The Health Specialist will apply professional expertise and work as a team to provide training and technical assistance to childcare partners and staff. Under the supervision of the Health Manager, the Health Specialist will provide support and training to Family Advocates and center staff on services, data entry, and follow-up to ensure families get the services they need and health requirements are met.
RESPONSIBILITIES
● Respond to identified health (medical and dental), mental health, and nutrition needs within the program and provide expertise and support in content areas, utilizing consultants as appropriate.
● Use a multidisciplinary team approach to develop and provide health, nutrition, and mental health services to EHS children, families, and staff.
● Provide information, referral, and coordinating efforts to link staff and families to appropriate community services for medical, dental, nutrition, or mental health issues and support the family in accessing services in collaboration with their assigned Family Advocate.
● Provides guidance to staff regarding the assessment and follow-up of safety concerns and hazards.
● In collaboration with staff and consultants, develop and maintain policies and procedures in assigned areas.
● Designs and delivers training to staff, parents, and community organizations to include best practices in the health and nutrition field and community collaboration opportunities and services.
● Participates in the Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC).
● Participates in coordinating the program’s annual self-assessment and strategic planning process.
● Assesses, identifies (includes individual child assessments), documents, plans, and evaluates all health and nutrition-related services to ensure the best possible health/nutrition outcomes for children and families, in collaboration with the Nutrition Consultant.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
● Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Health, Public Health, Social Services, or similar degree.
● Education must be combined with at least two years of professional-level experience in Health Services, preferably in a Head Start environment.
● Experience in design and delivery of training for adult learners.
● Bilingual is highly desirable.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
● Working knowledge of local community health resources.
● Ability to collaborate with other content, community partners, and service providers.
● Ability to connect families with health services including medical and dental homes.
Please send your resume to kcofer@transforminglives.org