Health Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Health Specialist ensures the children and families have access to high-quality, comprehensive health services. This includes the coordination and delivery of a wide range of medical, dental, mental health, and nutritional services for Head Start and Early Head Start children, including those with disabilities. All services must be provided in alignment with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, as well as all applicable federal, state, and grantee regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Collaboration & Communication with Parents
• Collaborate with parents to promote the health and well-being of their children in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
• Obtain parental consent before screenings and examinations, and maintain documentation of refusals.
• Engage in health education for parents and communicate screening results, along with any required follow-up actions.
• Assist with outreach and recruitment for program enrollment.

Child Health Status & Care
• Assess health needs of children and families, and assist Family Service Specialist in determining eligibility for funding sources like Medicaid or CHIP.
• Assist Family Service Specialist and ensure children are linked to health services and have a "medical home" and "dental home" within 30 days.
• Keep children's medical and dental records up to date and ensure health status is reviewed within 90 days of enrollment.
• Perform health, vision, hearing, and immunization screenings, and coordinate medical and dental examinations.
• Identify health or dental concerns and work with the Health & Nutrition Manager to develop care plans.
• Model health-related classroom activities and promote early intervention and preventive health services.

Oral Health Practices
• Monitor and facilitate preventive care, treatment, and follow-up for children's oral health.
• Ensure children with teeth are assisted in daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste.

Family Support Services for Health, Nutrition, and Mental Health
• Review health records of newly enrolled children, interpret medical recommendations, and assist families with understanding them.
• Coordinate with staff when necessary to counsel families on health matters.
• Track children's health information on database systems and implement follow-up activities.
• Ensure medical and dental screenings are set up and transportation is provided when necessary.

Safety Practices
• Promote health and safety practices and coordinate first aid, sanitation, and emergency medical procedures as needed.

KEY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES NEEDED:
• Have exceptional people skills and customer service. Must have the ability to read and comprehend intermediate to complex instructions. Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary to interact with all levels of management, colleagues, and staff to ensure consistency and proper procedure implementation.
• Have advanced technological skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 Application Suite, and client-tracking software.
• Have effective leadership and organizational skills.
• Problem-solve effectively and make data-driven decisions.
• Have familiarity with the Head Start/Early Head Start Act, Head Start Performance Standards, and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Childcare Licensing Standards.
• Promote a harassment-free environment.
• Be able to work independently or on teams in a challenging work atmosphere.
• Be able to prioritize and balance multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
• Plan and complete tasks and assignments on schedule with minimal supervision using appropriate judgment.
• Exercise appropriate judgment, discretion, and maintain the confidentiality of all GCCSA's stakeholders.
• Avoid any interest or activity that conflicts with GCCSA's Standards of Conduct.
• Be experienced in conflict resolution; and
• Work with intentionality and integrity to ethically uphold GCCSA's mission, values, and goals.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK ENVIRONMENT

GCCSA's work locations vary based on the duties and responsibilities of the GCCSA team members (e.g., office, workstation, classroom, food pantry, warehouse, training, and/or counseling rooms). In general, the noise level is usually quiet to moderately noisy.

VITAL TRAITS
• People-person
• Adaptable
• Self-starter
• Energetic
• Results-oriented
• Respectful

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The following educational/experiential, licensing/certifications, communication, and physical demands outlined below must be evident and met satisfactorily:

1. Education/Experience

Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
• Must be from an accredited RN or LVN school of nursing
• Critical-Thinker • Decisive • Trustworthy • Inclusive • Servant-Leader
• Must hold a current Texas License
• Other combinations of education and experience may qualify an applicant for consideration

Minimum of three (3) years of pediatric nursing experience in:
• Community health
• Occupational health
• Or other related health experience

Preferred qualifications and experience:
• Direct services experience with low-income families
• Experience working with individuals from varied backgrounds and ethnicities
• Experience with infants and toddlers with health needs
• Knowledge of Early Head Start services
• Experience with:

o Disability services

o Dental services

o Services for pregnant women in Head Start/Early Head Start

Current Instructor Training/Certification to teach Infant/Child CPR and First Aid is preferred

2. Communication

Communicates and comprehends information and ideas in English.

3. Physical Demands
• move about various locations to access office equipment.
• observe details at close range.
• move items weighing up to 30 pounds.
• travel to and from assigned work locations.
• lift items from the floor up to 30 pounds.
• reach overhead and to the floor; and
• wear personal protective equipment, when necessary.

4. Travel Requirements
• Attend job-related activities such as meetings, training, workshops, etc., both in and out of the service areas;
• Have reliable transportation.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT

GCCSA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. GCCSA makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

In addition, GCCSA retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position, as needed.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT

If requested, GCCSA will attempt to provide reasonable accommodations to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.