Job Title: Direct Services LVN/Nurse Educator

Wage/Hour Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Coordinator of Health & Nutrition

Service Area: Direct Services

Component: Head Start/Early Head Start

Location: As assigned

Date Revised: April 27, 2024

Primary Purpose:

To assist in the coordination and facilitation of the Head Start Health Services. To facilitate learning and serve as a teacher, advocate, and navigator for pregnant and postpartum women. To comply with all federal guidelines (Head Start performance standards, Transmittal notes, etc) and local Head Start policies in providing children and families with Head Start Services. 

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• Licensed L.V.N. required
• BLS Certification preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills/Experience:

• Experience working with pregnant and postpartum women is preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred
• Must be able to demonstrate organizational skills, empathy for those served, and the ability to present new and effective ideas
• Requires moderate computer skills
• Ability to multitask is required
• Ability to travel within the region is required

Working Conditions:

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard medical clinic equipment including automated external defibrillator (AED); special needs adaptive equipment; standard office equipment including computer and peripherals
• Posture: Must be physically able to tolerate frequent standing, sitting, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing pulling, and twisting
• Motion: Must be physically able to tolerate frequent walking, grasping/squeezing, wrist flexion/extension
• Lifting: Must be physically able to tolerate light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); may require regular heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and position of students with physical disabilities; controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting non-ambulatory students
• Environment: Must be physically able to tolerate cleaning products and sanitizers, exposure to biological hazards, bacteria, and communicable diseases; tolerate frequent regionwide travel and occasional statewide travel; regular exposure to noise
• Mental Demands: Must be able to work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress and self-control in the presence of children; work prolonged or irregular hours on occasion
• Regular Attendance is an essential function

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Coordinates with Health Specialist/Nurse educator to anticipate and appropriately plan to support healthy pregnant and postpartum women in areas of prenatal and postpartum education.
2. Collaborates with Health Specialist and the coordinator of Health and Nutrition in planning, implementation, and delivery of education curricula for supporting pregnant and postpartum mothers.
3. Operates within scope of practice when working with high-risk pregnant mothers and makes appropriate referrals to RN Nurse educator when complications arise or events occur outside of the predictable nature of a healthy pregnancy or postpartum period.
4. Travels to homes, schools, or other public places to meet with pregnant and postpartum within the Texas Panhandle on a routine basis.
5. Assists in transition of infant to appropriate placement of center-based or home-based options after postpartum period.
6. Supports families in using community resources that enhance family well-being and children’s learning and development.
7. Communicates with community agencies, physicians, and staff to ensure the availability of and completion of services to pregnant women, birth to five years of age, and their families including those with special needs.
8. Coordinates with Head Start staff in scheduling dental, medical, health screenings, and follow up for Early Head Start and Head Start children.
9. Performs vision, hearing, lead, and hemoglobin of screenings for Head Start children and appropriately refers based on screening findings.
10. Complies, monitors, and enters health information in the data management system.
11. Visits assigned classrooms and home-based settings for child assessments, screenings, and record maintenance.
12. Provides health education to staff, parents, and children.
13. Assists with the implementation of individualized healthcare plans (IHP) for children with chronic health conditions or disabilities.
14. Conducts coordination, administration, documentation, and storage of medication and related supplies and equipment for Head Start children and staff as assigned.
15. Works in the Head Start Health room and provides basic care health care in case of injury or acute illness.
16. Completes health related logs, reports, notices, forms, records regarding pregnant and postpartum women and all Head Start children.
17. Maintains licensure set forth by the requirements of the Texas State Board of Nursing.
18. Reports for work ready to perform responsibilities.
19. Performs duties that directly and/or indirectly impact student performance in Region 16.
20. Maintains a professional level of confidentiality regarding all ESC matters.
21. Supports the mission, goals, and objectives of the ESC strategic plan.
22. Upholds and adheres to safety rules and policies of the ESC safety program.
23. Performs professional responsibilities as required by ESC policies, processes, and procedures.
24. Manages time, calendar, and job responsibilities to meet deadlines.
25. Meets proficiency levels of required technology skills as outlined by supervisor.
26. Incorporates appropriate technology in daily work and exhibits continual growth in technologies as outlined by supervisor.
27. Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.

Evaluation of the performance of this job will be based on a combination of self-evaluation and the supervisor’s evaluation according to the procedures developed for all Education Service Center personnel. Employment in this position is contingent on performance, need, and funding.