Health Specialist

Head Start Health Specialist

Greater Bergen Community Action's (GBCA) Head Start program is a rewarding place for healthcare professionals to grow their careers while making a difference. Our goal is to not only get children ready for kindergarten but to prepare the entire family for life beyond the program. Our extensive services and resources range from early childhood education to health, nutrition, parent education, family counseling, financial counseling, and so much more!

At GBCA's Head Start, nurses and their supervisors play a vital role in supporting the health and development of children aged 0 to 5. Our health staff is dedicated to monitoring children's well-being, managing medical records, and providing essential health education to families, children, and staff.

This collaborative environment fosters professional growth, allowing nurses to build meaningful relationships and make a lasting impact in the community. With a focus on teamwork and a shared commitment to children's health, we are changing lives!

If you have the nursing background required and the ability to supervise a group of health professionals who focus on teamwork and share a commitment to children's health, please consider applying for our full-time, year-round Health Specialist position. Positions currently available in Bergen County, and Jersey City, New Jersey.

Responsibilities include:

• Understand how children develop and learn in a variety of school, family, and community contexts and provide opportunities that support their intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development.
• Assist the Directors of Health and Professional Development with providing health education training.
• Maintain open and ongoing communication with the supervisor to ensure alignment on health services, protocols, and any emerging concerns within the school environment.
• Provide supervision, support, and annual evaluations of Health Assistants.
• Ensure that monthly drills are conducted at all program sites according to safety drill protocols.
• Actively seek and engage community partners in the medical and dental fields to ensure access to high-quality health services for children and families.
• Responsible for scheduling, organizing logistics, and preparing a comprehensive binder for CPR and first aid emergency training sessions
• Consistently reviews data entered in Child Plus to ensure accuracy and completion of required PIR (Program Information Report) questions, overseeing entries for own caseload and those managed by the health assistants.
• Supervises the maintenance and upkeep of the Health Section of all children's files.
• Responsible for reviewing infant, toddler, and child immunization records and medical history of the child before the child's entrance into the Head Start and Early Head Start program.
• Participate in initial intake and obtain children's medical histories at assigned sites.
• Coordinate with Food & Nutrition to effectively implement all food and allergy protocols.
• Prepare and ensure that all Medical Emergency Forms are updated in each classroom at every site.
• Plan for and participate in back-to-school events and health fairs, which will be scheduled during the day, evening, or weekend.
• Plan and/or participate in class trips or any other event that may take the teacher and/or students out of the typical classroom environment.
• Responsible for scheduling and conducting all health screenings within the first 45 days of the program.
• Conduct parent consultations when necessary.
• Develop clear procedures for referrals, follow-up, and medical records transfers to public schools.
• Monitor and maintain monthly tracking forms for medical, dental, hearing, vision, and immunizations, report past due to the Director of Health, and send past due reminder letters to parents.
• Perform and maintain immunization reviews and work with the local and state Health Department during the immunization audits.
• Administer and monitor medications, complete medication logs monthly, and forward the report to the supervisor.
• Attend Administrative Team, health staff meetings, and training as directed.
• May be required to train new nurses, regardless of program affiliation, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide high-quality care.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in nursing
• 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.
• Must demonstrate English proficiency - both oral and written
• Bilingual a plus.
• Demonstrates good computer skills relevant to the position.
• Valid NJ driver's license preferred and use of own vehicle for self-transportation; local travel is required.