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