Health Services Assistant

Primary Purpose:

To assist and facilitate health services in the Head Start program. Monitor and maintain health records of children enrolled in the Head Start program. Connect Head Start children with medical and dental homes. Work in partnership with other content areas of the Head Start program to comply with federal guidelines within the Head Start Performance standards.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification

High School diploma or GED required

Current first aid and CPR certificates or willingness to obtain required

Skills

Knowledge in medical terminology preferred

Knowledge in areas of pediatric health preferred

Bilingual preferred

Strong communication skills

Candidate must have the ability to multitask, be service oriented, a team player, be aware of individual differences, and possess organizational skills

Working Conditions:

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard medical clinic equipment including automated external defibrillator (AED); special needs adaptive equipment; standard office equipment including computer and peripherals

Posture: Must be physically able to tolerate frequent standing, sitting, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing pulling, and twisting

Motion: Must be physically able to tolerate frequent walking, grasping/squeezing, wrist flexion/extension

Lifting: Must be physically able to tolerate light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); may require regular heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and position of students with physical disabilities; controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting non-ambulatory students

Environment: Must be physically able to tolerate cleaning products and sanitizers, exposure to biological hazards, bacteria, and communicable diseases; tolerate occasional travel between worksites; regular exposure to noise

Mental Demands: Must be able to work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress and self-control in the presence of children; work prolonged or irregular hours on occasion

Regular Attendance is an essential function

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Obtains a copy of all enrolled children’s medical and dental records.

Performs vision, hearing, lead, and hemoglobin screenings for Head Start children and appropriately refers children based on screening findings

Completes health related logs, reports, notices, forms, care plans, and records regarding the health of Head Start and Early Head Start children

Visits assigned classrooms and home-based settings for child assessments, screenings, and record maintenance

Arranges follow-up health referrals as needed to the appropriate specialist based on screening results

Notifies parents/caregivers of all screening results

Ensures all enrolled children have a medical or dental home by the end of the enrollment year

Obtains and tracks data from the Release of Information on Head Start and Early Head Start Students and sends to their providers within 7 business days.

Communicates with community health and dental agencies to obtain medical and dental records for Head Start students.

Notifies health staff weekly on the status of Release of Information on Head Start/Early Head Start children.

Collaborates with other health staff to ensure all enrolled children have complete health admission paperwork on a yearly basis

Maintains records and performs clerical work:

Ensures data on children and families is entered into the computer as needed.

Assists with scanning health records into the data management system.

Monitors and enters immunization records into the data management system.

Processes reports from the data management system as needed.

Compiles, maintains, and distributes a comprehensive health provider list.

Communicates effectively with children, parents, and staff

Operates within the established scope of assigned duties, training, knowledge, and competency. Recognizes when a child’s or family’s health-related needs exceed the Health Services Assistant’s level of knowledge, training, or authority and promptly notifies the supervisor or appropriate Health Services staff member for guidance and follow-up.

Reports for work ready to perform responsibilities

Performs duties that directly and/or indirectly impact student performance in Region 16

Maintains a professional level of confidentiality regarding all ESC matters

Supports the mission, goals, and objectives of the ESC strategic plan

Upholds and adheres to safety rules and policies of the ESC safety program

Performs professional responsibilities as required by ESC policies, processes, and procedures

Manages time, calendar, and job responsibilities to meet deadlines

Meets proficiency levels of required technology skills as outlined by supervisor

Incorporates appropriate technology in daily work and exhibits continual growth in technologies as outlined by supervisor

Performs other duties as assigned