Job Details
Job Location
Meriden YMCA Head Start - Meriden, CT
Position Type
Full Time
Job Shift
Day
Description
A. EXPLANATION
This position works as a part of the content area team of managers/specialists/
coordinators to integrate Head Start services for children and families and is
responsible for education and early childhood health services (1304).
B. GENERAL SUMMARY OF WHAT THE POSITION DOES
Health (medical and dental), nutrition and child safety areas are an integral part of the
larger system of services provided by Head Start. They play an important part in
supporting the goals of the program. This position is responsible for the facilitation of
Health Services of the Head Start program. The position is responsible for
collaborating on the development and implementation of the program, tracking and
recordkeeping, community relations and outreach. The position could involve provision
of direct services in the health areas only if the individual is licensed, certified or
registered as such in the state of service. This position is responsible for ensuring health
procedures are performed only by licensed/certified health professionals with expertise in
serving young children and their families. This position provides content area training
and technical supervision to other agency staff and ensures health services are
supported by staff/consultants with training and experience in public health, nursing,
health education, maternal and child health or health administration.
C. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION
Duties of the position are described in major functional areas listed below. Additional
duties may be assigned.

1. EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES

1. Implementation and Recordkeeping

1. Responsible for the following:
   1. Writes, reviews and revises Health Work Plans annually. Develops a system for
      administering and monitoring the work plans. Monitors compliance with the
      Head Start Work Plans, child care licensing guidelines and the Head Start
      Performance Standards in the applicable content areas and sub-areas.
   2. Establishes policies and procedures for the health portion of the program with
      parents and staff that support the effective implementation of health services.
   3. Medical, dental, nutrition and child safety areas.
   4. Emergency Management System in collaboration with staff person responsible
      for family and community partnerships.
   5. CACFP: Works cooperatively with staff person responsible for Fiscal/AR in
      monitoring the CACFP program and completing the application for sponsorship in
      cooperation with Finance Office. Uses the Meriden YMCA CACFP Notebook
      system. Checks menu books for complete, appropriate, accurate documentation.
      Conducts kitchen monitoring reviews.
2. Develops a list of local health and related resources and defines procedures for
   effective use of these resources. Initiates and establishes working relationships with
   local providers through contractual agreements as appropriate.
3. Establishes a system for providing health and nutrition education to families
   through workshops, parent meetings, handouts, etc.
4. Develops and implements a plan and system of continuous monitoring and evaluation
   of activities within the program. Keeps complete records and documentation of all
   contacts.
5. Develops system for maintenance of individual health records on children in
   conjunction with family services staff. Ensures that health records are reviewed,
   evaluated and interpreted. Maintains vital statistics and other data affecting health
   services.
6. Takes the lead on the following:
   1. Health Services Advisory Committee: Responsible for the planning,
      convening and implementation of policies and/or procedures of the semi-annual
      Health Services Advisory Committee meetings.
   2. Identifies and is Knowledgeable of Health Resources: Establishes relationships
      and develops a thorough knowledge of health resources for families including
      Medicaid, the state Husky Program, state health services and other community
      resources that assist families in establishing a medical home.
   3. Establishes, Negotiates and Monitors Contracts with Health Service Providers:
      Establishes contracts with health professionals to provide services to the Head
      Start program in such areas as vision referrals, child health screenings/exams,
      dental services, and others as necessary. Contracts may include consultants
      and/or volunteer services.
   4. Health Education Curriculum: Responsible for developing a developmentally
      appropriate health education curriculum in conjunction with the staff person
      responsible for early childhood education services for children and parents that
      can be integrated into program activities. Oversees Child Safety sections
      of Performance Standards to include fire drills, first aid kits, medication
      administration systems and systems for Safety Committees in collaboration with
      the staff person in charge of facilities.
   5. Health Training and Employee Health Tracking: Establishes a yearly system of
      training and health education for staff, to include CPR, First Aid, nutrition, child
      abuse and neglect identification and reporting, etc. Works with the Human
      Resource Manager to follow-up with employee required initial and periodic
      health exams and TB screening and tests. Documents as required by
      Performance Standards and childcare licensing.
   6. Serves as Chairperson of the Safety Committee
7. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards including
   specific knowledge of Child Health and Disabilities (1308) portion of the Standards.
8. Oversees the screening, re-screening and follow-up for all health services.
9. Participates in staffing of children and is responsible for all health recommendations,
   as necessary. Attends IEP/IFSP meetings as requested.
10. Serves as or arranges for health/nutrition resource specialist to teachers, home
11. visitors and family service staff.
12. Assists in the development of protocols as necessary to support children and families.
13. Provides resource information to staff and families on an as-needed basis.
    Assists in providing current information for the Community Resource Guide.
14. Follows the state and federal regulations pertaining to child abuse and neglect, and
    maintains strict confidentiality of all information. Coordinates with family community
    partnership staff in this area to make sure there is a system and training known by all
    staff.
15. Works closely with disabilities services staff in the assessment process and follow
    up to assure that the special needs of each child with disabilities are met.
16. Arranges for health services to Head Start/Early Head Start families in cooperation
    with other agencies/providers. Oversees referral of parents and children to other
    agencies/providers as needed.
17. Arranges for a health, nutrition consultants to be available for staff meetings, parent
    training sessions, etc., as indicated.
18. Develops community resources for provision of services to children with health
    concerns.
19. Collaborates with early childhood education staff to facilitate the integration of health
    and inclusion activities in the classroom curriculum.
20. Works with staff to assist teachers to identify children who show signs of health
    problems.
    
    Training and Supervision

1. Provides or arranges training to classroom staff on topics such as family-style
   meal service and health/nutrition curriculum.
2. Provides information and support on providing health curriculum activities for children
   and families.
3. Provides or arranges training for parents on health topics.
   2. EXAMPLES OF GENERAL JOB DUTIES

1. Understands, generates and documents in-kind and other allowable costs applied
   toward the non-federal share requirement.
2. Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the immediate
   supervisor.
3. Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
4. Responsible for understanding Head Start Performance Standards and local child care
   licensing regulations.
5. Expected to be knowledgeable of the regulations associated with prevention of
   occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and
   the prevention of contamination.
6. Positively promotes Head Start in the community.
7. Models and exercises supervisory authority to support other employees in the
8. execution of work duties in a manner consistent with Meriden YMCA standards for
   compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including Meriden YMCA
   policies and procedures reflecting best practices. Adherence to the procedure for
   Policy Council approval or disapproval of hiring and termination decisions made by
   Meriden YMCA as described in the Head Start Performance Standards (Section
   1304.50) is required. In addition, supervisors are expected to model exemplary
   standards of ethical behavior and exercise careful stewardship of program funds,
   and support those they supervise in adhering to those standards.
9. Becomes thoroughly familiar with Meriden YMCA Employee Handbook, Meriden
   YMCA Head Start Operations Manual and all other Meriden YMCA handbooks,
   manuals and resources and adheres to them.
10. Plans and directs the work of the staff supervised. Observes and gives feedback to
    staff or volunteers supervised where applicable and other staff as assigned on at least
    a weekly basis.
11. Makes appropriate personnel decisions that do not require higher approval and
    submits others as a recommendation to the supervisor.
12. Determines appropriate training needs to meet the program goals and objectives
    and makes the necessary recommendations.
13. Develops and supports the professional development plan for staff supervised.
14. Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start children, families and staff
    in accordance with established policies and procedures.
15. Monitors compliance with the content area work plans.
16. Develops and implements a plan and system of continuous ongoing monitoring
    and evaluation of activities within the program.
    
    PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED
    D. SUPERVISION EXERCISED
    Immediate supervision means those employees the position assigns, directs and
    evaluates.
    
    Position Supervised: See Organizational Chart

• This position provides content area training and technical supervision of all agency
  staff.
  
  E. PERSONAL CONTACTS
  Major internal and external contacts, and the minimal frequency of those contacts,
  are listed.
  
  Internal External
  See Organizational Chart Head Start Parent - as needed
  Community Partner - as needed
  Food Vendors- as needed
  Nutrition Consultant - as needed
  Health Service Providers - as needed
  
  F. 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 recordkeeping 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 recordkeeping is important for follow-up and continuity in the
  program.
  G. SUPERVISION RECEIVED
  The job description and the content area work plan serve as a guideline. 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.

Qualifications
H. 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 helpful.
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.
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.
• Some Bilingual fluency helpful (English/Spanish or English and other languages
  present in the local area).
  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 an associate's degree in a health or nutrition field or other closely
  related field or LPN certificate. Experience working in public health or nutrition arena
  and working with low-income clients preferred. Experience and training in public health,
  nursing, health education, maternal and child health or health administration preferred.
  Experience and knowledge of family-strengths/family-centered practice preferred.
  If applicable federal, state or local Head Start or child care regulations, now or as
  amended in the future, contain additional requirements or qualifications for this position
  which are not specifically stated in this Job Description, the requirements and
  qualifications will apply, even if not specifically set forth in this Job Description.
  
  Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the
  local area). Within 90 days of employment, must obtain and continually maintain
  basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification (or sooner if required by local/state
  regulations). Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, a clear criminal records
  check (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and an initial
  health exam are required post job offer and prior to employment. To drive agency
  vehicles (if applicable), must have a valid driver's license and be insurable by the
  Meriden YMCA insurance carrier and have a Motor Vehicle Record acceptable to
  Meriden YMCA. 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 work environment may be moderate to loud.
• Work is generally performed in a classroom setting, kitchen or 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 conferences, Parent Committee meetings, social or
  community events, etc.
  
  The requirements of your Job Description are important in providing services to children
  and families, and for keeping you, children and co-workers safe during the work day. If
  you are unable to perform any of the functions required in your job description due to a
  disability, you are invited to direct any requests for accommodation to the Program Director.