Health Specialist

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is seeking a talented Health Specialist who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose and Impact:

The Health Specialist promotes and maintains the health of children enrolled in the Head Start program and performs a variety of technical and clerical duties to implement all aspects of the Head Start Health Component. Participates in the HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts.

Essential Functions:

• Works with Family and Community Engagement Specialists and Health Coordinator in obtaining complete medical and developmental history for each child who enrolls in the Head Start Program.
• Inputs health information into computer; maintain health charts and records.
• Assumes primary responsibility for all health related tracking and follow-up, including but not limited to, physical exams, special health needs, dental exams, dental follow-up, and immunizations.
• Identifies and assesses medical needs of children in collaboration with contracted nurse; arrange for treatment or refer parents to providers for treatment.
• Provides follow up on abnormal findings on physical exams by consulting with parents and Program Nurse or contracted nurse.
• Ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations regarding physical exams and immunizations. Involves supervisor and/or contracted nurse as needed.
• Arranges and participates in health care training programs for staff, parents and children.
• Participates in health related staffing and screening conferences.
• Measures heights and weights two times per year on each enrolled child and generate BMI charts for child files.
• Completes vision and hearing screenings on each Head Start child within 45 days of enrollment.
• Transports children to dental/medical appointments as needed.
• Notifies supervisor and/or contracted nurse of all special health needs for children and follow up with nurse to ensure health care plans are written and in child files.
• Follows up to ensure health care plans are properly implemented by classroom staff.
• Collaborates with contracted nurse to schedule staff trainings, child triage, and other items as needed.
• Maintains positive relationships with community health partners.
• Completes Program Information Report data.
• Visits homes of children to assess home situation and to provide parents with health and dental information.
• Observes children in classroom to detect health care needs.
• Provides dental triage for Head Start children.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the supervisor
• Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required

Other Functions:

Note:

The duties above are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described above.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to lift at least 45 lbs. Reasonable accommodation may be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Education:

High school diploma or GED equivalent. Additional community or college classes in health care preferred.

Experience:

• One year experience in children's health care is required.
• Bilingual preferred:
  English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Also required:

Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Florida driver's license. Certification in First Aid and CPR within six months of the date assigned to this position; and successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check and drug screening prior to hiring.

Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

:

• Ability to utilize various agency resources including technology to appropriately answer questions and…