Health Services Specialist

Sheltering Arms•Atlanta, GA

85d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Health Services Specialist provides leadership and oversight for comprehensive health services for children from birth to age five across Sheltering Arms programs. This position ensures that children and families receive medical, dental, nutritional, and health education support essential for promoting physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development, thereby supporting long-term educational achievement. The Health Services Specialist ensures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, the Head Start Act, Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (BFTS/DECAL) licensing requirements, and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards. Success in an early childhood environment requires patience, attentiveness, sound judgment, and the capacity to respond effectively in fast-paced and dynamic settings. The Health Services Specialist is responsible for ensuring that children are consistently supervised and engaged in safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate environments and activities. This position also requires managing multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining readiness to respond promptly and appropriately to accidents, emergencies, and other unforeseen situations.

Requirements

Strong written and verbal communication skills, both professional and audience appropriate.
Comfortable presenting to large and small groups.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Able to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
Experience with data tracking systems (ChildPlus experience a plus).
Bachelor’s Degree or advanced degree in health, community health plus work experience in health care or with community agencies or organizations that deliver health services to needy client.
Training and experience in public health, nursing, health education, maternal and student health, or health administration is desired
Current CPR and First Aid certification
Valid Georgia Driver’s License and reliable transportation
Background check, fingerprinting, and drug tests are required prior to hiring date.
Travel to various centers may be required.

Nice To Haves

ChildPlus experience a plus

Responsibilities

Develop, revise, and maintain agency Health Services Policies and Procedures in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, BFTS/DECAL, and NAEYC requirements.
Provide monthly health management reports to administration and center directors.
Oversee collection and verification of annual data for the Program Information Report (PIR).
Participate in annual agency self-assessments and contribute to program planning and decision-making.
Ensure all enrolled students receive required health and dental examinations and sensory screenings.
Develop and implement an ongoing monitoring process, including regular site visits, to ensure identified health and developmental concerns receive appropriate follow-up to resolution.
Maintain accurate, complete student health records in ChildPlus, including tracking against 30-, 45-, 60-, and 90-day deadlines.
Participate in RTI, SST, IEP, and/or IFSP processes as appropriate.
Oversee the dispensing of medications, including obtaining physician instructions and parental consent prior to administration.
Ensure all medications are properly labeled, stored, and documented.
Review medication records with clients regularly.
Conduct medication administration training for relevant staff.
Deliver annual Health Services Procedures training to Center Managers and Family Support Coordinators.
Lead health services training topics at monthly Parent Leadership Organization (PLO) meetings.
Provide on-site consultation to Center Directors and Family Support Coaches on health and nutrition service delivery and record-keeping.
Train community partners and agency staff on relevant health topics.
Serve as a liaison with community programs providing health-related services to Head Start families and low-income clients.
Negotiate and maintain partnership agreements with community agencies.
Connect clients with written resources for community health and nutrition services.
Ensure children and families are linked to ongoing, accessible sources of continuous care.
Oversee pre- and post-home visits with Family Support Coaches and expectant mothers following the Partners for a Healthy Baby Curriculum.
Lead the agency’s Health Advisory and Wellness Committee, comprising Head Start parent and community representatives, pediatric and dental providers, nutrition and mental health service providers, and representatives for infants/toddlers/children with disabilities.