The Health Services Assistant assists with, implements, coordinates, evaluates, and provides assessment of health activities to ensure compliance with all Head Start Program Performance Standards and state requirements.  The Assistant oversees implementation of all health plans and policies and procedures.  The Assistant must interact with infants and toddlers, parents, staff, contractors, schools, health and other service providers, and community members.

Schedule: 35 Hours Per Week

Salary: $56,000.00  

Benefits:

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

Essential Responsibilities and Performance Indicators:

• Coordinate health and dental activities for infant, toddlers and pregnant women.
• Assist Health Manager and Nutrition Supervisor in ensuring food allergies and special diets are implemented according to healthcare providers’ documentation.
• 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.
  • Ensure that records meet NJ Health and Sanitary Code
  • Verify that all children over six months of age receive annual flu shot
  • Make note of any medical concerns. Communicate these to appropriate staff members.
• Write reports, assure confidentiality of health records.
• Audit Health Section of all center-based files to ensure completeness. Advise Family Advocate or Home Visitor of missing/incomplete information.
• Perform or arrange for vision, hearing, height and weight screenings for all children within their first 45 days of enrollment and as required by Head Start policies and procedures.
• Conduct weekly site visits to all Early Head Start centers.
• Develop individual health plans for children and pregnant women as needed.
• Maintain record of children with medical concerns/conditions, including current medication list for all children and classes and documentation for medication administration procedures.
• Help parents prepare for medical appointments, perform health 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.
  • Advise staff on exclusion of child for particular period of time, based on concern and treatment.
  • Administer medications to children when necessary.
• Ensure that staff is using universal precautions when caring for children in centers.
• Coordinate first aid and emergency medical procedures.
• Reinforce and follow all health and safety procedures during periods of infectious disease outbreaks (e.g. increased hand washing, wearing personal protective equipment, completing appropriate health screenings, enhanced cleaning and sanitizing/disinfecting).
• Provide ongoing training to HS/EHS staff and participants.
  • Train staff on proper means of administering medication to that child. Monitor/assess the proper storage of all children’s medications.
  • Train staff on proper first aid and infectious disease outbreak prevention procedures.
• Develop relationships with local health care professions and service providers to ensure that services for children and families are available and accessible.
• Assist with Home Based Health and Dental Day twice per year.
• Visit postpartum women within two weeks after baby is born.
• Attend Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC) meetings when requested.
• Maintain accurate, up to date, records according to HS Performance Standards and program procedures.
• Provide additional support to the health services team as needed.

Educational Qualifications: High School Diploma; Licensed Practical Nurse, or comparable health credential required.

Certification or License Requirements: CPR/First Aid Certified

Experience Qualifications: Two years’ experience in nursing, health education, or health administration rquired.

Qualifications:

• Work experience with multicultural population.
• 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 equivalent a plus.
• Ability to effectively engage and communicate with community members and groups, managers, regulatory agencies, and families both individually and in group settings.
• Ability to organize and manage time effectively.
• Ability to talk at community meetings to represent, lead, advocate, educate and/or negotiate on behalf of Head Start programs.
• Bilingual Spanish-English a plus.