Health Specialist I

Telamon is an eleven-state, non-profit corporation headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina serving communities for 55 years. Telamon’s mission is to provide educational services that lead to better jobs, better lives, and better communities.  Telamon provides programs and services in three areas, Early Childhood and Family Support, Workforce Career Services, and Housing & Financial Empowerment. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Promote child wellness and identify concerns early to help all children become ready for school. Work with program staff and families to support the development of children with special needs. Collaborates with community partners to build peer networks, link families and children to needed services, and support successful transitions for children and families.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Meets federal, state, and program documentation requirements by maintaining accurate, objective, complete, timely, and well-organized child and family records, both on paper and in designated on-line systems. Maintains confidentiality regarding students and families.

2. Assumes responsibility for primary health care of assigned children at the center level in states. Prepares and maintains all required health records on enrolled children.

3. Administers medications in accordance with policy. Provides first aid when needed.

4. Schedules health and dental examinations with contracted physicians and dentists. Provides or arranges for transportation for appointments or emergencies as needed.

5. Participates and/or conducts screenings on children, including children with disabilities, as well as in developing individual service and health plans. Monitors records to make sure children are up-to -date on preventive and primary health care.

6. Works collaboratively with a range of community specialists (e.g., medical, dental, speech, nutrition, mental health) by sharing child and family information, identifying approaches to solving issues, and developing follow-up plans.

7. Promotes a unified approach to sharing child information with families by engaging in joint planning with teachers and other specialists to prepare for home visits and other family contacts. Participates in case management and transition meetings.

8. Assists education staff in implementing health, dental, mental health safety, and nutrition activities within the classroom.

9. Provides information and education to parents and the community about available programs and other community resources. This can be done in-person, by telephone or a group presentation format.

10. Documents implementation of safety policy and procedures at center level in accordance with program and corporate policies/procedures.

11. Where applicable, ensures proper documentation and implementation to meet USDA CACFP requirements.

12. The person in this position must have the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

13. Protects the safety of children by ensuring the implementation of active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.

14. Ensures the mobilization and documentation of matching/in-kind funds.

15. Provides health and nutrition training and technical assistance to staff and parents.

16. Inventories and orders health related supplies.

17. Assist with recruitment of children, including children with disabilities.

18. Participates in staff and parent meetings, committees and training sessions.

19. Works in cooperation with supervisor to develop and document progress on professional development plan. Actively engages in professional development activities to increase qualifications in accordance with Corporation’s Core Values.

20. May perform duties of other staff members (Teacher, Bus Monitor, Center Aide, Teacher’s Assistant) in time of staff shortage.

21. Fills in on a temporary basis for facility staff when the staff member needs to leave the classroom for a short duration.

22. Work may require the flexibility to stay until all children have left the program.

23. Perform all other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position has no direct supervisory duties but is expected to train or explain work procedures to others.

ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience Requirements:

•[10] Must have a high school diploma/G.E.D. and within eighteen months of hire, have at a minimum, a credential or certification in health services, required. A Certified Nursing Assistant credential is recommended.

•[13] An Associate’s degree in Nursing (AAS), or Health related field, or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), is preferred* or an AA in Early Childhood Education supplemented by 9 hours of health coursework with 1 year work experience in child health.

•[16] A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, or Health related field, or Registered Nurse (RN) is preferred* or a BA/BS in Early Childhood Education supplemented by 9 hours of health coursework with 2 years of work experience in child health.

•Must be able to get certification for CPR and First Aid after hire and recertify as required.

•Must have a willingness to work towards any additional credentials needed to move to the next level in the position, this may include continued education.

•Minimum of one year of work related experience.

•Experience providing adult training and education preferred.

•Experience working with young children preferred.

•Must have own transportation, a valid driver’s license, and vehicle insurance.

*Degree in a related field is defined as an associate, baccalaureate or advanced degree in a field other than Nursing, or Health Related Field that either includes or is supplemented by nine (9) college credits in Nursing, Health and Wellness or Public Health.

Skills and Abilities:

•Knowledge of health resources in the community.

•Microsoft Office products and on-line client management systems.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

•This job is a mixture of desk work, standing and walking for long periods of time, and visits in the community.

•Driving/sitting for prolong periods of time.

•Occasional exposure to adverse weather conditions.

•Sitting walking, stooping, squatting, lifting (up to 30 lbs), carrying, pushing and climbing.

•Exposure to blood, other bodily fluids, cleaning chemicals and dirt.

•Subject to long periods of sitting and exposure to computer screen.

•Keyboarding and data entry, use of telephone.

•Regular attendance for this position is required, as regular attendance ensures we are providing the services we have committed to provide to the children and families we serve.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.