JOB GOAL: The Health/Nutrition Specialist is responsible for overall daily oversight of the health, dental, and nutritional services for children and their families enrolled in the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) Head Start Program.

LOCATION: Central Office and Training

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensures that School Nurses maintain detailed, accurate, up-to-date confidential records including: child health files, health services tracking and documentation of activities; develop tracking, documentation, monitoring, and record keeping system to assure that health information data is entered and follow-up services are provided. Develop and submit timely reports of health service provision and activities to the Director. Maintain strict child, family, and staff confidentiality at all times.
• Review and monitor children's health records, immunization records, growth parameters and dental records each week on the ChildPlus recordkeeping system to assure compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards.
• Ensure that all KCKPS Head Start enrolled children are up-to-date on a schedule of age appropriate preventive and primary health care within the 30 /45 / 90 day timeframe of the child's entry and as services become due. Works collaboratively with School Nurses and Family Service Workers (FSWs), parents and community health providers to arrange for needed medical, dental, wellness and/or nutritional services, including necessary follow-up services.
• Monitor the ongoing health status and needs of enrolled children with chronic conditions by ensuring School Nurses are providing health checks and providing administrative oversight of those chronic conditions (medical and nutritional) per the KCKPS Head Start agency's policy.
• Support development, monitoring and / or implementation of the KCKPS Head Start program's policies and procedures to ensure that the objectives of the health and nutrition components of the Head Start Performance Standards are followed.
• Provide training on health and nutrition processes and procedures annually before each school year and as concerns arise during the school year.
• Coordinate and participate when necessary in health screenings to assure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards.
• Assist the Director of Early Childhood by providing information which will be used in reporting and/or grants.
• Provide monthly site visits, fostering and maintaining a working relationship with the school dietary staff and principals to address student health concerns.
• Develop and maintain community resources and outreach to support School Nurses and FSWs as they assist parents with resources and/or materials. Assist with all phases of health, nutrition, and safety education and training for staff, children, volunteers, and parents. Participate in and contribute to all case management, parent education planning, staff meetings, and management team meetings. Facilitate and coordinate the Health Services Advisory Committee.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Health Services, Human Services, Sociology, Public Health or related field.
• Two (2) years of experience working in an area of public/community health (preferred).
• A demonstrated knowledge of early childhood education and development programs.
• Head Start program experience
• A demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to provide compliance monitoring in a proactive and supportive manner.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including demonstrated teaching/training skills.
• Current Infant / Child First Aid and CPR certifications.
• Accurate and ethical record keeping

COMMUNICATION / ORGANIZATION: Maintains communication with school personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students. Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties. Performs other related work as required.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents, students, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must occasionally push items of 50 pounds such as pushing on a bike or wheelchair, or moving/rearranging furniture. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Is directly responsible for students' safety, work output and well-being.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 261 Days

SALARY: Position based on KCKPS SALARY SCHEDULE

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

REPORT TO: Director of Early Childhood/Head Start

EVALUATION: Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation and Professional

SIGNATURES: This job description has been approved by all levels of management:

Administrator _______________________________________________

Human Resources ___________________________________________

Employee signature below constitutes employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.

Employee _________________________________ Date ____________

Primary Location:
Central Office and Training Center

Salary Range:
Per Hour

Shift Type:
Full-Time