POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: CARE Specialist

REPORTS TO: Program Manager

TYPE: Full Time, Hourly

STATUS: Non-Exempt

GENERAL PURPOSE
The CARE Specialist functions as an integral part of the Healthy Start Team with the primary purpose of coordinating advocacy, resources, and education to pregnant women, postpartum women, and families of children under the age of three identified as high risk. The CARE Specialist evaluates risk factors that may lead to poor pregnancy outcomes and/or poor developmental outcomes. This position works in partnership with the client or family in connecting advocacy, resources and linkage to programs and resources to address risk factors identified by a risk screen or referral.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES

1. Attempt to engage potential clients in the CONNECT/Coordinated Intake & Referral (CI&R) system of care.

2. Verify completion of a risk screen or referral.

3. Conduct Initial Intakes, including attempts to contact, to assess clients’ service needs. Travel to attempt to contact clients and provide face-to-face services in the service area of Volusia and Flagler Counties as assigned.

4. Link and refer clients to appropriate services and community resources based on the identified service needs and risks.

5. Provide relevant information to clients about breastfeeding, health care options, parenting education, preventative health education, safe sleep, and child development.

6. Provide navigation assistance for families to find health insurance and health care services that include prenatal care, pediatric care, primary care, and family planning.

7. Develop, implement, and update a Plan of Safe Care in accordance with locally adopted policies and governance mandates for program participants which may include the infant/toddler, biological mother, other relative caregiver, or foster parent.

8. Conduct screenings and assessments with participants including but not limited to general health assessments, developmental assessments, depression screens, and substance use screens. All assessments will be conducted using established and proven effective tools.

9. Connect families to online community providers that include United Way 211 for resource information, Career Source for resume support, Early Learning Coalition for childcare assistance and Homeless Coalition of Flagler/Volusia for housing.

10. Participate in multi-disciplinary staffing with community partners to evaluate risks for high-risk clients and develop Individualized Plans of Care (IPC) as needed.

11. Ensure that all required documentation is typed and submitted in a timely manner into the Well Family
System.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBITIES
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES

1. Participate in all required and assigned training.

2. Travel to local meetings and events.

3. Manage administrative duties associated with essential functions.

4. Work evening and weekend hours as needed.

5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Please note this position description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EDUCATON/QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES/SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Education:
Minimum of two (2) years of college. Undergraduate Degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, or health-related field such as nursing, health education, health planning, or health care administration from an accredited four (4) year college or university preferred.

Qualifications:

1. A minimum of three (3) years of public health/maternal-child health experience (with 2 years of college); OR Licensure as a Registered Nurse and minimum of three (3) years’ public health/maternal-child health experience (with Associate’s Degree); OR Licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse with a minimum of four (4) years of public health/maternal-child health experience (with Associate’s Degree);

2. Knowledgeable in current principles and practices related to Healthy Start Standards and Guidelines and
Risk Appropriate Care.

3. Knowledge of community resources and available maternal-child program services for at-risk pregnant and interconception women, infants, young children, and their families and procedures for accessing resources.

4. Knowledge of maternal and child health principles, child abuse or neglect indicators, home environment and safety assessment.

5. Knowledge and adherence to pregnancy and postpartum non-directive information and counseling for prenatal care and delivery, infant care, adoption, and pregnancy termination options.

6. Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.

Competencies:

1. Trustworthy; demonstrates a high level of integrity; maintains confidentiality.
2. Strong interpersonal awareness.
3. Excellent oral and written communication skills; Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with health care providers and other community resource partners.
4. Knowledgeable in effective assessment techniques.
5. Cultural sensitivity to and competency in working with participants from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
6. Practice of family-centered communication skills.
7. Ability to advocate on the clients’ behalf.

Computer Skills:

• Intermediate proficiency in MS Word
• Beginner proficiency in MS Excel
• Beginner proficiency in MS Outlook
• Intermediate typing proficiency
• Proficiency in utilizing web-based data systems and applications

Math Ability:
Level 1: Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Language Ability:
Level 3: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups.

Reasoning Ability:
Level 3: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Licenses and/or Certifications:

● Valid Florida Driver’s License with a safe driving record and current private auto insurance policy
● Ability to pass a level II Background Screening and Drug Screening

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Physical and Environmental Requirements:

1. Ability to sit, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms
2. Ability to occasionally lift and /or move up to 30 pounds
3. Vision abilities required by this job include: close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
4. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate (examples: business office with computers and printers, light traffic)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid orientation
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• public health/maternal-child health: 3 years (Preferred)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Daytona Beach, FL 32114: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Daytona Beach, FL 32114