Specialist - Health & Nutrition

Description

Job Summary:
Incumbent supports the provisions of services outlined in the Head Start/Early Head Start Performance standard and, the Department of Early Childhood and Family Services, and is responsible for monitoring, consultation, training, and daily oversight of Health & Nutrition Services; assists the Health & Nutrition Supervisor with developing and maintaining partnerships with community agencies and health care providers; collaborate with all members of the Health and Nutrition team to ensure that the health and nutrition components of the Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards and other health and nutrition policies and procedures are implemented consistently across the entire program. This position does require travel within the eleven-county service area, and limited overnight travel outside of the immediate service area.

Major Responsibilities/Activities:
Communication
- In coordination with the Health & Nutrition Supervisor, use a multidisciplinary team approach to provide health and nutrition services to children, families and staff
-Provide information, make referrals, and coordinate efforts to link staff and families to appropriate community resources
-Provide guidance in the areas of health and nutrition to the Head Start /Early Head Start Center Managers and staff, and actively serve on the Health Services Advisory Committee in regard to the community assessment and follow resolution to nutritional or health concerns
- Provide training and technical support to all staff in implementing all health & nutrition policies and procedures
-Serve as first level of response to all staff inquiries about the health and nutrition services
- Responsible for follow up, or facilitating follow up for treatment tracking and failed screens
-Co-facilitate the Health Services Advisory Committee
-Serve on committees and work with other agencies to facilitate the completion of program area goals and objectives and agency mission

Training
- Coordinate with the Health & Nutrition Supervisor to design, facilitate and/or coordinate training and technical assistance opportunities and resources related to health and nutrition for staff, parents, and volunteers during New Employee Orientation, In-Service and Pre-Service training and other training events
Training topics include, but are not limited to
- CPR/First Aid certification
- Hearing and Vision screening
- Restricted Diets/Food Allergies
-Oral Health and Tooth brushing
-Medication Administration
- EPSDT Standards and Requirements
-Coordinate CPR and First Aide Training, and track certification dates and renewal dates for all Head Start and Early Head Start staff
- Attend meetings, staff training events and professional development activities as directed
Community Collaboration & Partnerships
-In coordination with Health & Nutrition Supervisor, maintain relationships and collaborative partnerships with the health and nutrition communities and other community health agencies and partners.
 Participate in community health-related projects, work groups and initiatives as assigned by the Health & Nutrition Supervisor
Program Compliance, Support and Quality Assurance
- Provide staff with information and support related to child immunization requirements
- Coordinate with Family Advocates to provide support to families in securing a medical & dental home, with medical and dental follow-up, and Child Health records and well-child checks
-Coordinate with health agencies in providing appropriate community health and nutrition information and referrals for both staff and parents.
-Collaborate with Family Advocates and to ensure health plans are developed accurately for children identified with health concerns.
-Conduct prenatal and post-natal services as outlined in program performance standards are provided to expectant mothers enrolled in program

Planning and Reporting
-Prepare and submit regular reports to the Health & Nutrition Supervisor regarding the progress toward the objectives established for the health and nutrition service area
-Coordinate with Center Managers to ensure monthly immunization and classroom postings are accurate
-Maintain clear and concise written records of training sessions conducted and completed
-Develop plans for the utilization and maintenance of family and child records
-Assist the Health & Nutrition Supervisor with the development and implementation of strategies that will result in the increased accuracy and efficiency with recordkeeping
- Facilitate the implementation of health and nutrition service plans
- Align health and nutrition service plans with family outcomes from the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework.
- Stay abreast of current trends and best practices as related to health and nutrition by accessing information through membership in professional organizations, trade journals, web-based communication, etc.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science, Child & Family Development, Nutrition or other directly related field
-At least one year of directly relative experience, with emphasis on training and knowledge of community health and/or nutrition resources
- Current training/certification to teach Infant/Child CPR and First Aid or the ability to complete the required training within one month of hire
- Intermediate to advanced computer skills with proficiency in utilizing the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) to create correspondence (memos, letters, etc.), create forms, develop and generate reports, send and receive e-mail correspondence and access the internet as necessary in carrying out the duties of the position
- An equivalent combination of education and experience will be accepted
- Must be willing to travel within and outside of the program service area, and overnight as needed

Essential Mental Functions:
- Knowledge and ability to demonstrate good communication, problem solving, planning and facilitation skills.
- Posses the skills necessary to identify, plan and conduct/facilitate training and technical assistance.

Essential Physical Functions:
Incumbent is regularly required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. Occasionally required to stand, climb, balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
Regularly lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to twenty five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required including close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Salary : $38,000 - $39,000