HONOLULU COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, INC.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE : HEALTH EDUCATIONSPECIALIST

PROGRAM : Head Start

SALARY GRADE : 13

FLSA STATUS : Exempt

REPORT TO : Comprehensive Services Manager

INTRODUCTION

The Head Start Health Education Specialistworks as part of the Head Start multidisciplinary team to ensure that all health requirements for enrolled children meet the health requirements for enrollment and compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards and the State Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) licensing requirements. Works to explore current trends and issues in children's health and develop new, alternative methods of helping children cope with health issues and improve their current health.

CORE COMPETENCIES

  1. Communication - Must be able to communicate and work effectively with people of diverse social, economic and racialbackgrounds. Must have the ability to read and write English at a post-secondarylevel.
  2. Teamwork – Has the ability and desire to work cooperatively with others on a team and as appropriate as a team leader. Demonstrates interest, skill, and success in getting groups to learn to work together.
  3. Problem Solving – Has the ability to systematically identify and define a problem, determine the cause of the problem, identify, prioritize and select alternatives for a solution, and implement a “best fit” solution.
  4. Build Collaborative Relationships/Teamwork – Develops and maintains win/win relationships and partnerships. The ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.
  5. Decision Making/Problem Solving/Analytical Ability – Able to make difficult and appropriate decisions in a timely manner.
  6. Self Development – Has the ability to demonstrate self-initiative and motivation for continuous learning, personal development and personal growth.

ESSENTIAL POSITION & RESPONSIBILITIES includes the following:

  • May perform direct health services, such as screenings, examinations, and immunizations and/or administering of medication
  • Direct, monitor and report the timely delivery of medical, dental, physical, and mental health services to EHS pregnant women and EHS children, ensuring compliance with regulatory timelines; analyze and report
  • Ensure infants and toddlers are up-to-date on all scheduled Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) requirements, including immunizations, well-baby checks, vision and hearing screenings, nutrition assessments, lead and hemoglobin tests and dental exams, and follow-up as needed
  • Ensure that each enrolled child/pregnant woman has a medical and dental "home" and encourage and support families in their efforts to assume responsibility for ongoing health care
  • Arrange for and track timely hearing and vision screenings for EHS children who fail initial screenings or who are thought to have a disability; refer for evaluation for an Individualized Health Plan (IHP) for children with health disabilities; oversee implementation of IHP, ensuring appropriate, timely parent communication and support
  • Collaborate closely with the Health Specialists and Consultants to assure compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards for disabilities services where they overlap with health
  • Monitor all Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) activities in EHS to ensure compliance with CACFP and Head Start regulations, including menu review and food service; establish and maintain required records; track and report
  • Refer parents to WIC for nutrition services; track and report
  • Helps parents understand, plan, and serve economical, nutritional meals an understand and prevent childhood obesity; refer parents for more intense support as needed
  • Works in collaboration with Health Promotions and Prevention Specialist and Child Health and Development Specialists in planning and implementing health literacy through trainings and newsletters
  • Monitor the implementation of a high-quality prenatal curriculum that is individually, ethically, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and responsive to the needs of each pregnant woman, and includes education on fetal development, labor and delivery, postpartum recovery, and the benefits of breastfeeding
  • Visit homes of pregnant women to provide individualized prenatal and postnatal education and planning
  • Help pregnant women access comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care, including early and continuing risk assessments, health promotion and treatment, mental health services, breastfeeding support, and if needed, smoking cessation and drug and alcohol counseling services
  • Arrange and conduct a postpartum visit within two weeks after infant's birth to assess the well-being of both the mother and child
  • Coordinate postpartum visits with parents and teacher or home visitor, and develop plan to transition the infant into the appropriate EHS program option
  • Maintains and tracks health records in collaboration with the comprehensive services assistants (CSAs) for the program and reporting to State agencies (DHS/DOH)
  • Conducts classroom visits on a regular basis to provide support to teaching team and children
  • Works and assists Health Promotion and Prevention Specialist and Child Health and Development Specialists in addressing barriers and challenges for optimal progress and outcomes for health school readiness and transition to Head Start
  • Collaborates and develops/maintains partnerships with community health agencies
  • Provides support and assistance to education teams and family advocates in working with families to meet health requirements for program and State agencies
  • May participate in team conferences
  • Attends and participates on the Health Advisory Committee
  • Attends Policy Council Meetings and Comprehensive Services Standing Committee meetings
  • Other related tasks as needed and determined

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION

Bachelors degree in Human Services, Early Childhood Education, Public Health, Child Psychology, or Health Science required. Training in Nursing or health education preferred. May have Masters in Public Health Child Psychology, or Health Science.

EXPERIENCE

A minimal of one year providing family, education, and health services to families and children in a Head Start Program; two years working with children 0-5 years and their families in an education setting; collaboration and partnership with community agencies for resources and guidance;

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Never/
Rarely / At Times / Often/
Constant
Work Locations : indoors / X
Work Locations : outdoors / X
Work Locations : sitting / X
Walking/standing / X
Bending/crouching/reaching, etc / X
Lifting/carrying - light (up to 10 lbs) / X
- medium (11 to 20 lbs) / X
- heavy (over 20 lbs) / X
Contact with hazardous materials / X
Dust, smoke, odors, noise, etc / X
Travel - inter-island / X
Travel - long distance (mainland, international) / X
Use standard office equipment (including PC keyboard) / X

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

  • Must be able to work independently and be capable of using own judgment in the management of cases.
  • Must be able to work with preschool aged children and their families.
  • Possess a valid State of Hawaii driver’s license and have daily access to an insured automobile for site visits to classrooms.
  • Knowledge ofand agreement with the goals and objectives of the Head Start Program and its interdisciplinary team approach towards the needs of the entire family.
  • Must show evidence of current physical examination and TB test at time of employment.
  • Must furnish proof of recent State of Hawaii “Criminal History Record Clearance” and FBI fingerprint check.
  • Possess strong computer skills including word processing and data base management and able to operate variety of office equipment such as fax, copier, printer/scanner, multi-line phone systems, etc..

DESIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

Bilingual/bicultural skills preferably in Samoan, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, and Laotian

BENEFITS

  • Company paid life insurance and health insurance.
  • Paid time off including vacation, sick leave and paid holidays.
  • Retirement benefits.
  • Leaves of Absence both paid and unpaid.

Health Education Specialist- Head Start 11/22/17