The Children's Home Society of New Jersey - Toms River

Health and Safety Coordinator - Head Start Program

Job Location US-NJ-Trenton
Posted Date 2 months ago(6/13/2025 12:44 PM)

Overview

The Health and Safety Manager plans, implements, coordinates, monitors, evaluates, and provides assessment of activities in the designated program areas to ensure compliance with all Head Start Program Performance Standards and state requirements. The Manager oversees development and implementation of all health and safety plans, policies and procedures, food service and emergency preparedness.  The Manager supervises a Nutrition Supervisor and has overall responsibility for food service staff.  The Manager convenes and maintains Health Services Advisory Committee.  Manager must interact with children, parents, staff, contractors, schools, health and other service providers, and community members. 

The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey (CHSofNJ) Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) programs offer both center-based and home-based services that include high quality early childhood education and comprehensive services to children ages 3-5 (Head Start) and infants and toddlers ages 0-3 (Early Head Start) in Trenton, New Jersey. All services, including daily nutritious meals and comprehensive support services are provided at no cost to families.

As with all CHSofNJ programs, HS/EHS views children, families, and services through a trauma-informed lens. Our staff are trained to understand and serve children who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which can impact behavior, health, development, cognition, and happiness. Our team also recognizes that trauma exists in the lives of parents, guardians, and other family members. Therefore, we approach all interactions with respect and care to ensure comfortability and build a trusting partnership with each family we serve.

 

Location: 1435 Liberty Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08629

Hours: 35 Hours per Week

Annual Salary: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00

Benefits:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexibility Spending Account, Life and LTD Insurances, 403(b) plans

PTO: Vacation, Sick, Personal, Wellness, and Holidays

Responsibilities

Essential Job Responsibilities and Performance Indicators:

  • Supervise all health and dental services delivery
  • Review, evaluate, interpret and monitor children’s health records (immunizations, EPDST, dental and vision screenings, medical and dental home, insurance) and other vital health service data
  • Write reports, assure confidentiality of health records
  • Audit Health Section of all center-based files to ensure completeness. Advise Family Advocate of missing/incomplete information.
  • Perform screenings for all children within their first 45 days of enrollment: vision, hearing, height and weight.
  • Conduct weekly site visits to all four HS / EHS centers
  • Develop individual health plans to ensure that children can safely participate in the Head Start program.
  • Maintain record of children with medical concerns/conditions, including current medication list for all children and classes and documentation for medication administration procedures.
  • For children with special health care needs: prior to the child entering school, in coordination with the disabilities coordinator ensure that the classroom and staff are prepared for the child’s arrival. Continue monitoring child throughout the school year.
  • Help parents prepare for medical appointments, perform screenings, and administer medications or first aid as necessary
  • Serve as primary point of contact for staff regarding any health concern for children in program.
  • Promote health and safety practices.
  • Ensure emergency procedures are in place and periodically reviewed.
  • Coordinate health & safety, sanitation, first aid, and emergency medical procedures.
  • Provide ongoing training to HS/EHS staff and participants.
  • Coordinate the Health Services Advisory Committee and local health care professionals and service providers to ensure that services for children and families are available and accessible.

Qualifications

Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Public Health, or a related health field from an accredited institution.

Certification or License Requirements:

  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) required; RN or MSN preferred.
  • Current CPR and First Aid Certification required

Experience Qualifications:

Three years experience in public health, nursing, or as a Head Start Health Manager. Supervisory experience preferred. 

 

Qualifications:

  • Work experience with multicultural populations.
  • Ability to write reports and correspondence, and read and interpret documents
  • Knowledge of state medical requirements for children in schools.
  • Knowledge of various software programs such as MS Word, Excel, Power-Point, and Publisher. ChildPlus software or Head Start equivalent software is a plus
  • Ability to effectively engage and communicate with community members and groups, directors, managers, regulatory agencies, and families both individually and in group settings
  • Ability to organize and manage time effectively
  • Ability to speak at community meetings to represent, lead, advocate, educate and/or negotiate on behalf of Head Start/Early Head Start

Health Services Oversight

  • Supervise all health and dental service delivery across childcare sites, ensuring compliance with Head Start, Early Head Start, and NJ state/local regulations.
  • Ensure 100% compliance with Head Start Performance Standards (HSPPS) health requirements, including 30, 45, and 90-day mandates.
  • Oversee delivery of health and dental services including screenings, physicals, dentals, immunizations, medical/dental homes, and chronic condition follow-ups.
  • Ensure screenings (vision, hearing, height/weight) for all children within the first 45 days of enrollment are completed.
  • Verify that all children over six months of age receive annual flu vaccinations.
  • Review, evaluate, and monitor children’s health records (immunizations, EPSDT, dental/vision screenings, insurance) for compliance with NJ Health and Sanitary Code.
  • Develop and implement Individual Health Plans (IHPs) for children with special health care needs.
  • Communicate medical concerns to appropriate staff and classrooms; advise on exclusion periods and health guidance.
  • Support families in preparing for medical appointments, securing health insurance, and accessing follow-up care.
  • Assist with ensuring children entering the program from the waitlist have met program health requirements.
  • Write reports while assuring confidentiality and HIPAA compliance of health records.
  • Maintain accurate and timely documentation in ChildPlus; conduct regular audits for data integrity and completeness.

Safety and Emergency Preparedness

  • Conduct monthly health and safety monitoring visits and weekly site visits across all centers.
  • Ensure facility compliance with local/state childcare regulations, including indoor/outdoor environments, annual inspections, and required parent board postings.
  • Maintain and replenish first aid kits, CPR/First Aid/Choking posters, and other safety materials.
  • Document non-compliance findings, report promptly, and assist in corrective action plan development.
  • Ensure emergency procedures are in place, periodically reviewed, and clearly posted.
  • Promote health and safety practices, including universal precautions and sanitation procedures.
  • Monitor and assess proper storage of children’s medications; oversee medication documentation and administration processes.
  • Train staff on universal precautions, medication administration, and emergency response protocols.
  • Respond effectively to health and safety challenges to ensure a supportive learning environment.

Family and Community Engagement

  • Serve as the primary health contact for families and staff; provide guidance on health concerns and exclusion policies.
  • Assist families in preparing for medical appointments and accessing health services.
  • Coordinate with education, nutrition, and transportation teams to support children with allergies, chronic conditions, and special needs.
  • Ensure food allergies and medical plans are posted and accessible as required.
  • Prepare classrooms and staff for enrollment of children with special health needs; continue monitoring throughout the year.
  • Visit expectant families and provide postpartum health support within two weeks after birth.
  • Collaborate with local health professionals and service providers to ensure accessible, culturally appropriate health services.

Training and Professional Development

  • Provide ongoing health and safety training, including CPR/First Aid, medication procedures, universal precautions, and emergency preparedness.
  • Evaluate staff compliance with health protocols; provide coaching and technical assistance as needed.
  • Coordinate, plan, and lead quarterly Health Services Advisory Committee meetings; ensure health policies are reviewed and vetted by the Committee.
  • Participate in ongoing monitoring, self-assessment, and continuous improvement activities.
  • Assist in updating health service area plans annually to reflect current standards and community needs.
  • Support data entry and report development in ChildPlus to contribute to program planning and evaluation.
  • Collaborate across departments to ensure all health and safety content functions are compliant with agency philosophy, goals, values, and HSPPS.

Program Planning and Evaluation

  • Arrange and coordinate HSAC meetings bi-annually.
  • Collaborate with local health professionals to ensure accessible services for families.
  • Participate in program self-assessment and continuous improvement efforts.

Maintain Professional and Ethical Standards

  • Maintain confidentiality in accordance with Agency policy and legal requirements.
  • Respect and maintain rights and privacy of all staff, parents, and children.
  • Maintain HIPAA compliance of all confidential information.
  • Attend mandated trainings and meetings, and seek out staff development opportunities.
  • Work as a team member with all Head Start and agency staff and maintain a positive work ethic.
  • Adhere to NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and NASW Code of Ethics.

Options

Sorry the Share function is not working properly at this moment. Please refresh the page and try again later.
Share on your newsfeed