Health/Nutrition Specialist (Internal Job Posting)

DAEOC • Sikeston, MO

5d

About The Position

The Health/Nutrition Specialist supports the Children’s Services Department by planning, administering, and overseeing health, dental, and nutrition services. The role ensures services comply with federal Head Start Performance Standards, Missouri Daycare Licensing, and USDA CACFP regulations. In collaboration with department leadership, the specialist helps establish health, wellness, and safety protocols, including promotion, prevention, early identification, and intervention strategies.

The specialist reviews child health records, screenings, immunization information, growth assessments, and dental forms; supports families and staff in arranging timely follow-up; and ensures that medical action plans and special diet statements are reviewed by a health professional before children attend without a parent or legal guardian. The position includes center visits, staff training and feedback, policy and procedure updates, medication and safety oversight, health data monitoring, nutrition support, and management of the USDA Food Program.

The role also contributes to professional development, family and community resource connections, health education, advisory committee work, and leadership initiatives. The specialist keeps current with relevant standards and best practices, promotes family engagement and healthy living, follows program policies, maintains confidentiality, and reports suspected child abuse as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in health, nutrition, social work, or a related field.
• Current driver's license valid in the state of Missouri.
• Access to a vehicle.
• Certified trainer in CPR and First Aid, or ability to obtain certification after hire.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience working with children and families.

Responsibilities

• Review and monitor child health reports and forms, including lead status, vision and hearing screening results, dental exam forms, immunization registry reports, and growth assessments.
• Support parents and Family Advocates in arranging timely medical follow-up.
• Ensure medical action plans requiring medication at school are reviewed by a health professional before a child attends without a parent or legal guardian, and train staff on related best practices.
• Assist with updates to health-related policies, procedures, and forms.
• Conduct regular center visits and observations to check compliance with policies and procedures, and provide timely feedback to staff.
• Support staff understanding and implementation of universal precautions, sanitizing, and disinfection practices.
• Support child medication administration, including awareness of potential side effects and proper documentation and storage.
• Monitor and analyze required health data and follow-up through ChildPlus, and advise programs on corrective action as needed.
• Review child nutrition screening forms and growth assessments, and advise staff and families about perceived nutritional concerns.
• Ensure special diet statements are reviewed by a health professional before a child attends without a parent or legal guardian, and train staff on related best practices.
• Review dental exam forms, plan Head Start Dental Days with community dental clinics, and support timely dental follow-up.
• Assist with updates to nutrition and oral health policies, procedures, and forms.
• Manage the USDA Food Program, including menu planning, requisitions, and production records.
• Provide or identify professional development and training resources in health, nutrition, and safety, and maintain training records.
• Support Family Advocates in connecting Head Start families with health-related community resources.
• Support staff and parents in understanding short-term illness exclusion and other health-related best practices.
• Keep abreast of health field developments and collaborate with community professionals, health departments, and school districts to advocate for children and families and stay informed about community needs and services.
• Contribute to the Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee.
• Provide education, review, and oversight related to prevention, early identification of potential medical problems, and healthy lifestyles.
• Use parent meetings, staff meetings, newsletters, and flyers to help parents and staff understand the link between optimal health and readiness to learn.
• Support staff in quality initiatives, healthy living, and data-informed decision-making.
• Participate and contribute to monthly leadership meetings.
• Monitor changes in Head Start Performance Standards, child care licensing, and early childhood health and safety best practices, and advise programs as needed.
• Encourage staff understanding of parental involvement in children's health and mental health.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and use positive language; follow DAEOC/Head Start policies and procedures; and maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.
• Report observed or discovered child abuse in accordance with mandated reporter requirements and applicable program and state guidelines.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time