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POSITION SUMMARY: The Early Head Start Partner Health Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Grantees Early Head Start (EHS) Partners in the areas of child health, safety, and child nutrition through leadership, training, monitoring and technical assistance to programs systems and services as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards. The Health Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that EHS Partners adhere to state and local requirements regarding health services. The Health Coordinator assists and supports staff at the Grantees EHS Partners to coordinate health services to families of children ages 0-3.

This position requires travel to sites located in the Chicagoland area.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: The Health Coordinator reports to the Assistant Director of Grantee Support Services

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:

• Has primary responsibility for the development of EHS Partners Child Health and Developmental Services, Child Health and Safety, and Child Nutrition Service Plans ensuring that they address the requirements of the Head Start Performance Standards.
• Provides assistance to health consultants at EHS Partners programs in developing Individual Health Plans for children with special health needs and their families.
• Provides technical assistance and monitoring of health service plans for OPFs partner agencies.
• In conjunction with Grantees Head Start Health Coordinator, coordinates and facilitates EHS Partners participation in the OPF Health Services Advisory Committee.
• Be responsible for ensuring vision and hearing screening for children at EHS Partners programs within 45 days of entry into program.
• Collaborates with nutritional consultant and follows up on nutrition-related recommendations.
• Works with Family and Community Partnership/ERSEA Coordinator to assure optimal involvement of parents with health and nutrition plans and activities.
• Provides consultation and technical assistance in staffings, staff meetings and trainings.
• In conjunction with the Grantee Support Services, develops training and other support systems and the annual Training and Technical Assistance Plan to address identified needs and services.
• Conducts CPR, First Aid, OSHA and other health-related trainings as needed for Early Head Start staff and parents.
• Disseminates information to programs related to changes in health regulations and current health-related best practices.
• Monitors health and dental services and records, including COPA data, at EHS Partners programs; documents findings.
• Develops and implements health and dental protocols for the EHS Partners programs in conjunction with Grantees Head Start Coordinator.
• Participates in the evaluation of EHS Partners program services through the annual Self-Assessment and Validation processes.
• Trains EHS Partners health consultants and health-related staff to serve as liaisons to the health community and establish collaborative agreements.
• Develops referral relationships for EHS Partners programs with local health services providers.
• Generates all necessary program service reports.
• Reviews and revises the Health Protocol Manual annually.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of the job description.

EDUCATIONAL AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRMENTS:

• Registered Nurse with State License or Licensed Practical Nurse with five years experience working with children and their families
• Certification as First Aid and CPR Instructor
• Qualified to conduct infant/toddler hearing/vision screenings

ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIRMENTS:

• Clearance of background check by Department of Children and Family Services.
• A biannual physical examination and TB test are required as condition of initial employment and continued employment.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of health related services to the community
• Knowledge of and ability to implement Head Start Performance Standards and state and local licensing requirements
• Knowledge of Department of Health regulations
• Ability to adapt professional expertise to the needs of Early Head Start families
• Ability to communicate and work with diverse families and professionals
• Ability to guide staff in obtaining medical and dental results
• Ability and willingness to work in a program located in a high-risk, low-income community.
• Proven ability to function as a leader, as well as a team member.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
• Ability to communicate and respond in a manner that consistently demonstrates respect and concern.
• Must have excellent organizational skills and proven ability to work within prescribed timelines.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to travel to Grantees Partners sites.
• Intermediate knowledge of computer applications, word-processing software in a Windows environment and ability to learn and master other computer technology /software as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Must be able to talk, hear, sit, stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and lift and or move items of up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must have excellent command of the English language and grammar, both verbal and written.
• Must be able to manually operate and use a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to clearly hear and understand telephone conversations.

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