Health Specialist

Description

Having trouble completing your application? For support, please call (206) 461-8430 or email jobs@nhwa.org.

Closing date: Until filled

Agency Overview

Neighborhood House (NH) serves over 13,000 individuals in Seattle/South King County in the areas of early learning, youth development, citizenship, employment, health, housing, resource navigation, and aging adults. In addition to direct services, we use our experience and connection to our communities to advocate for access to services and policy changes that help people to thrive.

When one of us succeeds, we all succeed!

Our Agency Values focus on serving our community with integrity, building strong relationships, and promoting long-term sustainability.

Click here for more details about our benefits program.

Job Summary

Child Development Department staff support the Neighborhood House mission framework and Strategic Plan by contributing to the school readiness of low-income children and supporting their parents, care givers and community. The primary responsibility of Health Specialist is to support health requirements, home visiting, and family engagement by building children's social competency, ensuring child and family health needs are met, and supporting parents in the home-based program. The Health Specialist reports to EHS Home Based Supervisor.

Responsibilities

Program Planning, Design and Implementation (50%)

• Document service delivery to families through regular and accurate data entry in the department's electronic case management system (ChildPlus). Complete all required program reports accurately and in a timely manner.
• Implement a process of on-going monitoring to assure initial health exams, ongoing health needs, and health supports are being conducted in accordance with the program's policies, procedures and timeliness.
• Advise the Health and Family Services Director of changing demographics, community needs, and resources to ensure the program can continuously evolve to meet the needs of the community.
• Plan and implement a dynamic, developmentally appropriate home-based program for pregnant women, parents, and children ages birth to three. Support the EHS team in conducting home visits as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Promote and Support School Readiness and Family Engagement (50%)

• Maintain regular communication with families (in person, via phone, and electronically) and document communication in the department's electronic case management system (ChildPlus).
• Assist families with the coordination health, mental health, and nutrition resources.
• Work with families to ensure that children are receiving the ongoing health care needed to be successful in school, including physical health, oral health, mental health and nutrition services.
• Assist families in identifying medical and dental homes and arranging regular, ongoing preventative health care appointments as needed. When treatment is needed, support families in arranging for follow up care.
• Administer health and development screenings before deadlines to children in accordance with department policies and procedures; communicate results to families and assists them in determining next steps for their child.
• Share knowledge about the program's health and nutrition education with families.
• Participate in meetings with department staff for the purpose of case managing services to families.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Current Home Visitor CDA (Child Development Credential) from the Council for Professional Recognition or equivalent. One year experience working with children birth-5 and their families.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and considerable self-direction.
• Ability to communicate effectively and relate sensitively to adults and children.
• Proficiency in oral and written English language.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, receive and provide feedback, and manage dynamic interchanges in meetings
• Possess working knowledge of various computer software such as Word and Excel.
• Willingness to comply with the established agency performance standards which may include: productivity/personal responsibility, client/customer service-orientation, embracing a team player orientation, entrepreneurialism, and maintaining a professional demeanor.
• Willingness to comply with Head Start/ECEAP Standards of Conduct by promoting the unique identity of each child and family; conforming with program confidentiality; following child supervision and guidance policies; and refraining from soliciting or accepting personal gratuities, favors, or anything of significant monetary value from contractors or potential contractors.
• Must have reliable transportation and be able to travel independently to Child Development service sites.
• Establish a professional development plan and participate in ongoing professional development.
• The usual methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, frequent stooping, kneeling, and/or crouching and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 45% walking, and 45% standing.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human services, social work, social services, or a related field.
• Familiarity with early childhood education practices and principles.
• Current or former Head Start and Early Head Start parents receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

Required Credentials

• Must pass Neighborhood House background check requirements.
• Position requires Washington State bi-annual criminal background re-check.
• Current Health Exam, Tuberculosis Screening, and record of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination or immunity (must be obtained prior to employment).
• Department of Early Learning portable background check

Post-Hire on-the-job Training Requirements

• Child Abuse and Neglect training (within 2 weeks of hire).
• Current First Aid Certificate within 30 days of hire.
• Current CPR Certificate within 30 days of hire.
• Sexual Harassment Training within 30 days of hire.
• Current Blood Borne Pathogens training within 30 days of employment (maintain current training status during employment).
• Current Food Handlers certificate within 30 days of employment (maintain current certificate during employment).

Employment Practice

Neighborhood House is committed to diversity and to equal opportunity employment. As an equal opportunity employer, we support and follow federal, state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Neighborhood House does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, color, creed, religion, caste, disability, national origin, marital status, mental or physical ability including HIV status, height, weight, veteran status, military obligations, sexual orientation and expression of gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. Management and HR staff are committed to ensuring that all personnel decisions that affect employees, clients, volunteers, and board members are made in accordance with the equal employment opportunity principles of nondiscrimination.

For more information

Inquiries may be directed to People and Culture at (206) 461-8430 or by e-mail to jobs@nhwa.org.