Health Services Coordinator - Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative : Job Details

SUMMARY:Educare Lincoln is a collaborative partnership between the Lincoln Public Schools (LPS), University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL), Early Head Start (EHS), and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. The mission of Educare Lincoln is to help young children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically through high-quality early childhood education, and in partnership with their families and the community. The EHS program at Educare Lincoln promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children ages 6 weeks to 3 years through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social, and other services to enrolled children and their families.The Health Services Coordinator works directly with families and teachers to coordinate health services to children enrolled in the Educare program. Duties include the supervision and monitoring of safety practices and the food services program. The Health Services Coordinator is also responsible for providing formal and informal training/to Educare staff and families.MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:Involvement in Family and Community Partnerships

• Ensure parent participation in planning, implementing, and evaluating health, safety, and nutrition services.
• Provide health, safety and/or nutrition-related training opportunities for families.
• Obtain and disseminate medical information from the medical community regarding health care issues.
• Participate in community planning and developing collaborative relationships with community-based service providers.
• Participate in a Health & Nutrition committee to address program service issues and help agencies respond to community needs.
• Identify services currently available to families in need.
• Represent Educare Lincoln at community events in a positive and professional manner.

Coordination of Safety Practices

• In conjunction with program and partner staff, ensure that the program has established and maintains policies and procedures regarding the following:
• Responses to medical and dental health emergencies.
• Conditions of short-term exclusion and admittance.
• Medication administration, handling and storage.
• Injury prevention and safety awareness.
• Hygiene and sanitation.
• First aid kits availability and restocking.

Coordination of Child Nutrition Services

• In conjunction with the Food Service Coordinator and Administrative Assistant II, ensure adherence to the following practices:
• Staff and families work together to identify children's nutritional needs.
• Meals provided meet all Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) regulatory requirements.
• Quarterly CACFP audits are performed, and a plan of action to correct any violations is developed.
• General supervision of kitchen staff is provided, in conjunction with the School Director.
• Meals are served family style as much as possible.
• Current information on children with food allergies is maintained and substitutions are provided according to their food allergy action plan.

Coordination of Child Health and Developmental Services

• Review and assess the health status of each child enrolled, arrange for further testing or treatment for health/development problems, and develop and implement individual health plans and follow-up as needed.
• Monitor the status of immunizations and well-baby/well-child exams for enrolled children.
• Participate as a member of the multidisciplinary team that completes/reviews screening for developmental, sensory, and behavioral concerns within the time frame required by regulation.
• Communicate with and assist parents with extended follow-up and treatment for health needs, including dental.
• Provide formal and informal training and/or consultation to Educare staff regarding health-related practices in the classroom. Training includes CPR, First Aide, Administration of Medication, Childhood Illness, and Exclusion Policies.
• Train and monitor staff to ensure compliance with EHS standards, licensing, and CACFP.
• Implement ongoing procedures by which program staff can identify new or recurring medical, dental, or developmental concerns.
• Maintain records and document services provided in child files and the MIS systems (Child Plus and ProCare).
• Prepare and submit immunization reports on all enrolled children to the State of Nebraska as required by Licensing.

Other

• Perform other duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Public Health, Human Services, or related field required.
• Training in The Five Rights of Medication Administration required within the first month of hire.
• Minimum two years of experience working with families in a coaching/advocacy capacity required, preferably within a school or healthcare environment.
• Program management and supervision experience preferred.
• Driver's license and automobile insurance required.
• Must be able to pass a background check that meets compliance standards.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS / ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of childcare state licensing requirements, or willingness and ability to learn.
• Compliance with all required confidentiality regulations.
• Ability to build collaborative and supportive relationships with staff and low-income families from diverse backgrounds on behalf of children.
• Ability to participate in and utilize reflective supervision as a means to provide feedback on the health program and to seek continual quality improvement in one's own job performance.
• Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, in a manner that demonstrates and fosters cooperation, respect, concern and openness to change.
• Knowledge of community resources and services.
• Ability to take or think about the perspective of others and demonstrate self-awareness of one's own culture, beliefs, and values.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage time and multiple priorities.
• Ability to maintain boundaries and perform all duties in an ethical and professional manner.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment including, but not limited to, a telephone, fax machine and copier.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification.
• Ability to lift, carry and move center/classroom equipment and supplies as well as bulky objects or children weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work with children, which requires walking or running quickly, kneeling or sitting on the floor, bending and lifting, and walking over rough or uneven ground in and outside of the facility.