POSITION SUMMARY

The primary scope of this position is to provide children and families access to comprehensive exemplary health services. The program will include a broad range of medical, dental, mental health and nutritional services for Head Start & Early Head Start children including children with disabilities in accordance with the Head Start Performance Standards and all other pertinent Federal, State and Grantee guidelines. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Head Start Performance Standard 1302.40 - Purpose:

• Provide high-quality health, oral health, mental health, and nutrition services that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and that will support each child’s growth and school readiness.
• Partner with Center Administrators to provide consultation services in the area of health services.
• Assist the Health & Nutrition Manager in preparing and updating the annual health services plan in conformance with Sections 1304.3-2, inclusively through 1304.3-10 of the Head Start Performance Standards
• Support the Health Services Advisory Committee that includes Head Start parents, and other volunteers from the community. 
• Work with interdisciplinary team to ensure integration of all Head Start/Early Head Start services.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
• This job description may be revised upon development of other duties and changes in responsibilities.

Head Start Performance Standard §1302.41 Collaboration & Communication with Parents: 

• Collaborate with parents as partners in the health and well-being of their children in a linguistically and culturally appropriate manner and communicate with parents about their child’s health needs and development concerns in a timely and effective manner.
• Obtain completed parental consent form prior to the performance of screenings and examinations.                          
• Obtain advance authorization from the parent or other persons with legal authority for all health and developmental procedures administered through the program or by contract or agreement, and, maintain written documentation if they refuse to give authorization for health services.
• Participate in providing health education to parents.                             
• Share with parents the policies for health emergencies that require rapid response on the part of staff or immediate medical attention.
• Assist with outreach recruitment and enrollment as needed.

Head Start Performance Standard §1302.42- Child Health Status & Care:

• Assess and evaluate health needs of Head Start children and their families, as well as determine the funding sources that child is eligible for (i.e., Medicaid, CHIP, etc.)      
• Review each newly enrolled child’s health records and vital health service data. 
• Ensure the linkages of children to all needed health services and to medical home. 
• Determining   if children have a “medical home” and “dental home”’ within 30 calendar days after the child attends the program.   
• Ensure up-to-date child health status within 90 calendar days after the child first attends the program by obtaining determinations from health care professionals based on the well-child visits and dental periodicity schedules as prescribed by the Texas Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT).
• Conduct and/or arrange for the health screening and medical and dental examinations Conduct hearing, vision and dental screenings within required timelines. 
• Keep children’s medical and dental records up to date.
• Identify health or dental concerns and discuss with Health & Nutrition Manager to implement a care plan, if needed.
• Model, support and assist teaching staff as they implement health-related activities in the classroom.
• Promote preventive health services and early intervention. 
• Assist with health supervision of children through observation in the classroom.
• Provide   training and support to pregnant women, including referral to prenatal care, when needed. 
• Refer children who are over or underweight, high lead levels or low hemoglobin or hematocrit, and conduct follow-up in a timely manner.
• Provide health trainings for staff and parents.
• Act as a resource and provide orientation and training to staff responsible for implementing health service plans and requirements.
• Participate in providing in-service training for center staff in health education.
• Act as a resource and provide orientation and training to staff responsible for implementing health service plans and requirements
• Coordinate with existing community resources including school district personnel to arrange for immunizations, if necessary (i.e., Immunization Health Fairs, etc.
• Participate in state oral health coalitions.
• Provide leadership and direction for community linkages to locate and access resources for families in the areas of health.
• Participate on the Health Services Advisory Committee. 
• Negotiate with the Health Services Advisory Committee and local health care professionals and service providers to ensure that services for families are available and accessible as needed.
• Interpret health needs to other agency personnel and parents.
• Enter results from medical and dental are documented in Agency’s electronic client database.

Head Start Performance Standard §1302.43- Oral Health Practices

• Provide ongoing care by facilitating and monitoring recommended schedules for preventive care, treatment, and follow-up.
• Provide extended follow-up care through further diagnostic, testing, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up plan, as appropriate. 
• Work with the parent in concert with other staff to assure that the parent understands the importance of follow up care.
• Promote effective oral health hygiene by ensuring all children with teeth are assisted by appropriate staff, or volunteers, in brushing their teeth with toothpaste containing fluoride once daily.

Head Start Performance Standard 1302.44 Child Nutrition

Head Start Performance Standards 1302.45- Child Mental Health and Social and Emotional Well-Being & 

1302.46. Family Support Services for Health, Nutrition, and Mental Health

• In collaboration with the Family Health Advocates review each newly enrolled child’s health records and vital health service data and interprets information to assists family in understanding medical provider’s recommendation. 
• Coordinate with other program staff to make home visits as needed to counsel families in health matters; works effectively as a team member of the center staff.                               
• Track children’s health information and implement follow up activities. 
• Assist in arranging transportation for children and parents for health services as needed.           
• Set up medical and dental screenings, including transportation when needed.
• Maintain up-to-date schedules, records, and reports Collect and track medical and dental documentation.

Head Start Performance Standard §1302.47- Safety Practices

ESSENTIAL TRAITS/COMPENTENCIES

Essential traits for this position are as follows:

• Must be a self-starter.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with team members and management.
• Must be results oriented.
• Must have superior organizational and time management skills.
• Must be able to work independently or on teams in challenging work atmosphere.
• Must have an exceptional aptitude for attention to detail.
• Must be able to prioritize and balance multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
• Must be able to plan and complete tasks and assignments on-schedule with minimal supervision using appropriate judgment.
• Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment, discretion, maintain the confidentiality of all Gulf Coast Community Services Association (GCCSA) stakeholders.
• Must be able to contribute to building a positive team spirit; put success of team above own interests; support everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Must be able to show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promote a harassment-free environment.
• Must be able to treat people with respect and dignity; work with integrity and ethically uphold the Agency's mission and values.

QUALIFICATIONS:  

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable

accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Education/Experience

Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) from an accredited RN or LVN school of nursing with a Texas License. Other combinations of education and experience may qualify an applicant for consideration.  

Minimum three (3) years of pediatric nursing experience in community health, occupational health, or other related health experience. Previous experience providing direct services to low-income families and in working with persons of varied experience and ethnic backgrounds; previous experience working with infants and toddlers with health needs and knowledge of Early Head Start services highly desirable. Experience with disability services, dental services, or services to pregnant women in Head Start/Early Head Start. Current training/certification requirements to teach Infant/Child CPR and First Aid or an ability to complete the required training within one month of hire.

Communication Skills

Must have the ability to read and comprehend intermediate to complex instructions. Able to write concise, logical, and grammatically correct written communication and the ability to write simple and clear correspondence. Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary to interact with all levels of management, colleagues, and staff to ensure consistency and proper procedure implementation.

Mathematical Skills

Basic math skills required.

Computer Skills

Must be able to work in a computerized environment and have intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications including but not limited to: Windows, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point and MS Access. 

Licensing/Certifications

Must be able to provide reliable transportation and have the ability to travel to multiple locations.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: 

Safety is one of our core company values. When necessary, employees may be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly be required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and use hands. Additionally, the employee is required to stand and walk. Employee must be able to lift items from the floor up to 50 pounds, reach overhead and to the floor.

The work environment is that which is typical of an office and childcare center/classroom setting. The noise level in the environment is usually quiet to very loud and noisy.