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, staff and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws.
• Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.
• Attend & participate in engagement team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with clients and staff in other areas.
• Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as, SMOC policies & procedures.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Related Certification or higher
• Relevant experience preferred
• Computer skills preferred
• Bilingual-Spanish and/or Portuguese required
• Preference in hiring given to past or current Head Start parents. 
• Valid Driver’s License, reliable transportation, and good driving record
• Must be or become certified in CPR & First Aid within the time frame required by EEC licensing.

Organizational Relationship: 

• Directly reports to the Health Coordinator LPN/RN
• Indirectly reports to Monitoring and Compliance Manager and Education Manager.
• Direct reports of this position are N/A.
• Indirect reports of this position are N/A

Physical Requirement: 

• Proof of physical exam within the last year determining good health and meeting all EEC requirements. Must submit proof of physical exam every 2 years thereafter. Proof of MMR.

Working Conditions: As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Health Specialist will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.

Hybrid Work Option: Hybrid work is permissible in some positions at SMOC depending on the key functions and responsibilities. The Health Specialist, Head Start position is eligible to work from home 0% of the week in scheduling coordination with the department manager.