Health Specialist

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.