Head Start Health assistant

South Plains Community Action Association, Inc.; Lubbock (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

South Plains Community Action Association, Inc. is seeking an Health Services Coordinator to assist the Health Manager in delivering medical, dental, and nutritional services to eligible children and families.

The role involves coordinating staff, resources, and regulatory compliance to ensure high-quality Head Start program services. The position may require extended hours and travel for training and meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or associate degree in a related field is required.
• Four years’ Head Start or child development experience.
• Experience in supervision and training of staff is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist Health Manager to provide comprehensive health services.
• Coordinate training and resource access for health staff.
• Ensure health screenings for Head Start children within 90 days of enrollment.
• Monitor nutrition program in classroom activities.
• Maintain records and reports for health/nutrition services.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Training supervision

Computer skills

Health program knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate degree in related field

Tools

ChildPlus

Palm handheld devices

Job description

This position entails mainly specific tasks that are technical and diverse in nature and requires the capacity for independent judgment and action and the ability to work with others to accomplish program goals and objectives and integration of program activities to achieve comprehensive program services for eligible children and families. Regular work hours are 8 am to 5 pm; however extended hours may be required.

JOB TITLE SUMMARY

Assist Health Manager and work with center staff and others to provide comprehensive health services, which include medical, dental and nutritional services for eligible children and families, including children with disabilities. Noise level could be moderate to loud in working center.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assist Health Manager, center staff and others to provide comprehensive health services, which include medical, dental and nutritional services for eligible children and families, including children with disabilities
• Work in conjunction with center staff, resources and service providers, and others to provide high quality Head Start program services
• Assist with communication between center staff, Managers and other grantee or partner administrators with regards to compliance with Head Start performance standards and other applicable regulations and guidelines
• Provide technical assistance, training, and facilitate resource access in the health service areas as requested by center staff, Manager, or other grantee or partner agency administrators
• Attend and/or facilitate training sessions, meetings and staff conferences to gain or distribute information
• Keep abreast of information and significant pending legislative actions related to health services
• Monitor centers to ensure nutrition program is being carried out in all aspects of classroom activities
• Provide training to parents and staff in the area of nutrition services
• Monitor records and program activities and work with program staff and others to ensure Health screenings are complete on each Head Start child within 90 days (preferably sooner) of enrollment.
• Arrange for preventive health services in early intervention
• Assist Health Manager in the establishment and maintenance of the Health Services Advisory Committee
• Be a team player to coordinate health (medical and dental) screenings of all enrollees
• Assist in the development of individual plans for medical and dental emergencies
• Provide leadership, guidance and information to staff, parents, children, vendors and governing bodies on Head Start Performance Standards, day care licensing and USDA requirements and policies
• Coordinate, provide and/or facilitate training for all staff on the health content area for pre-service, in-service training, and on-going staff and program development
• Assist Health Manager with maintaining records and reports for the tracking of Health/Nutrition Services
• Maintain information on accidents/incidents for children and staff
• Check ChildPlus Report for immunization records
• Work with staff to ensure that: Physical and dental examinations are complete as specified, and that follow-ups are scheduled and complete. This will include completion of child vision/hearing screening and children having required immunizations as per required schedule.
• Completion of Individual Child Health Plans and Growth charts
• Classroom lesson plans include, on an ongoing basis, activities that help children gain knowledge, skills and develop appropriate nutrition and health lifestyle habits
• Responsible for reporting to immediate supervisor or designee, if they witness or see anything present or anyone not following the SPCAA procedures or processes that place a person or program records at risk
• Capture, value, and appropriately document In-Kind, non-federal share

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES OR JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Ensure height/weight is charted
• Assist with reports of all child and incident, accident and illness
• Follow up on documented health problem areas and issues regarding health services to children and/or families
• Assist with Health/Nutrition content plans
• Assist in ordering and filling requisitions for Health supplies
• Monitor to see that child health plans for chronic illnesses are in place at the center/partner site
• Assist in parent meetings, orientations, and special functions
• The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees in this job. Employees may perform other related duties and special projects as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree required or a minimum of an associate degree from an approved college/university in a field related to one of the main Head Start content areas. Two years’ experience may be substituted for one year of college if approved by the Executive Director. Persons with associate degrees must have at least 4 years’ experience.
• Must have four (4) years experience in Head Start or a child development program
• Experience in supervision and training of cook staff
• Computer and technology skills to effectively use: work processing software, spreadsheet format, emails, internet, palm pilots, and Child Plus software
• Knowledge and experience in monitoring program services and activities, and staff oversight
• Knowledge and experience in accessing community resources
• Ability to communicate in a professional and effective manner (orally and written format) with center staff, program supervisors, and others providing services to children and families
• Able to maintain a flexible work schedule in order to attend meetings and training, in town and out-of-town, during regular working hours or on weekends or evenings
• Must be able to pass criminal background or other checks required for personnel working in child care/day care provider settings and the requirements for food service personnel

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Regularly required to sit for extended periods of time
• May require long periods of standing or walking at times
• On occasion, employee must lift, push, pull, and/or remove up to 25 lbs
• Occasional bending or squatting required.