Health Specialist, Head Start

**Summary:** Responsible for providing health monitoring services to children in the Head Start and Child Care programs. Is knowledgeable about program philosophy and regulations and performance standards applicable to health/family services component of program. Supports and promotes School Readiness for children, families and communities. **Why Work for SMOC?** - Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment. - Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time employees. - Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees. - 403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees. - Additional voluntary benefits including; Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability. - Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more. **Primary Responsibilities:** - Works closely with Family Services Manager, Nurse, Nutritionist, Family Advocates and Home Visitor assuming major role in all health-related matters. Meets regularly with Family Services Manager, Nurse and Nutritionist to monitor progress and identify any issues or concerns with children/families. - Reviews all physicals and intakes of children and works to obtain missing health information in order for children to start and/or continue in program. Documents all efforts on contact sheets. - Informs Nurse or Nutritionist of any child requiring Asthma or Allergy plans and assists in obtaining the plans. - Maintains ChildPlus health tracking systems. - Responsible for ongoing documentation of all health-related information of Contact Sheets and filing newly entered medical information (PE, Dental exam, lab test, etc.) in child’s original file in classroom. - Assists Nutritionist in height and weight measurements of all children twice during school year (Fall and Spring). - Conducts required audio and visual screenings of all children within first 45 days of each child’s entry into Head Start program. - Coordinates with Nurse regarding referrals and follow-up for any child who fails audio or visual screenings, or who need dental follow up. Documents all efforts and records these in ChildPlus, as well as contact sheets. - Is responsible for completing “head checks” of all children in classrooms following any extended school break (one week or more) and documenting in each child’s original record. - Responsible for completing Safety Checklist in each assigned classroom and returning completed form to Area Director. - Shares phone coverage with Family Advocates on a rotating basis. - Assists with intakes for new families during the summer months. - Provides accurate and timely reports, record keeping and other required paperwork. - Maintains good work habits, including attendance and punctuality. - Attends all required training, staff meetings, committee meetings. - Is aware of community agencies and resources for families. - Attends pertinent workshops or trainings. - Applies all training to work with families and shares new information with staff. - Provides constructive input on policies and procedures affecting job duties. - Communicates information effectively, both in written and oral form. - Interacts with others in a helpful and courteous manner internally and externally. - Works effectively as a member of a team and attends Center Staff Meetings of all assigned classrooms. - Participates in supervision, setting goals for growth and striving to achieve them. - Attends Family Services Advisory Board meetings in November and May. - Maintains confidentiality of client, s…