Family Home Visitor

Freeborn County; Albert Lea (MN); On-site; USD 27,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

Freeborn County is seeking a Family Home Visitor to provide paraprofessional services to families with young children, screening for parenting risk factors and promoting healthy family relationships. The role supports local public health activities and community resources, including assisting non-English speakers and conducting home safety visits.

The position requires a minimum of a high school diploma and 1–3 years of relevant experience; infant mental health endorsement is recommended but not

Qualifications

• Knowledge of infant and child development.
• Knowledge of public health programs and policies.
• Knowledge of community resources available to parents and families in Freeborn County.
• Knowledge of parenting strategies and approaches.
• Knowledge of cultural influences and differences on parenting practices.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and data privacy requirements.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to use various computer and software programs.
• Ability to establish trusting relationships.
• Acceptance of individual differences.
• Experience and humility to work with culturally diverse families.
• Willing to engage in building reflective capacity (e.g. Capacity of introspection, communicating awareness of self in relation to others, recognizing values of supervision, etc.).
• Ability to handle a variety of typical assignments under moderate supervision within standard operating procedures.
• Ability to apply a variety of procedures and policies requiring moderate analytical ability in adapting standard methods to fit facts and conditions.
• Ability to communicate and maintain relationships requiring frequent contact within and without the department, with clients, and with other agencies and resources.

Responsibilities

• Teaches parenting skills to clients to promote positive parent/child interactions.
• Refers families to community resources or other agencies to assist in meeting needs and obtaining additional services.
• Assists non-English speakers in using the language line.
• Develops an Individual Family Service Plan/Goal Planning to assist in goal identification. Updates and revises the plans as needs or issues change.
• Performs annual home safety visits and checks.
• Completes Ages & Stages Questionnaires to identify developmental concerns and need for a Help Me Grow referral.

Skills

Infant development

Public health programs

Community resources

Parenting strategies

Cultural sensitivity

Confidentiality

Communication skills

Computer skills

Relationship building

Teamwork

Reflective capacity

Analytical ability

Non-English support

Education

High school diploma

1–3 years relevant experience

Infant mental health endorsement recommended

Tools

CPR certification

AED certification

Office software

Public health software

Job description

Freeborn County Government Center
411 Broadway S
Albert Lea, MN 56007, USA

Description

The Family Home Visitor performs paraprofessional services to client families with children from prenatal to preschool and/or kindergarten entrance identified through screening and assessment to have some parenting risk factors. Works with families to promote positive functional and healthy family relationships and assist families in becoming self-sufficient.

This position has a part in implementing the required Local Public Health Activities that are organized according to the following areas: assure an adequate public health infrastructure; promote healthy communities and healthy behavior; prevent the spread of infectious disease; protect against environmental health hazards; prepare for and respond to disasters and assist communities in recovery; and assure the quality and accessibility of health services.

Service Provider Duties and Responsibilities

• Teaches parenting skills to clients to promote positive parent/child interactions.
• Refers families to community resources or other agencies to assist in meeting needs and obtaining additional services.
• Assists non-English speakers in using the language line.
• Develops an Individual Family Service Plan/Goal Planning to assist in goal identification. Updates and revises the plans as needs or issues change.
• Performs annual home safety visits and checks.
• Completes Ages & Stages Questionnaires to identify developmental concerns and need for a Help Me Grow referral.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Documents all client activities, visits, services, concerns or other relevant information per agency policy.
• Maintains and updates various software programs.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings. Shares client information with their Family Home Visiting Coordinator.
• Participates in Newborn Clinic, Family Fun Festival, and other group activities.
• Participates in and promotes the culture of Quality Improvement within the Public Health department.
• Prepares for and responds to emergencies, events, and incidents, and assists in communities in recovery.
• Responds 24/7, ad needed, during a public health emergency.

While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County.

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of infant and child development.
• Knowledge of public health programs and policies.
• Knowledge of community resources available to parents and families in Freeborn County.
• Knowledge of parenting strategies and approaches.
• Knowledge of cultural influences and differences on parenting practices.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and data privacy requirements.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to use various computer and software programs.
• Ability to establish trusting relationships.
• Acceptance of individual differences.
• Experience and humility to work with culturally diverse families.
• Willing to engage in building reflective capacity (e.g. Capacity of introspection, communicating awareness of self in relation to others, recognizing values of supervision, etc.).
• Ability to handle a variety of typical assignments under moderate supervision within standard operating procedures.
• Ability to apply a variety of procedures and policies requiring moderate analytical ability in adapting standard methods to fit facts and conditions.
• Ability to communicate and maintain relationships requiring frequent contact within and without the department, with clients, and with other agencies and resources.

Education and Experience

• Minimum or high school diploma
• One to three years of relevant work experience in working with providing services to children and families.
• Infant mental health endorsement recommended, but not required.

Licenses/Certifications

This position will require the acquisition and maintenance of the following additional certificates/licenses:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Maintains CPR and AED Certification
• Must participate in annual training in bloodborne compliance standards
• Other certifications and trainings as required by job duties

Equipment and Tools

• Continuous use of office equipment and technology
• Intermittent use of county vehicle and medical equipment
• Frequent use of Personal Protective Equipment and Communication Equipment
• Continuous use of car seats and proper installation

Physical and Mental Requirements

This job typically requires: sitting, standing, walking, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, typing, and seeing. There is exposure to computer keyboards and video screens. This position is generally light-duty and may require the exertion up to 20 pounds of force.

The physical demands described here are representative to those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office, client homes or other indoor or outdoor settings. Worker is subject to variable outside weather conditions. Motor vehicle travel is required. There is potential exposure to infectious diseases and bloodborne pathogens. Worker may be subject to odors, wetness, poor illumination, and sudden temperature change. Worker may be exposed to dangerous physical and/or environmental conditions (animals, insects, rodents, house in need of repair, drugs, weapons etc.) Worker is exposed to noise, distractions, and interruptions. Worker may be exposed to infestation of bed bugs and roaches. Worker may be exposed to hostile, verbally abusive, and emotional clients.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies Common to All County Positions

• Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all departmental and applicable County policies and procedures.
• Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff.
• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible.
• Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities.
• Represent Freeborn County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies.

Minimum starting pay is $23.45 per hour.

FREEBORN COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.