JOB DESCRIPTION
*
Title: Health Specialist*
Reports to: Director of Health Services
FLSA: Exempt
\*\*\*\*LPN's & RN's ONLY \*\*\*\*
*
Job Responsibilities:*
- Directs and supervises Health Specialist Assistant(s) and/or Health Aide(s)
- Responsible for yearly evaluations of Health Specialist Assistant(s) and/or Health Aide(s)
- Learns and adheres to the philosophy and mandates of Head Start/Early Head Start as outlined in the Performance Standards and the Policies and Procedures of Greater Bergen Community Action
- Understands how children develop and learn in a variety of school, family and community contexts and provides opportunities that support their intellectual, social, emotional and physical development
- Attends in-service and pre-service training workshops as required and/or requested
- Assists with the health education training for the staff during preservice
- Coordinates First Aid/CPR trainings for the staff
- Reviews the safety drills protocols for all the sites
- Responsible for conducting and documenting monthly drills at assigned site, oversees the compliance of this task at other sites, and keeps the logs for the Fire Department and Local School Districts.
- Provides liaison with community public and private health agencies
- Maintains a close working relationship with the existing medical services in the local community and attempts to effect change to improve the quality of these services
- Responsible for coordinating and supervising all phases of the health content area, record keeping and reports
- Develops an in-depth master plan for health content area in a clear, precise manner, which would serve as a monthly guide in case of absence
- Supervises the maintenance and upkeep of current and accurate tracking records of the Health Section of all children’s files.
- Responsible for reviewing infant, toddler’s and child’s immunization records and medical history of child prior to child’s entrance into Head Start and Early Head Start program
- Participates in initial intake and obtains medical histories of children at assigned sites
- Oversees intake process of Health Specialist Assistant(s)
- Prepares and maintains Food Allergy/ Restriction list and post in classrooms and email to nutrition staff
- Prepares and maintains Medical Emergency Permission forms in red folders in the classrooms
- Participates in the training for the parents during Orientation Day.
- Prepares and maintains classroom health bulletin boards, posts and maintains emergency procedures
- Issues first aid equipment to teachers, checks periodically for refills. Requisitions medical supplies and equipment as needed
- Distributes toothbrushes and toothpaste in September, January, April and July
- Conducts hand washing and dental hygiene demonstrations for staff and students
- Plan for and participate in back to school events and health fairs, these activities will be scheduled during the day, evening or weekend
- Plan and/or participate in class trips or any other type of event that may take the teacher and/or students out of the typical classroom environment
- Responsible for setting up all screening within the first 45 days of the program year and assists with the supervision of health screenings
- Provides and notifies parents of health screening dates and informs them of results in writing and initiates and monitors referrals as indicated
- Performs heights, weights and BMI on students in October and April, keeps and updates health nutrition records and consults with nutrition staff
- Conducts parent conferences when necessary
- In conjunction with the Associate Director of Specials Services, works on Health Services Advisory Committee, the schedule, agenda and logistics.
- Participates in Team Meetings with education, social services and special services staff to discuss any concerns with a child; and is responsible for all follow up and referral work pertaining to health and nutrition area.
- Compiles and distributes health summary IMM-8/yellow cards to the parents with all information regarding medical/dental care and services the child received during the year. Oversees the complying and distribution of this information at other sites by Health Specialist Assistant(s)
- Develops clear procedures for referrals, follow up and transfers of medical records to the public schools
- Monitors and maintains tracking forms for medical, dental, hearing, vision, and immunizations monthly and reports past due to Associate Director of Special Services and sends reminder letter to parents
- Performs and maintains immunization reviews and work with the local and state Health Department during the immunization audits.
- Insures that all state and federal mandates are adhered to in relation to health issues
- Submits requisitions for medical supplies and equipment to Associate Director of Special Services for approval
- Administers and monitors medications and completes medication log monthly and forwards report to Associate Director of Special Services
- Responds appropriately to medical emergencies and inform the administrators if any 911 phone call was in place.
- Works closely with Family Workers and families who have special health problems and issues and develops community resource list of health services that will help these families
- Attends Administrative Team meetings as directed.
- Attends meetings required by to Associate Director of Special Services and/or any other administrator.
- Maintains the safety and bodily cleanliness of each child during the school day
- Participates as active, responsible members of the professional community, engaging in a wide range of reflective practices, pursuing opportunities to grow professionally and establishing collegial relationships to enhance the teaching and learning process
- Learns through professional education organizations
- Contributes to making the entire school a productive learning climate through participation in collegial activities
- Is punctual and adheres to the work schedule assigned
- In the event of an emergency or an unpredictable circumstance, assists with classroom coverage at own site and/or any other site upon request of supervisor and/or administration
- Communicates clearly and concisely in English, both orally and written
- Operates a computer and other standard office equipment to meet the demands of the position
- Assumes and performs any other additional assignment as directed by administration in order to ensure the effective servicing the clients in our care
- “Responsible for the overall safety of each child in the GBCA HS/EHS program.
- According to the New Jersey mandated reporting guidelines, any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or acts of abuse should immediately report this information to the State Central Registry (SCR). If the child is in immediate danger, call 911 as well as 1-877 NJ ABUSE (1-877-652-2873).”
*
Knowledge of:*
- Writing, filing and maintaining concise and accurate reports, correspondence and other written materials
- Modern theories, methods and practices of assigned areas of responsibility and expertise, including early childhood education, social services, emotional and/or physical health, and learning and/or physical disabilities
- Federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to the Head Start program and the assigned areas of responsibility and expertise
- Head Start Performance Standards
- Modern theories, principles and practices of supervision, including training and staff development
- Professional nursing principles, procedures and techniques used
- Medical and psychological terminology
- Medical emergency procedures
- Current medical procedures, medications and equipment
- Record keeping and filing practices and procedures
*
Qualifications:*
Tier I
- Registered Nurse
- Ability to work with children, parents and teaching staff.
- Ability to work in an administrative and supervisory capacity.
- Experience in public, community health and/or school nursing.
*
Tier II*
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Ability to work with children, parents and teaching staff.
- Ability to work in an administrative and supervisory capacity.
- Experience in public, community health and/or school nursing.
*
Ability to:*
- Organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of assigned responsibility.
- Interpret, apply, explain and reach sound decisions in accordance with regulations, policies and procedures.
- Organize and maintain specialized documentation and maintain workable file system.
- Comprehend and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures relative to the provision of social services.
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Prepare clear, concise and accurate reports, correspondence, charts, and other written materials that reflect children’s activities and progress.
- Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy and judgment in dealing with volunteers, parents and staff.
- Assign, schedule, review and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
- Provide training and leadership to assigned staff.
- Observe, access and evaluate children’s behavior, medical condition and care.
- Respond appropriately to medical emergencies.
*
Physical & Mental Demands:*
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions.
*
Physical Demands:*
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit or stand for long periods; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment, reach with hands and arms; and lift or move up to fifty pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
*
Mental Demands:*
While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems, observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform work on multiple, concurrent tasks; and interact with program management staff, volunteers, representatives of public agencies and community organization and others encountered in the course of work.
*
Work Environment:*
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee may have occasional contact with abusive and/or physically violent clients. If the employee works in typical office conditions, the noise level is generally quiet. If the employee works in a classroom setting, the noise level could be above a standard noise level.
*
AAP/EEO Statement*
Greater Bergen Community Action, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $30.00 - $33.79 per hour