Specialist, Health Services

CHILD DEVELOPMENT•Oxnard, CA

About The Position

Under the supervision of the assigned health and nutrition coordinator, the Health Services Specialist supports health and nutrition services for enrolled Head Start and Early Head Start children and their families. The role conducts screenings, arranges follow-up treatment and ongoing care, identifies health and nutrition-related needs, and helps coordinate referrals and services with families, program staff, health care providers, and community agencies. It also maintains confidential child records and program data, supports parent education and staff training, monitors site health services and safety, and manages related supplies and equipment. The position requires an associate degree in child development, health, or a related field and at least two years of recent experience in public health, health education, health care services, or social work. Fluent English/Spanish bilingual skills are required. The employee must complete an agency-paid, job-pertinent pre-employment physical examination, tuberculosis test, and criminal record background check; employment is conditional on satisfactory results. Periodic physical examinations and TB clearances are required if hired. The position is subject to mandated reporter requirements.

Requirements

Associate degree in child development, health, or a related field.
At least two years of recent experience in public health, health education, health care services, or social work.
Fluent bilingual English/Spanish skills.
Knowledge of the Windows environment and applications such as Word and Excel.
Ability to write reports and business correspondence effectively.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and initiative.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers, staff, families, and the general public.
Ability to understand and carry out instructions provided in written, oral, or diagram form using common sense.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people and groups from diverse cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.
Ability to use hands and fingers effectively to operate a computer keyboard and other office machines and complete required paperwork.
Ability to clearly see detailed documents and reports.
Must complete an agency-paid, job-pertinent pre-employment physical examination, negative tuberculosis test, and criminal record background check; employment is conditional on satisfactory results.
Periodic physical examinations and tuberculosis clearances are required if hired.
Must meet mandated reporter requirements.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of adult learning strategies.
Knowledge of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate curriculum, materials, learning environments, and teaching strategies for children from birth to five.

Responsibilities

Conduct screenings and arrange follow-up treatment and ongoing care for enrolled children in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
Identify children and families with health- and nutrition-related problems.
Assist with nutritional status assessments of Head Start and Early Head Start children using health histories, physical assessments, growth chart data, special needs, and knowledge of community nutrition-related problems.
Conduct and document observations of children in response to health-related referrals.
Make appropriate referrals to agencies and ensure timely follow-up.
Update and document efforts in the program data management system to help staff and families complete screenings and obtain follow-up treatment and ongoing care.
Maintain and update confidential child records, and process and track dental services referrals.
Assist in developing and implementing parent education activities that promote good health and nutrition habits.
Work with local health care providers to help ensure access to and provision of required health services for families and children.
Identify, mobilize, and maintain contact with local community agencies that provide health education services to parents and program staff.
Help monitor health services and provide technical assistance to site staff.
Conduct health and safety site visits and maintain first aid kits.
Help coordinate and provide training to staff, parents, and community members.
Enter child and family information into a computerized record-keeping system; monitor, review, and verify data entry.
Respond to requests for information, forms, and supplies from staff, parents, and community agencies.
Distribute, inventory, and replenish medical and dental supplies.
Monitor the distribution and return of hearing and vision testing equipment.
Maintain record-keeping systems, reports, and other documents required for program reviews and audits.
Attend staff, parent, and community meetings and training sessions as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.