Title: Health Specialist Assistant (Tier I)
Reports to: Health & Nutrition Specialist
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Position Summary:
The Health Specialist serves as the leading authority regarding health and safety issues at a site and is responsible for ensuring that the health and safety records maintained at the site are accurate and meet all federal and state mandates.
Job Responsibilities:
Assists with the coordination and supervision of all phases of the health/nutrition component of the program
Responds appropriately to medical emergencies
Acts as a liaison with the community’s public and private health agencies in conjunction with the Health Specialist
Assists with the health education of the staff, parents, and children at specific sites and during preservice
Participates in parent orientation
Performs medical intake procedures and obtains medical histories of each infant, toddler and child
Performs and maintains immunization reviews
Insures that all state and federal mandates are adhered to in relation to health and nutrition issues
Insures that all medical histories are transferred to the appropriate schools (with parental consent
Develops clear procedures for referrals
Follows up and transfers medical records to the public schools in conjunction with Health Specialist
Conducts meetings with teaching staff to share pertinent medical information;
Maintains a close working relationship with the existing medical services in the local community and attempts to effect change to improve the quality of these services
Prepares and maintains classroom health bulletin boards, posts and maintains emergency procedures
Completes medication log monthly and forwards report to Health Specialist;
Monitors and maintains tracking forms for medical, dental, hearing, vision, and immunizations monthly and reports past due to Health Specialist, and sends reminder letter to parents
Administers and monitors medications
Conducts hand washing and dental hygiene demonstrations for staff and students;
Distributes toothbrushes and toothpaste in October, January, April and July
Issues first aid equipment to teacher and monthly checks for refills
Assists site managers in conducting monthly fire drills and lockdowns for assigned sites and maintains fire drill and lockdown log
Prepares and maintains Medical Emergency Permission forms in red folders in the classrooms
Provides and assists with the supervision of health screenings within the first 45 days of program year
Notifies parents of health screening dates and informs them of results in writing and initiates and monitors referrals as indicated
Attends meetings as requested and/or required by Health Specialist and any other administrator
Attends and participates in Health Advisory Committee meetings
Works closely with Family Workers and families who have special health problems and issues and develops community resource list of health services that will help these families
Responsible for reviewing infant, toddler’s and child’s immunization records and medical history of child prior to child’s entrance into Head Start and Early Head Start program
Submits requisitions for medical supplies and equipment to Health Specialist for approval
Compiles and distributes summary sheets to parents on all medical/dental care and services the child has received during the year
Conducts parent conferences when necessary
Performs heights, weights and BMI on students in October and April, keeps and updates health nutrition records and consults with nutrition staff
Prepare and maintain Food Allergy/ Restriction list and post in classrooms and email to nutrition staff
Maintains accurate written records and charts of infant, toddler’s and child’s medical activities and progress
Learns and adheres to the philosophy and mandates of Head Start and Early Head Start as outlined in the Performance Standards and the Policies and Procedures of Greater Bergen Community Action
Understands how children develop and learn in a variety of school, family and community contexts and provides opportunities that support their intellectual, social, emotional and physical development
Maintains the safety and bodily cleanliness of each child during the school day
Attends in-service and pre-service training workshops as required and/or requested
Plan and/or participate in class trips or any other type of event that may take the teacher and/or students out of the typical classroom environment
Participates as active, responsible members of the professional community, engaging in a wide range of reflective practices, pursuing opportunities to grow professionally and establishing collegial relationships to enhance the teaching and learning process
Learns through professional education organizations
Contributes to making the entire school a productive learning climate through participation in collegial activities
Is punctual and adheres to the work schedule assigned
In the event of an emergency or an unpredictable circumstance, assists with classroom coverage at own site and/or any other site upon request of supervisor and/or administration
Communicates clearly and concisely in English, both orally and written
Operates a computer and other standard office equipment to meet the demands of the position
Assumes and performs any other additional assignment as directed by administration in order to ensure the effective servicing the clients in our care
Knowledge of:
Basic medical terminology and practices and techniques necessary to provide nursing support services
Applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to preschools and child care
Cultural and socio-economic issues relevant to providing appropriate services to special population groups
How student learn and behave influenced by individual experiences, talents and prior learning, as well as language, culture, family and community values;
Performance Standards
Qualifications:
Registered Nurse (RN)
Physical & Mental Demands:
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand or bend; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone, use hands to find, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms to lift up to fifty pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will also work outdoors with children during some part of the day during each season
Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skill; read and interpret date, information, and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; perform work on multiple, concurrent tasks and constant interruptions; and interact with management, staff, clients, state representatives, and other encountered in the course of work.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee may have occasional contact with abusive and/or physically violent clients. If the employee works in a typical office condition, the noise level is generally quiet. If the employee works in a classroom setting, the noise level, at times, will be above a standard noise level.
Salary is based on education and experience.
To Apply Contact:
GBCA Inc., Human Resources 392 Main St. Hackensack, NJ 07601 or
and
Email along with resume to humanresources@greaterbergen.org or Fax to (201) 342-9339
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Equal access to programs, services and employment is available to all persons.