Health Advocate DC-

Overview

Under the guidance of the Family Leadership Coordinator, the Health Advocate ensures that the health, safety, medical, and nutritional needs of all children serviced by Children & Family Stability Services are met, in compliance with licensing, program standards, and health and safety regulations.

• Reports to Family Leadership Coordinator.
• Establishes and maintains good working relationships with agency staff, partnering agencies, parents, and children.
• Responsible for data entry and ensuring it is current at all times.
• Coordinates all initial vision, hearing, and nutrition screenings.
• Refers failed screenings for appropriate medical follow‑up.
• Completes Health Intake with all families applying for services.
• Ensures all physical and dental examinations are current.
• Assists teaching teams in contacting families of ill children.
• Provides basic first aid to children in need.
• Responds to requests (phone, email, written) from staff regarding child health needs/concerns.
• Assists in developing and distributing written and web‑based materials for children, adults, and employees.
• Evaluates immunization status for each enrolled and applying child and ensures proper data entry.
• Monitors completion of required immunizations for each enrolled child.
• Centralizes record‑keeping of required health‑related forms such as physical and dental exams.
• Assists Office Manager in implementing and maintaining staff CPR/First Aid/MAT training.
• Assists Director with developing and maintaining written health policies and procedures.
• Ensures health services equipment and materials are tracked and accounted for.
• Orders, monitors, and replenishes all first aid kits monthly.
• Supports families in using community resources by referring them to medical and dental insurance providers and service providers, and follows up on referral effectiveness.
• Notifies kitchen staff of food allergies and special nutritional needs and maintains an up‑to‑date allergy list.
• Assists nutritionists in meeting children’s nutritional needs.
• Trains teaching staff in medical, nutritional, and special health needs of children.
• Gives and records medication to children.
• Assists parents with scheduling medical appointments and provides transportation as needed.
• Follows sick children by giving medication, taking temperature, administering first aid, contacting parents, arranging appointments, and following up on recovery.
• Follows all agency, childcare, and program policies, procedures, and standards.
• Communicates suspicion of child abuse, neglect, or maltreatment to the program director.
• Prepares reports as requested.
• Attends scheduled meetings, parent meetings, training, and center events.
• Provides and supports on‑site telemedicine services.
• Completes all work promptly.
• Continues professional development.
• Maintains confidentiality of children and families.
• Assists in coordinating special projects.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by the unit coordinator.

The employee exercises initiative and independence in establishing his or her schedule for meetings with staff, participants, and community agencies. He or she follows established procedures for conducting the tasks required of the position and is creative and resourceful in assessing situations to determine whether a crisis is involved and how best to proceed within the framework of agency and program policies.

The employee consults with the supervisor if in doubt before proceeding.

• Analytical skills – ability to use reasoning to solve problems.
• Accuracy – ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Customer orientation – ability to meet customers’ needs while following procedures.
• Detail orientation – attention to minute details.
• Developing others – ability to teach and provide constructive feedback.
• Diversity orientation – ability to collaborate effectively with people of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, religions, and job types.
• Ethical – adherence to professional values and standards.
• Interpersonal – understanding of others’ attitudes and needs, strong listening skills.
• Leadership – ability to motivate, influence, and support others.
• Training…