Health Specialist (3833)

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is seeking a talented Health Specialist who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose and Impact:

The Health Specialist promotes and maintains the health of children enrolled in the Head Start program and performs a variety of technical and clerical duties to implement all aspects of the Head Start Health Component. Participates in the HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts.

Essential Functions: 

• Works with Family and Community Engagement Specialists and Health Coordinator in obtaining complete medical and developmental history for each child who enrolls in the Head Start Program. 
• Inputs health information into computer; maintain health charts and records.
• Assumes primary responsibility for all health related tracking and follow-up, including but not limited to, physical exams, special health needs, dental exams, dental follow-up, and immunizations.
• Identifies and assesses medical needs of children in collaboration with contracted nurse; arrange for treatment or refer parents to providers for treatment.
• Provides follow up on abnormal findings on physical exams by consulting with parents and Program Nurse or contracted nurse.
• Ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations regarding physical exams and immunizations. Involves supervisor and/or contracted nurse as needed.
• Arranges and participates in health care training programs for staff, parents and children.
• Participates in health related staffing and screening conferences.
• Measures heights and weights two times per year on each enrolled child and generate BMI charts for child files.
• Completes vision and hearing screenings on each Head Start child within 45 days of enrollment.
• Transports children to dental/medical appointments as needed.
• Notifies supervisor and/or contracted nurse of all special health needs for children and follow up with nurse to ensure health care plans are written and in child files.
• Follows up to ensure health care plans are properly implemented by classroom staff.
• Collaborates with contracted nurse to schedule staff trainings, child triage, and other items as needed.
• Maintains positive relationships with community health partners.
• Completes Program Information Report data.
• Visits homes of children to assess home situation and to provide parents with health and dental information.
• Observes children in classroom to detect health care needs.
• Provides dental triage for Head Start children.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the supervisor
• Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities. 
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required

Other Functions:

Note: The duties above are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described above.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to lift at least 45 lbs. Reasonable accommodation may be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Education: 

High school diploma or GED equivalent. Additional community or college classes in health care preferred.

Experience:

• One year experience in children's health care is required. 
• Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Also required:

Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Florida driver's license. Certification in First Aid and CPR within six months of the date assigned to this position; and successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check and drug screening prior to hiring.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to utilize various agency resources including technology to appropriately answer questions and provide guidance to staff and parents.
• Ability to train and provide presentations to large and small groups.
• Ability to collaborate with and have working knowledge of local community resources related to health services.
• Ability to communicate (verbally and written) effectively and appropriately with others.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Ability to understand, interpret and implement policies and procedures.
• Sustained concentration and attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize and manage work load and deadlines.
• Excellent diagnostic and problem solving skills.
• Occasional bending, stooping and lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Occasional driving to provide program support.
• Exceptional organization skills and attention to detail are required and the candidate must be able to meet designated deadlines.

Other:

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Team player with co-workers and central service office staff. 
• Cost effective program operations.
• Adherence to agency policies and management practices. 
• Effective staff management and leadership.

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
  • Note: Head Start employees paid time off and holiday schedule may differ
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Lutheran Services Florida is mandated to perform background screenings for employment in accordance with the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse as outlined in Section 435.12, Florida Statutes. Additionally, pursuant to House Bill 531 (2025), Lutheran Services Florida must ensure that all job vacancy postings and advertisements include a clear and conspicuous link to the AHCA Clearinghouse website and its requirements. For more information on background screening requirements please visit:

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