Health Specialist (3833)

Lutheran Services Florida • Largo, FL

15d

About The Position

The Health Specialist promotes and maintains the health of children enrolled in the Head Start program and performs technical and clerical duties to implement the Head Start Health Component. The position also participates in Head Start/Early Head Start Quality Assurance efforts.

The Health Specialist works with Family and Community Engagement Specialists and the Health Coordinator to obtain each enrolled child's medical and developmental history; maintains health records; and tracks and follows up on physical exams, dental exams and follow-up, immunizations, and special health needs. In collaboration with a contracted nurse, the specialist identifies and assesses children's medical needs, arranges or refers them for treatment, follows up on abnormal exam findings, and ensures health care plans are documented and implemented.

The role includes arranging health care training for staff, parents, and children; participating in health-related staffing and screening conferences; measuring children's height and weight and preparing BMI charts; conducting vision and hearing screenings within 45 days of enrollment; providing dental triage; and transporting children to medical or dental appointments as needed. The specialist also visits children's homes to assess circumstances and share health and dental information, observes children in classrooms for health care needs, completes Program Information Report data, and maintains relationships with community health partners.

The position requires confidentiality, attendance at required workshops, meetings, and activities, and other related duties as assigned. Duties may vary according to the assigned area of responsibility. The role requires the ability to lift at least 45 pounds, with reasonable accommodation available for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Occasional bending, stooping, lifting up to 25 pounds, and driving for program support are also noted.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• One year of experience in children's health care.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Florida driver's license.
• Obtain First Aid and CPR certification within six months of the date assigned to the position.
• Successfully complete a Level II background screening, local criminal record check, and drug screening before hiring.
• Ability to use agency resources, including technology, to answer questions and guide staff and parents.
• Ability to train and present to large and small groups.
• Ability to collaborate with and have working knowledge of local community resources related to health services.
• Effective and appropriate verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and implement policies and procedures.
• Sustained concentration and attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload and deadlines.
• Diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
• Organization skills and ability to meet designated deadlines.
• Ability to lift at least 45 pounds; occasional bending, stooping, lifting up to 25 pounds, and driving are also noted.
• Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs of the service population.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to agency policies and management practices.

Nice To Haves

• Additional community or college classes in health care.
• Bilingual ability in English and Spanish, or English and other languages present in the local area.

Responsibilities

• Obtain complete medical and developmental histories for enrolled children in coordination with Family and Community Engagement Specialists and the Health Coordinator.
• Enter health information into the computer and maintain health charts and records.
• Track and follow up on physical exams, special health needs, dental exams and follow-up, and immunizations.
• Identify and assess children's medical needs with a contracted nurse, and arrange treatment or refer parents to providers.
• Follow up on abnormal physical exam findings in consultation with parents and the Program Nurse or contracted nurse.
• Help ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations regarding physical exams and immunizations; involve a supervisor or contracted nurse as needed.
• Arrange and participate in health care training programs for staff, parents, and children.
• Participate in health-related staffing and screening conferences.
• Measure each enrolled child's height and weight twice per year and generate BMI charts for child files.
• Complete vision and hearing screenings for each Head Start child within 45 days of enrollment.
• Transport children to dental or medical appointments as needed.
• Notify a supervisor or contracted nurse about children's special health needs and follow up to ensure health care plans are written and filed.
• Follow up to ensure classroom staff properly implement health care plans.
• Collaborate with the contracted nurse to schedule staff trainings, child triage, and other activities as needed.
• Maintain positive relationships with community health partners.
• Complete Program Information Report data.
• Visit children's homes to assess the home situation and provide parents with health and dental information.
• Observe children in classrooms to detect health care needs.
• Provide dental triage for Head Start children.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff.
• Attend workshops, meetings, staff and parent meetings, and activities as required or directed by the supervisor.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Telehealth with 24/7 online access to doctors.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to one times salary.
• 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday.
• Generous paid time off policy starting at 16 working days per year; Head Start employee time-off and holiday schedules may differ.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% discretionary employer match or 3% student loan repayment reimbursement.
• Tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED