Health Services Nurse, LPN/RN

SOUTH MIDDLESEX OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL • Framingham, MA

7d • $68,000 - $72,000

About The Position

The Health Services Nurse (LPN/RN) provides and coordinates health services for SMOC Head Start and Child Care programs. The position requires knowledge of program philosophy, regulations, and performance standards applicable to the health component. The nurse supports children's and families' health needs, maintains health and medication records, coordinates screenings and staff training, and consults with program staff and families. The role includes regular site visits, collaboration with the Nutrition Coordinator and other staff, and ensuring compliance with agency, program, and funder requirements. The position works Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with a 30-minute unpaid meal break, for 37.5 hours per week. Direct or incidental contact with clients may occur, and employment requires a successful background check.

Requirements

• Must be a licensed health professional.
• Must have a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and meet insurance standards.
• Must provide proof of a physical examination within the last year determining good health and compliance with all EEC requirements, and submit proof of a physical examination every two years thereafter.
• Must provide proof of MMR vaccination or titer.
• First Aid certification is required.
• Child CPR certification is required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing preferred.
• Relevant experience and supervisory experience preferred.
• Preference is given to current and past Head Start parents.
• Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Maintain working knowledge of SMOC Child Care and Head Start philosophy, regulations, and performance standards.
• Maintain confidentiality of client, employee, and agency information in accordance with applicable laws, funder requirements, and agency policies.
• Attend required training, staff meetings, committee meetings, team meetings, engagement team meetings, Pre-Service, March PDD, and All-set meetings.
• Communicate with supervisors about needs and concerns regarding children and families, and provide information effectively in writing and orally.
• Provide accurate and timely reports, records, and other required paperwork.
• Assess injury reports for patterns three times a year and update injury logs annually.
• Run and review weekly and monthly ChildPlus reports, monitor compliance, data accuracy, and performance indicators, and ensure timely corrective action when concerns are identified.
• Ensure medical and medication data in ChildPlus is current.
• Complete and submit the annual Massachusetts Immunization Survey in the fall of the school year.
• Train staff in CPR and First Aid as needed during the school year.
• Maintain current medical information for all staff, including physical examination and Mantoux testing results.
• Identify health hazards in settings serving children and settings occupied by staff.
• Consult on bus safety information distributed to Head Start and Child Care parents.
• Assess the severity of injuries or illnesses occurring at school.
• Assemble and monitor classroom emergency kits and order medical supplies to replenish them.
• Obtain Individualized Health Care Plan (IHCP) plans and forms from medical professionals for children.
• Sign off on staff guidance and training for medical IHCPs.
• Create and distribute classroom red allergy/medical folders for children with IHCPs.
• Monitor children taking medication in classrooms and ensure staff meet with parents when medication is delivered.
• Obtain signed parental permission for dispensing medication at school.
• Create individual children's health plans (IHPs), train staff, and sign off on IHCPs and guidance during training.
• Serve as a consultant to staff regarding child and family health issues and advocate for Head Start and Child Care parents with primary care providers when necessary.
• Coordinate program-wide dental screenings in Head Start and Child Care classrooms.
• Provide a health presentation at one Parent Center meeting during the school year.
• Attend pertinent workshops and trainings, including trainings outside the program, and apply training to work with families and share new information with staff.
• Oversee the program-wide Asthma and Allergy list monthly, distribute updates to classrooms, and maintain the updated list in the Shared Head Start Folder.
• Oversee and coordinate nursing students, contracts, and memoranda of understanding.
• Conduct hearing and vision screenings for preschool children when a Health Specialist is unavailable and ensure results are accurately entered into ChildPlus with Health Specialist support.
• Maintain awareness of community agencies and resources for families and staff.
• Visit the two larger sites for at least three hours weekly and satellite sites for at least one hour monthly.
• Notify Directors when children with IHCPs are ready to start with medication and plans.
• Co-facilitate with the Nutrition Coordinator a current tracking sheet of all children on medications and with food allergies, including forms and current dates.
• Co-facilitate with the Nutrition Coordinator the Spring and Fall Family and Health Advisory Committee meetings and complete attendance records and minutes.
• Provide constructive input on policies and procedures affecting job duties.
• Interact helpfully and courteously with internal and external contacts, engage clients by understanding and addressing their needs, and offer health counseling to families whose children are identified as at risk health-wise.
• Ensure compliance with program, department, agency, and funder requirements, as well as SMOC policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Full-time employees can accrue up to three weeks of vacation and two weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year.
• Employer-paid life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability for full-time employees.
• Medical plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA employer cost-sharing program, dental plans with orthodontic coverage, and EyeMed vision insurance for full-time employees.
• 403(B) retirement plan with a company match starting on day one for full-time and part-time employees.
• Voluntary benefits including term and whole life insurance, accident insurance, critical illness coverage, hospital indemnity, and short-term disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed