Health Specialist - Cliffside Park, United States - Greater Bergen Community Action

Description

• Directs and supervises Health Specialist Assistant(s) and/or Health Aide(s)
• Responsible for yearly evaluations of Health Specialist Assistant(s) and/or Health Aide(s)
• Learns and adheres to the philosophy and mandates of Head Start/Early Head Start as outlined in the Performance Standards and the Policies and Procedures of Greater Bergen Community Action
• Understands how children develop and learn in a variety of school, family and community contexts and provides opportunities that support their intellectual, social, emotional and physical development
• Attends inservice and preservice training workshops as required and/or requested
• Assists with the health education training for the staff during preservice
• Coordinates First Aid/CPR trainings for the staff
• Reviews the safety drills protocols for all the sites
• Responsible for conducting and documenting monthly drills at assigned site, oversees the compliance of this task at other sites, and keeps the logs for the Fire Department and Local School Districts.
• Provides liaison with community public and private health agencies
• Maintains a close working relationship with the existing medical services in the local community and attempts to effect change to improve the quality of these services
• Responsible for coordinating and supervising all phases of the health content area, record keeping and reports
• Develops an indepth master plan for health content area in a clear, precise manner, which would serve as a monthly guide in case of absence
• Supervises the maintenance and upkeep of current and accurate tracking records of the Health Section of all children's files.
• Responsible for reviewing infant, toddler's and child's immunization records and medical history of child prior to child's entrance into Head Start and Early Head Start program
• Participates in initial intake and obtains medical histories of children at assigned sites
• Oversees intake process of Health Specialist Assistant(s)
• Prepares and maintains Medical Emergency Permission forms in red folders in the classrooms
• Participates in the training for the parents during Orientation Day.
• Prepares and maintains classroom health bulletin boards, posts and maintains emergency procedures
• Issues first aid equipment to teachers, checks periodically for refills. Requisitions medical supplies and equipment as needed
• Distributes toothbrushes and toothpaste in September, January, April and July
• Conducts hand washing and dental hygiene demonstrations for staff and students
• Plan for and participate in back to school events and health fairs, these activities will be scheduled during the day, evening or weekend
• Plan and/or participate in class trips or any other type of event that may take the teacher and/or students out of the typical classroom environment
• Responsible for setting up all screening within the first 45 days of the program year and assists with the supervision of health screenings
• Provides and notifies parents of health screening dates and informs them of results in writing and initiates and monitors referrals as indicated
• Performs heights, weights and BMI on students in October and April, keeps and updates health nutrition records and consults with nutrition staff
• Conducts parent conferences when necessary
• In conjunction with the Associate Director of Specials Services, works on Health Services Advisory Committee, the schedule, agenda and logistics.
• Participates in Team Meetings with education, social services and special services staff to discuss any concerns with a child; and is responsible for all follow up and referral work pertaining to health and nutrition area.
• Compiles and distributes health summary IMM8/yellow cards to the parents with all information regarding medical/dental care and services the child received during the year. Oversees the complying and distribution of this information at other sites by Health Specialist Assistant(s)
• Develops clear procedures for referrals, follow up and transfers of medical records to the public schools
• Monitors and maintains tracking forms for medical, dental, hearing, vision, and immunizations monthly and reports past due to Associate Director of Special Services and sends reminder letter to parents
• Performs and maintains immunization reviews and work with the local and state Health Department during the immunization audits.
• Insures that all state and federal mandates are adhered to in relation to health issues
• Submits requisitions for medical supplies and equipment to Associate Director of Special Services for approval
• Administers and monitors medications and completes medication log monthly and forwards report to Associate Director of Special Services
• Responds appropriately to medical emergencies and inform the administrators if any 911 phone ca