SUMMARY

Responsible for providing and coordinating health services to Head Start and Child Care programs. Is knowledgeable about program philosophy and regulations and performance standards applicable to health component of program.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains confidentiality.
• Attends and participates in all required training, staff meetings, committee meetings.
• Communicates with supervisor re: needs and concerns about children and families.
• Provides accurate and timely reports, record keeping and other required paperwork.
• Maintains good work habits, including attendance and punctuality.
• Completes and submits annual Massachusetts Immunization Survey in fall of school year.
• Arranges for annual First Aid and CPR training for all staff.
• Maintains current medical information for all staff, including current Physical and Mantoux testing results.
• Identifies health hazards in settings that provide services to children, as well as setting occupied by staff.
• Consulted regarding bus safety information distributed to parents of all Head Start/Child Care children
• Assesses the severity of injuries or illnesses that occur while children are in school.
• Assembles and monitors Emergency Kits for all Head Start and Child Care classrooms. Orders all medical supplies for replenishing kits.
• Trains all Head Start/Child Care education staff in administration of medication to children.
• Monitors all children taking medication in classroom and responsible for insuring that staff person meets with parent when medication is delivered to classroom by parent.
• Responsible for obtaining signed permission from parent for dispensing medication at school.
• Creates individual children's health plan (IHP) and reviews with staff, as necessary.
• Serves as consultant to all staff regarding child or family health issues.
• Advocates for Head Start/Child Care parent with primary care provider, if necessary.
• Assists in coordinating program-wide dental screenings in Head Start and Child Care classrooms.
• Provides health presentation at one of each Parent Center Meetings during school year.
• Attends pertinent workshops or trainings outside program.
• Oversees program-wide Asthma & Allergy list monthly and provides classrooms with updated list, as needed.
• Oversees annual audio and visio screening, assists Health Specialists in classrooms as needed.
• Responsible for sending referral letters to parents following audio and vision screening, and for insuring parent's follow-up actions with child.
• .Is aware of community agencies and resources for families and/or staff.
• Attends pertinent workshops or trainings.
• Applies all training to work with families and shares new information with staff
• Provides constructive input on policies and procedures affecting job duties.
• Communicates information effectively, both in written and oral form.
• Interacts with others in a helpful and courteous manner, internally or externally.
• Works as a member of a team.
• Offers health counseling to families determined to have child-at-risk health-wise.
• Attends and participates in team meetings as requested and communicates effectively with parents and staff.
• Responsible for the direct supervision of the Head Start Health Specialist.
• Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.
• Attend & participate in engagement team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with clients and staff in other areas.
• Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
• Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as, SMOC policies & procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a licensed LPN or RN.
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, preferred.
• Relevant experience preferred.
• Preference given to current and past Head Start parents.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical exam by physician every two years
• Negative TB screen
• First Aid Certification
• Child CPR Certification
• Valid Driver's License, reliable transportation and good driving record.
• COVID vaccines are strongly encouraged.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

• Directly reports to the Family Services Manager.
• Indirectly reports to Division Director.
• Direct reports of this position are Health Specialist positions..
• Indirect reports of this position None.

WORKING CONDITIONS

As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Health Coordinator will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace.