Health Specialist

SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT HEAD START NON-MANAGEMENT POSITION DESCRIPTION EXEMPT TITLE OF POSITION : Health Specialist IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR : Family Services and Health Supervisor Salary: 43,783 - 46,000/annually A. GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION This position works to integrate Head Start services for children and families. This position is responsible for the facilitation of Health Services (medical and dental) of the Head Start/Early Head Start program. The position is responsible for collaborating on the development and implementation of the program, tracking and record keeping, community relations and outreach. B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION Duties of the position are described in major functional areas listed below. Additional duties may be assigned. Implementation and Recordkeeping: Responsible for the following: Writes, reviews and revises Health Plans annually. Also assists in developing a system for administering and monitoring the work plan and monitoring compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards in the applicable content areas. Assists in establishing policies and procedures for the health portion of the program with parents and staff that support the effective implementation of health services. Develops a list of local health and related resources. Initiates and establishes working relationships with local providers through contractual agreements as appropriate. Establishes a system for providing health education to families through workshops, parent meetings, handouts, etc. Assist in developing and implementing a plan and system of continuous monitoring and evaluation of activities within the program. Keeps complete records and documentation of all contacts. Takes the lead for health-related requirements/regulations. Develops a system for maintenance of individual health records on children. Reviews, evaluates, and interprets health records, vital statistics and other data affecting health services. Assists the Health & Nutrition Manager as directed in the following: Health Training and Employee Health Tracking : Establishes a yearly system of training and health education for staff. Health Services Advisory Committee : Responsible for the planning, convening and implementation of policies and/or procedures of the quarterly Health Services Advisory Committee meetings. Identifies and is Knowledgeable of Health Resources : Establishes relationships and develops a thorough knowledge of health resources for families and other community resources that assist families in establishing a medical home. Assist with Establishing Collaborative Agreement with Health Service Providers : stablishes collaborative agreement with health professionals to provide services to the Head Start program in such areas as vision, hearing, child health screenings/exams, dental services and others as necessary. Agreements may include consultants and/or volunteers services. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of Performance Standards including specific knowledge of Child Health and Developmental Services portion of the Standards. Assists with the follow-up for all health services. Participates in staffing of children and is responsible for all health recommendations, as necessary. Serves as a health resource to Teachers and Family Service Workers. Attends any training, workshops and meetings deemed necessary by the supervisor. Follows the state and federal regulations pertaining to child abuse and neglect, and maintains strict confidentiality of all information. Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures. Assists in the development of protocols as necessary to support the least restrictive environment for children. Provides systems to identify and maintain contents of classroom first aid kits assuring appropriate inventories are in compliance with child care licensing and/or other regulatory agencies regarding contents. With the Family Service Workers, acts as a liaison for families. Understands, generates and documents in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement. Assist with and complete non-invasive screenings on children. Oversee contracted Nurse and assigns work needed to assess children’s health needs. Compiles information for the Nurse Consultant to assess Nutrition Assessment forms and information to be sent to families. Enters Nutrition Assessment findings into Child Plus. Monitors and continually stays current on Health and Safety requirements for the Head Start program. Ensures that Health and Safety policies and procedures are being used in the Head Start Program. C. TRAINING AND SUPERVISION Provides or arranges training for parents on health. Successfully completes and maintains basic First Aid and CPR certifications as required by the program. Responsible for understanding regulations associated with prevention of occupational disease and injury including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination. PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED TO ENSURE THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM. D. SUPERVISION EXERCISED Direct supervision means those employees the position assigns, directs, and evaluates the duties of. Position Supervised : None This position provides content area training and technical supervision of all agency staff. E. DECISIONS AND COMMITMENTS This section will describe the kinds and impact of decisions and commitments; the effects, influence and significance of these decisions; the consequence of error and the limitation of the finality of decision making. Decisions made regarding the health of the Head Start children and parents are very important. Accurate record keeping and ensuring that timely and proper referrals are made are very important to the health of the children and the success of the program. Accurate documentation and record keeping is important for follow-up and continuity in the program. F. SUPERVISION RECEIVED The job description and the content area work plans serve as guidelines. The supervisor evaluates the performance. Assistance is received from other agency staff as needed. Outside assistance can be received from other related resources. Head Start effectively uses the teamwork approach. All components are interwoven so as to better assist and support families. The immediate supervisor is responsible for appraisals of this position. G. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES Knowledge Considerable knowledge of health, nutrition, human development, community health, nursing principles, practices and procedures. Knowledge of public health programs and other resources and the availability of such programs in the community. Knowledge of local resources, languages and customs are helpful. Develops a basic knowledge of health, mental health, child development, and disabilities to ensure service coordination amongst Head Start/Early Head Start staff Abilities Skill in the operation and maintenance of basic instruments and equipment used in patient care (e.g. items commonly found in a first aid kit). Must be computer literate with skills in the use of basic office software (Microsoft Word). Ability to recognize problems in the area of health, nutrition and/or child safety. Ability to relate well and maintain effective working relationships with staff, children, parents and other agencies. Ability to exercise professional judgment in evaluating before making decisions and maintain all information in strict confidence. Able to work effectively in a team environment. Is able to work cooperatively with other staff (mental health, teaching, health, disabilities, etc.) to ensure families’ individual values and practices are incorporated into program strategies for children and families. Can communicate with families and others about the importance of health, mental health, and child development services for children’s ongoing learning and development. Ensures that pertinent knowledge about families is appropriately shared with colleagues and professionals in a way that assures confidentiality and increases service coordination. Language Skills Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing. Ability to speak, read and write English well enough to understand and be understood by others. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general health journals and technical procedures. Ability to speak before groups of individuals. Bilingual skills helpful (English/Spanish). Mathematical Skills Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts and percentages. Ability to produce and interpret graphs, charts, spreadsheets and other mathematical reports. Reasoning Skills. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions. Ability to summarize conclusions and instructions, then make recommendations and develop implementation strategies. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality at all times, including the ability to recognize situations in which confidentiality is required. I. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Minimum requirement is a Bachelor's degree in a health or nutrition field or other related field and 2 years’ experience in a health or nutrition field. Experience working in the public health or nutrition arena and working with low-income clients preferred. Experience or knowledge of family strengths/family centered practice preferred. Must be willing and able to obtain Basic First Aid and CPR Certification and maintain certification. Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, a clear criminal records check and an initial health exam are required post job offer and prior to employment. Current and former Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified. J. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS May occasionally need to provide gentle physical restraint to children. Travel by car, bus, airplane or train may also be required associated with attendance at conferences, meetings and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state and in some cases where some overnight travel may be required. May be required to lift up to 25 pounds. Some exposure to communicable diseases. Noise level in the work environment may be moderate to loud. Work is generally performed in an office environment, involving face-to-face communication. Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent teacher conference, Parent Committee meetings, social or community events, etc. H. SALARY $43,783 - 46,000/annually SISD - Saginaw County Head Start is a customer-driven, family friendly program. As such, all staff must value and be committed to the highest levels of professionalism, cooperation, teamwork and tolerance; this includes working well with families, children, co-workers, supervisors and the greater community. APPLICATION PROCEDURE : Apply online at .Under External Applicant, click “Start an application for employment. Inside the Saginaw Area Consortium-Employment Application box, under the "Activities for you" click "Start" or "Login". In addition to the online application, a cover letter, resume, at least three (3) letters of recommendation, and transcripts are required. Frontline Job ID: 4343 Application Deadline: Open until filled Posted: 7/2/25 *Applicants desiring disability accommodations should contact the Human Resources Office* "An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action MFH Employer" NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION Saginaw Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, disability, age, or national origin in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Andrea Wise, Executive Director of Human Resources Saginaw Intermediate School District 3933 Barnard Road Saginaw, MI 48603 Telephone: View phone number on click.appcast.io For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, see the following website: or call View phone number on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr