children with health conditions
• Provide a system for follow-up treatment; check regularly with parents and other professionals to ensure examinations or treatments are completed
• Compile, analyze, and report data to ensure that children are receiving timely health services in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards
• Collaborate with Disabilities and Mental Health services to provide services for infants and toddlers, preschool children with special needs and health conditions
• Provide or arrange training for staff specifically related to health issues
• Coordinate health and safety education and training to ensure integration of health to infants and toddlers, preschool children, their families and staff
• Provide expertise consultation to staff and families as it relates to health related matters
• Serve as an advocate for child health with various community associations and agency's planning committee and boards
• Train and monitor staff for administration, handling and storage of medication and/or medical equipment for children; document status monthly
• Initiate and monitor short-term exclusion procedures
• Identify and utilize state and local resources for the health program
• Provide health education and training for parents and staff
• Assist in writing health plans, policies and procedures for health services
• Attend trainings, workshops, and meetings to enhance staff development
• Assist in coordinating the agency's health fair for parents, staff and community partners
• Make reports to the Health Advisory Committee meetings, as needed

Qualifications

• Knowledge of community health work and planning
• Minimum of one (1) year early childhood experience
• Associate Degree in Nursing or related field with a valid Certification or licensure (i.e., Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse)