Health Specialist

Matrix Human Services; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Rx

Dental

Vision

Life/AD&D Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Short & Long-Term Disability

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

403(b) Retirement Account

Job summary

Matrix Human Services in Detroit is seeking a Health Specialist to support the Health and Nutrition Department for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. You will manage ChildPlus data, monitor timelines, and help with inventories, ensuring accurate documentation and timely health services.

You will coordinate with centers, assist with screenings, and provide health education resources while maintaining confidentiality and working within a diverse team environment.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Health, Nutrition, Human Services, Early Childhood Education or related field preferred.
• At least one year of experience in community health, nutrition resources, health services, or family-focused work.

Responsibilities

• Monitor Health and Nutrition data via ChildPlus and department tracking systems.
• Support health requirements and compliance for one assigned center.
• Identify missing/incomplete/expired health documentation and communicate findings.
• Ensure health data is accurate and timely; correct discrepancies.
• Monitor Head Start health timelines and tracking systems.
• Run and review ChildPlus reports for monitoring and audits.
• Provide clarification on Health policies and processes.
• Conduct hearing and vision screenings as needed.
• Provide health, nutrition, dental resources and parent education.
• Maintain Health and Nutrition inventory and track supplies and equipment.
• Coordinate distribution of supplies and ensure proper storage and tracking.
• Develop standardized inventory and tracking procedures.

Skills

Data entry

Organizational skills

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

Associate degree in Health, Nutrition, Human Services, Early Childhood Education

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Job description

Description

Matrix Human Services is Educating Children, Supporting Families and Rebuilding Neighborhoods in Detroit.
THE IMPACT YOU WILL BE A PART OF WITH JOINING MATRIX

• Over 30 program locations throughout Detroit and surrounding areas
• 20,000+ individuals benefiting from Matrix services every year
• The largest Head Start Program in the city of Detroit
• The largest HIV treatment and prevention program in Detroit
• After school youth services and academic enrichment
• Workforce Development and Financial Literacy Programs
• Housing Education and Home Buying Assistance
• Healthy Senior Living Program

FOCUS ON PERSONAL AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. Tuition Assistance. Professional Development Support. In-House Learning and Professional Development Platform.
WE EMBRACE WORK LIFE BALANCE. Vacation Banks. Paid Holidays.

BENEFITS OPTIONS.

• Medical/Rx.
• Dental.
• Vision.
• Life/AD&D Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Combine Short- & Long-Term Disability.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 403(b) Retirement Account.

CEO Starr Allen-Pettway has been honored by the Michigan Chronicle as a distinguished nonprofit leader in Southeast Michigan.

CORE VALUES:

• Positive Attitude
• Always Learning
• Results Through Accountability
• Building Relationships

JOB SUMMARY/ACCOUNTABILITY

The Health Specialist supports the Health and Nutrition Department in the implementation and monitoring of high-quality health services for Early Head Start and Head Start children and families.

The primary focus of the Health Specialist is department-wide operational and compliance support, including ChildPlus data management and reporting, Health and Nutrition inventory management, ordering and order follow-up, supply distribution, equipment tracking, and department-wide tracking systems.

The Health Specialist monitors ChildPlus health data and reports to identify missing, incomplete, expired, or inaccurate health information; assists with department-wide tracking and follow-up; and supports the Health and Nutrition team in ensuring required health services are completed within established timelines.

The Health Specialist maintains and monitors Health and Nutrition inventory systems, assists with ordering and order follow-up, coordinates and documents the distribution of supplies, monitors stock levels, conducts inventory reconciliation, and tracks department equipment and supplies.

The Health and Nutrition Department manages a high volume of supplies for both Early Head Start and Head Start, including diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, health supplies, nutrition materials, and other center-specific needs. Inventory moves quickly based on daily center needs, enrollment, and usage, requiring continuous monitoring, ordering, reconciliation, and distribution to prevent shortages and ensure centers have the supplies needed to operate.

The Health Specialist may provide department-wide health services support, including assisting with hearing and vision screenings and other health activities as needed; however, the position does not carry the same primary assigned-center caseload responsibilities as the Health and Nutrition Associate position.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of an associate degree from an accredited college in Health, Nutrition, Human Services, Early Childhood Education, or a related field preferred; relevant health-related credential and/or equivalent experience may be considered.
• At least one year of related experience with emphasis on community health, nutrition resources, health services, or services to children and families.
• Strong organizational, data-entry, recordkeeping, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to identify discrepancies and maintain accurate tracking systems.
• Ability to work effectively with minimal daily supervision and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Effective in an environment of cultural diversity and comfortable in a collaborative, team-based work setting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Reliable transportation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of children and family information

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Department-Wide Health Data & Compliance Support

• Monitor Health and Nutrition data through ChildPlus reports and department tracking systems, including physicals, immunizations, dental examinations, hearing and vision screenings, and other required health documentation.
• Support Health requirements and compliance activities for one assigned center.
• Identify missing, incomplete, expired, or inaccurate health documentation and communicate findings to appropriate Health and Nutrition staff for follow-up.
• Ensure health information is entered accurately and timely and assist with identifying and correcting data discrepancies.
• Monitor required Head Start health timelines and maintain department-wide tracking systems for outstanding requirements and follow-up.
• Run and review ChildPlus reports and assist with documentation needed for monitoring, audits, reviews, and other compliance activities.
• Provide clarification and technical support related to Health policies, procedures, data, and department processes.

Health Services & Support

• Conduct hearing and vision screenings for children from birth to five as needed to support department-wide screening requirements.
• Provide information and resources related to health, nutrition, and dental services and assist with health-focused activities, screenings, Health Fairs, parent education, and community partnerships.

Inventory, Ordering, Distribution & Equipment

• Maintain and monitor the Health and Nutrition Department's inventory system.
• Conduct routine physical inventory counts and reconcile inventory records.
• Track Health and Nutrition supplies, including diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, nutrition materials, health supplies, and other designated inventory.
• Monitor inventory levels, usage, enrollment, and daily center needs and identify items requiring replenishment.
• Assist with ordering Health and Nutrition supplies and monitor orders, backorders, substitutions, deliveries, and outstanding items through completion.
• Receive, verify, organize, and document incoming supplies and coordinate distribution to EHS and HS centers.
• Ensure EHS and HS Health and Nutrition materials and supplies are appropriately tracked and accounted for.
• Maintain organized inventory and storage areas and identify shortages, discrepancies, expired products, damaged products, and other inventory concerns.
• Maintain department equipment tracking records, including equipment location, maintenance, calibration, repair, service, and replacement needs.
• Assist with coordinating equipment service, repair, calibration, and loaner equipment as needed.
• Assist with developing and maintaining standardized inventory, ordering, distribution, and tracking procedures.

Additional Responsibilities

• Model the values of good health and nutrition.
• Maintain adequate safeguards for the privacy and confidentiality of information.
• Participate in department meetings, agency training, pre-service and new staff onboarding training and professional development opportunities.
• Assist with community partnerships.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

WORKING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Works in a normal office environment with the usual pressures of managing personnel and dealing with time constraints. Because of multiple sites within the department and the need to meet with others within the community, it is common to drive to several locations, sometimes in inclement weather. May be required to lift up to 25 pounds.