Hybrid Head Start Health Specialist/Licensed Practical Nurse (190-day) chez Chester County Intermediate Unit

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Plans and implements training and support to Head Start staff around health, medication and safety protocols and requirements.
• Reviews the child's nutrition assessment prior to program entry and annually growth assessment within 90 days of the child's entry date; recommends and refers for appropriate course of action.
• Annually reviews nutrition/health information for students and addresses individual needs as identified.
• Schedules and conducts annual health screening within established HSPPS timelines.
• Ensures mechanisms are in place that support communication among staff, parents, and community providers to assure individual health and nutrition needs are addressed; provides support, resources and, if applicable, implements action plans.
• Develops, updates, and distributes list of local health resources, as needed.

• Collects, enters, analyzes and reports Head Start health data.
• Provides updates on health services to the management team and grantors, as required.
• Assists Health Coordinator to implement a comprehensive system of services for preventing health problems and intervening promptly when they do exist.
• Reviews, monitors, and collects Head Start child health statuses and care, ensuring they are up-to-date, meeting 30/45/90-day health and screening requirements, following up with staff and parents as needed.
• Ensures all confidentiality requirements are met and those who need information can access it.
• Responds to requests (phone, e-mail and written) from staff related to child nutrition and health needs/concerns, giving guidance and support as needed.
• Compiles and monitors Head Start injury and incident reports, and reports findings as scheduled.
• Tracks Head Start safety drills and practices to ensure program compliance.
• Monitors and assists in ordering classroom medical/health related supplies for program use.
• Distributes classroom health supplies.
• Document health activities, communication, and health records in electronic student records (MHS) and distribute copies to appropriate staff for hard-copy student records.

• Assists the family in assuming the primary responsibility for their own and child’s well-being as it relates to nutrition, health, and physical activity.
• Consults with parents specific to their child’s health needs and coordinates those needs with Head Start staff and within the classroom.
• Assists Family Service Workers in linking the child/family into an ongoing health system.  

• Conducts regularly scheduled Head Start site and home visits, assessing student health and assisting families to procure appropriate health services, as needed. 
• Schedules, completes, and tracks health screenings (vision, hearing, height/weight) for students within set timelines, as assigned.
• Integrates nutrition and oral and physical health education into services and provides education and resources for Head Start parents and staff.
• Annually reviews and monitors Head Start student’s nutritional assessments and ensures supports and dietary substitutes or supplements are available.
• Coordinates with the Food Services Manager to manage restricted diets based on health, religious practices, and/or specific food allergies.
• Works with teachers and parents to make accommodations for children with special dietary and health needs
• Assists in the development and distribution of written, web-based materials and educational sessions for children, parents, and staff within the areas of personal health, fitness, safety, nutrition, and preventive health education, in coordination with Health Services Coordinator.
• Provides health orientation to newly hired staff and provide ongoing professional development and training as needed. Follows-up as needed to ensure all staff understand procedures and expectations.
• Ensures that any medication that must be given during school hours is stored and administered appropriately. 
• Develops, monitors and trains procedures for responding to medical and dental emergencies and addressing individual student medical conditions.
• Implements recommended public health plan for children with communicable diseases; providing guidance to staff and parents.
• Monitors, tracks and reports COVID-19 related illness and provides current health and safety plan guidance to parents and staff.
• Consult with health providers regarding children’s health concerns as needed, after obtaining parental consent.
• Provides or helps parents to obtain health related information, and/or makes health referrals.
• Responds to emergency/critical health situations during school hours.
• Completes all other assigned duties

• Attends Health Services Advisory Committee meetings to ensure the health program is responsive to community and program needs.
• Assists to coordinate and host health-related events and services that support program students and families and community-at-large.
• Assists in providing supervision and assignment for nursing students from local programs.

• Participates actively in regularly scheduled team and program meetings to report on progress and ensure service coordination across all departments.
• Works cooperatively with Family Services to ensure the provision of timely health and dental services to Head Start children and families.
• Attends Head Start parent committee, policy council HSAC, and other program meetings as requested or scheduled (monthly, quarterly). 

• LPN program completed & LPN licensure required
• Willingness to obtain and keep current certifications in CPR and First Aid required
• CPR and First Aid instructor certification preferred
• Bilingual/Bicultural strongly preferred
• Proficiency in word processing, electronic student management system, email and internet navigation
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Proven track record of developing authentic relationships with others.
• Ability to foster a collaborative team approach to solving challenging situations

• Valid Driver's License required
• Current police, child abuse, and FBI fingerprint clearances within 1 year required

Location:
Gordon Early Literacy Center
351 Kersey St
Coatesville, PA 19320

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