Head Start - Health Nutrition Manager
: Job Details :

Job DetailsJob LocationMeriden YMCA Head Start - Meriden, CTPosition TypeFull TimeJob ShiftDayDescriptionA. EXPLANATIONThis position works as a part of the content area team of managers/specialists/coordinators to integrate Head Start services for children and families and is responsible for education and early childhood health services (1304). B. GENERAL SUMMARY OF WHAT THE POSITION DOESHealth (medical and dental), nutrition and child safety areas are an integral part of the larger system of services provided by Head Start. They play an important part in supporting the goals of the program. This position is responsible for the facilitation of Health Services of the Head Start program. The position is responsible for collaborating on the development and implementation of the program, tracking and recordkeeping, community relations and outreach. The position could involve provision of direct services in the health areas only if the individual is licensed, certified or registered as such in the state of service. This position is responsible for ensuring health procedures are performed only by licensed/certified health professionals with expertise in serving young children and their families. This position provides content area training and technical supervision to other agency staff and ensures health services are supported by staff/consultants with training and experience in public health, nursing, health education, maternal and child health or health administration. C. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITIONDuties of the position are described in major functional areas listed below. Additional duties may be assigned.

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES

Implementation and Recordkeeping

Responsible for the following:

Writes, reviews and revises Health Work Plans annually. Develops a system for administering and monitoring the work plans. Monitors compliance with the Head Start Work Plans, child care licensing guidelines and the Head Start Performance Standards in the applicable content areas and sub-areas.

Establishes policies and procedures for the health portion of the program with parents and staff that support the effective implementation of health services.

Medical, dental, nutrition and child safety areas.

Emergency Management System in collaboration with staff person responsible for family and community partnerships.

CACFP: Works cooperatively with staff person responsible for Fiscal/AR in monitoring the CACFP program and completing the application for sponsorship in cooperation with Finance Office. Uses the Meriden YMCA CACFP Notebook system. Checks menu books for complete, appropriate, accurate documentation. Conducts kitchen monitoring reviews.

Develops a list of local health and related resources and defines procedures for effective use of these resources. Initiates and establishes working relationships with local providers through contractual agreements as appropriate.

Establishes a system for providing health and nutrition education to families through workshops, parent meetings, handouts, etc.

Develops and implements a plan and system of continuous monitoring and evaluation of activities within the program. Keeps complete records and documentation of all contacts.

Develops system for maintenance of individual health records on children in conjunction with family services staff. Ensures that health records are reviewed, evaluated and interpreted. Maintains vital statistics and other data affecting health services.

Takes the lead on the following:

Health Services Advisory Committee: Responsible for the planning, convening and implementation of policies and/or procedures of the semi-annual Health Services Advisory Committee meetings.

Identifies and is Knowledgeable of Health Resources: Establishes relationships and develops a thorough knowledge of health resources for families including Medicaid, the state Husky Program, state health services and other community resources that assist families in establishing a medical home.

Establishes, Negotiates and Monitors Contracts with Health Service Providers: Establishes contracts with health professionals to provide services to the Head Start program in such areas as vision referrals, child health screenings/exams, dental services, and others as necessary. Contracts may include consultants and/or volunteer services.

Health Education Curriculum: Responsible for developing a developmentally appropriate health education curriculum in conjunction with the staff person responsible for early childhood education services for children and parents that can be integrated into program activities. Oversees Child Safety sections of Performance Standards to include fire drills, first aid kits, medication administration systems and systems for Safety Committees in collaboration with the staff person in charge of facilities.

Health Training and Employee Health Tracking: Establishes a yearly system of training and health education for staff, to include CPR, First Aid, nutrition, child abuse and neglect identification and reporting, etc. Works with the Human Resource Manager to follow-up with employee required initial and periodic health exams and TB screening and tests. Documents as required by Performance Standards and childcare licensing.

Serves as Chairperson of the Safety Committee

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards including specific knowledge of Child Health and Disabilities (1308) portion of the Standards.

Oversees the screening, re-screening and follow-up for all health services.

Participates in staffing of children and is responsible for all health recommendations, as necessary. Attends IEP/IFSP meetings as requested.

Serves as or arranges for health/nutrition resource specialist to teachers, home

visitors and family service staff.

Assists in the development of protocols as necessary to support children and families.

Provides resource information to staff and families on an as-needed basis. Assists in providing current information for the Community Resource Guide.

Follows the state and federal regulations pertaining to child abuse and neglect, and maintains strict confidentiality of all information. Coordinates with family community partnership staff in this area to make sure there is a system and training known by all staff.

Works closely with disabilities services staff in the assessment process and follow up to assure that the special needs of each child with disabilities are met.

Arranges for health services to Head Start/Early Head Start families in cooperation with other agencies/providers. Oversees referral of parents and children to other agencies/providers as needed.

Arranges for a health, nutrition consultants to be available for staff meetings, parent training sessions, etc., as indicated.

Develops community resources for provision of services to children with health concerns.

Collaborates with early childhood education staff to facilitate the integration of health and inclusion activities in the classroom curriculum.

Works with staff to assist teachers to identify children who show signs of health problems. Training and Supervision

Provides or arranges training to classroom staff on topics such as family-stylemeal service and health/nutrition curriculum.

Provides information and support on providing health curriculum activities for children and families.

Provides or arranges training for parents on health topics.2. EXAMPLES OF GENERAL JOB DUTIES

Understands, generates and documents in-kind and other allowable costs appliedtoward the non-federal share requirement.

Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor.

Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.

Responsible for understanding Head Start Performance Standards and local child care licensing regulations.

Expected to be knowledgeable of the regulations associated with prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination.

Positively promotes Head Start in the community.

Models and exercises supervisory authority to support other employees in the

execution of work duties in a manner consistent with Meriden YMCA standards for compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including Meriden YMCA policies and procedures reflecting best practices. Adherence to the procedure for Policy Council approval or disapproval of hiring and termination decisions made by Meriden YMCA as described in the Head Start Performance Standards (Section 1304.50) is required. In addition, supervisors are expected to model exemplary standards of ethical behavior and exercise careful stewardship of program funds, and support those they supervise in adhering to those standards.

Becomes thoroughly familiar with Meriden YMCA Employee Handbook, Meriden YMCA Head Start Operations Manual and all other Meriden YMCA handbooks, manuals and resources and adheres to them.

Plans and directs the work of the staff supervised. Observes and gives feedback to staff or volunteers supervised where applicable and other staff as assigned on at least a weekly basis.

Makes appropriate personnel decisions that do not require higher approval and submits others as a recommendation to the supervisor.

Determines appropriate training needs to meet the program goals and objectives and makes the necessary recommendations.

Develops and supports the professional development plan for staff supervised.

Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Monitors compliance with the content area work plans.

Develops and implements a plan and system of continuous ongoing monitoring and evaluation of activities within the program. PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED D. SUPERVISION EXERCISEDImmediate supervision means those employees the position assigns, directs and evaluates. Position Supervised: See Organizational Chart

• This position provides content area training and technical supervision of all agencystaff. E. PERSONAL CONTACTSMajor internal and external contacts, and the minimal frequency of those contacts, are listed. Internal ExternalSee Organizational Chart Head Start Parent - as needed Community Partner - as needed Food Vendors- as needed Nutrition Consultant - as needed Health Service Providers - as needed F. DECISIONS AND COMMITMENTSThis section will describe the kinds and impact of decisions and commitments; the effects, influence and significance of these decisions; the consequence of error and the limitation of the finality of decision making.Decisions made regarding the health of the Head Start children and parents are very important. Accurate recordkeeping and ensuring that timely and proper referrals are made are very important to the health of the children and the success of the program. Accurate documentation and recordkeeping is important for follow-up and continuity in the program.G. SUPERVISION RECEIVEDThe job description and the content area work plan serve as a guideline. Assistance is received from other agency staff as needed. Outside assistance can be received from other related resources. Head Start effectively uses the teamwork approach. All components are interwoven so as to better assist and support families. The immediate supervisor is responsible for appraisals of this position.

QualificationsH. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIESKnowledge: Considerable knowledge of health, nutrition, human development, community health, nursing principles, practices and procedures. Knowledge of public health programs and other resources and the availability of such programs in the community. Knowledge of local resources, languages and customs helpful.Abilities: Skill in the operation and maintenance of basic instruments and equipment used in patient care (e.g. items commonly found in a first aid kit). Must be computer literate with skills in the use of basic office software (Microsoft Word). Ability to recognize problems in the area of health, nutrition and/or child safety. Ability to relate well and maintain effective working relationships with staff, children, parents and other agencies. Ability to exercise professional judgment in evaluating before making decisions and maintain all information in strict confidence. Able to work effectively in a team environment.Language Skills

• Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing.
• Ability to speak, read and write English well enough to understand and be understoodby others.

• Ability to write reports and business correspondence.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general health journals and technical procedures.

• Ability to speak before groups of individuals.
• Some Bilingual fluency helpful (English/Spanish or English and other languagespresent in the local area).Mathematical Skills

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts and percentages.

• Ability to produce and interpret graphs, charts, spreadsheets and other mathematicalreports. Reasoning Skills

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions.

• Ability to summarize conclusions and instructions, then make recommendationsand develop implementation strategies.

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality at all times, including the ability to recognizesituations in which confidentiality is required.I. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCEMinimum requirement is an associate's degree in a health or nutrition field or other closelyrelated field or LPN certificate. Experience working in public health or nutrition arenaand working with low-income clients preferred. Experience and training in public health,nursing, health education, maternal and child health or health administration preferred.Experience and knowledge of family-strengths/family-centered practice preferred. If applicable federal, state or local Head Start or child care regulations, now or asamended in the future, contain additional requirements or qualifications for this positionwhich are not specifically stated in this Job Description, the requirements andqualifications will apply, even if not specifically set forth in this Job Description. Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in thelocal area). Within 90 days of employment, must obtain and continually maintainbasic first aid and pediatric CPR certification (or sooner if required by local/stateregulations). Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, a clear criminal recordscheck (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and an initialhealth exam are required post job offer and prior to employment. To drive agencyvehicles (if applicable), must have a valid driver's license and be insurable by theMeriden YMCA insurance carrier and have a Motor Vehicle Record acceptable toMeriden YMCA. Current and former Head Start parents will receive preference foremployment vacancies for which they are qualified.

J. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• May occasionally need to provide gentle physical restraint to children.

• Travel by car, bus, airplane or train may also be required associated with attendanceat conferences, meetings and other duties carried out at distant locations in andout of state and in some cases where some overnight travel may be required.
• May be required to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Some exposure to communicable diseases.
• Noise level in work environment may be moderate to loud.
• Work is generally performed in a classroom setting, kitchen or in an office environment,involving face-to-face communication.
• Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events suchas home visits, parent-teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, social orcommunity events, etc. The requirements of your Job Description are important in providing services to childrenand families, and for keeping you, children and co-workers safe during the work day. Ifyou are unable to perform any of the functions required in your job description due to adisability, you are invited to direct any requests for accommodation to the Program Director.