Health Services Specialist (30097 and 3833)
Pinellas Head Start / Early Head Start
Located in Largo, FL

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong and communities are vibrant.

Since 1982, Lutheran Services Florida has been providing and sharing solutions to protect Florida’s most vulnerable. Today, we are one of the largest nonprofits in Florida touching 1 in 50 Floridians with a wide range of services, including:

• early childhood education
• refugee and immigration
• mental health and substance abuse
• juvenile justice
• child welfare

LSF is looking for a talented Health Specialist who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose & Impact

The purpose of the Health Specialist is to promote and maintains the health of children enrolled in the Head Start program. Performs a variety of technical and clerical duties to implement all aspects of the Head Start Health Component.

A Day in the Life of a Health Specialist

• Works with Family and Community Engagement Specialists and Health Coordinator in obtaining complete medical and developmental history for each child who enrolls in the Head Start Program.
• Inputs health information into computer; maintain health charts and records.
• Assumes primary responsibility for all health related tracking and follow-up, including but not limited to, physical exams, special health needs, dental exams, dental follow-up, and immunizations.
• Identifies and assesses medical needs of children in collaboration with contracted nurse; arrange for treatment or refer parents to providers for treatment.
• Provides follow up on abnormal findings on physical exams by consulting with parents and Program Nurse or contracted nurse.
• Ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations regarding physical exams and immunizations. Involves supervisor and/or contracted nurse as needed.
• Arranges and participates in health care training programs for staff, parents and children.
• Participates in health related staffing and screening conferences.
• Measures heights and weights two times per year on each enrolled child and generate BMI charts for child files.
• Completes vision and hearing screenings on each Head Start child within 45 days of enrollment.
• Transports children to dental/medical appointments as needed.
• Notifies supervisor and/or contracted nurse of all special health needs for children and follow up with nurse to ensure health care plans are written and in child files.
• Follows up to ensure health care plans are properly implemented by classroom staff.
• Collaborates with contracted nurse to schedule staff trainings, child triage, and other items as needed.
• Maintains positive relationships with community health partners.
• Completes Program Information Report data.
• Visits homes of children to assess home situation and to provide parents with health and dental information.
• Observes children in classroom to detect health care needs.
• Provides dental triage for Head Start children.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the supervisor
• Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required

Why work for LSF?

Ability to Make an Impact in Multiple Areas

LSF offers several programs, spanning across a wide range of populations in need. This gives our team members an opportunity to learn and potentially work in programs outside of their direct area. Either way, members of the LSF family will play a part in transforming the lives of those in need.

Community

A career at LSF means working and learning alongside talented professionals in a dynamic and inclusive environment. The values of our organization – OPEN-MINDED, COMPASSIONATE, GENEROUS, VISIONARY and HONESTY – drives each one of us.

People working at Lutheran Services Florida treat each other like family. Whether you work on the front lines or work in an office, you share a common bond that is felt throughout the organization.

Growth Opportunities

Because of the variety of programs we offer throughout Florida, team members have the option to explore areas of interest in other programs or grow within their existing program/department.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, dental and vision
• Teledoc (24/7 access to doctors via phone and video)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term disability
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary), AD&D
• Health and dependent care FSA
• Paid holidays
• Generous PTO policy
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match
• Tuition reimbursement
• LifeMart Employee Discount Program

Additional Voluntary Benefits

• Short-term disability
• Group life insurance
• Accident, critical illness/Cancer and hospital policy
• Legal Shield coverage

Lutheran Services Florida is an equal opportunity employer and a drug free workplace.

Experience

• 1 year(s): One year experience in children's health care is required