Job Description

SUMMARY OF PRIMARY FUNCTION

The Health Services Specialist assists the Health Services Manager in planning and implementing health services and systems by providing information regarding local community needs and resources throughout a multi-county area and providing training and technical assistance to local staff. The Health Services Specialist also provides direct supervision of nursing practice at service locations consistent with state law and provides and arranges health services during and after site operations. Helps recruit potential parents by providing information to them about the various program services and benefits offered to enrolled children and families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Systems and Services

1. Collaborates under the leadership of the Health Services Manager in developing effective health services for Head Start children.
2. Contributes to developing effective systems for service delivery, documentation, training, monitoring, and reporting.
3. Utilizing internal Health Services system, collects, enters, and monitors necessary data in ChildPlus system, ensuring data is current, complete, and accurate.
4. Represents the needs and resources of local communities and service locations.
5. Participates in other program workgroups as assigned.

Community Assessment and Relations

1. Assists in assessing the characteristics, needs and resources of local communities.
2. Supports Program Manager in the exchange of information with and in making presentations to community employers, organizations and groups to promote understanding of the Head Start program and advocates for clients in order to meet their needs.
3. Supports the Program Managers in developing and documenting partnerships with service agencies and other Head Start grantees to enhance services during and after the operation of local service locations in the health and nutrition areas.
4. Develops written agreements with county public health agencies, and other community health providers to effectively deliver Head Start services.
5. Assists the Program Manager in improving program design at existing locations and establishes new locations and service models that best meet the needs of eligible populations.
6. Supports service locations in their knowledge of and interaction with community resources.
7. Compiles information on appropriate state and community resources for families.
8. Reviews center documentation to determine what medical, dental and special needs services remain to be completed for Head Start children. Reviews Migrant Education special needs files for needed follow through services.
9. Writes instructions for completing services in each individual case.
10. Contacts families in MN/ND and arranges for needed services.

Training and Technical Assistance, Under the Guidance of the Health Services Manager

1. Develops and implements training detailing health services and systems, manuals regarding safety and sanitation and materials regarding health policies, blood borne pathogens and other topics as needed.
2. Plans and provides orientation and training based on identified needs and requests to make it possible for staff to complete their responsibilities.
3. Provides technical assistance through regular visits to service locations to assure compliance with federal, state and program requirements and goals and responds to the needs of each child and his/her family in a timely, respectful and supportive manner.
4. Provides individual feedback, modeling and coaching to facilitate effective performance.
5. Responds to identified short-term and long-term staff training needs including recommendations for professional development to improve qualifications and performance.
6. Plans and provides training to parents and staff as required and requested.
7. Assures that staff recognizes the primary role of the parent in health and development of their child.
8. Assists or provides CPR and First Aid training or parents and staff.

Implementation and Coordination

1. Facilitates collaboration with local dental providers, clinics and other agencies. Develops contract agreements to enhance dental and health services provided to Head Start and Migrant Education children during and after center operations.
2. Arranges dates and coordinates Head Start and Migrant Education health screenings.
3. Assists in developing and managing budgets for Head Start and Migrant Education health services including authorization of payment to providers.
4. Collaborates with the Center Director to recruit and hire Registered and Licensed Practical Nurses as the Area Nurse and to supervise their nursing practices as determined by the Health Services Manager.
5. Recruits, hires and supervises other health screeners as determined by the Health Services Manager.
6. Orders and distributes health resources, supplies and forms to service locations in order to provide and document services.
7. Assists service locations in determining needs and ordering materials and equipment.
8. Serves as a resource to service locations to advocate, mediate, facilitate problem-solving and exercise professional judgment as needed.
9. Assists in coordination between service areas and with cooperating agencies.
10. Advocates for the well-being of children and their families and the involvement of parents.
11. Serves as a Child and Teen Checkup State Certified Screener.

Monitoring and Evaluation

1. Collects data and compiles performance reports for Head Start and Migrant Education.
2. Participates in the evaluation and self-assessment process as needed or requested at local service locations.
3. Serves as Health Consultant to licensed sites and sites serving infants; conducts monthly reviews.
4. Compiles and submits to the state health agency the annual child care immunization report for each licensed center.
5. Provides reports to the Health Services Manager as required or requested.

Center Services

1. Conducts age appropriate health screenings; ensures follow-up of abnormal screenings and treatment as required.
2. Enters information into computer health data systems.
3. Communicates with parents concerning any health concerns.
4. Attends family progress and planning meetings.
5. Conducts monthly center safety/sanitation inspections.

Dental Care

1. Coordinates planning and evaluations to facilitate progress towards dental services in order to support the needs of children and families.
2. Assists in assessing needs and resources for children with dental concerns.
3. Provides training materials on baby bottle month, dental prevention and decay.
4. Provides evaluation of site dental services; ongoing and at the end of site program operation.
5. Researches funding opportunities to enhance dental services to low income and minority populations.

Food Service

1. Provides support to Title One and Head Start centers for food service licensing.
2. Visits centers for pre-service, week one and week four food service monitor review.
3. Submits review documentation to Food & Nutrition Specialist for follow-up.

Supervisor and Leadership

1. Ensures quality services are provided by their staff; provides comprehensive training on duties, responsibilities and expectations of the position; offering continued support, guidance and resources as needed to be successful.
2. Monitors staff performance, providing positive and negative feedback in a timely manner. Conducts annual performance appraisals, supports staff in defining and meeting goals and professional development needs.
3. Addresses performance concerns in a timely manner, holding staff accountable for their actions. Offers constructive feedback, clear expectations, and necessary support to promote a positive outcome. Seeks assistance from management and the Human Resources Director as needed to ensure staff are given sufficient support in meeting the expectations of their position.
4. Communicates and enforces the expectation of a professional and positive work environment, treating everyone with respect.
5. Leading by example, energizes and encourages staff to commit to excellence; empowering them to succeed, making each day a positive experience for themselves and others.
6. Provides solid, unified, positive leadership for staff in times of challenge or change; displaying support and confidence, adapting priorities and focus as needed.
7. Effectively plans short and long term goals for success; personally and for the work group.
8. Effectively manages multiple projects, commitments, and the work produced by staff; ensuring deadlines are met and quality of work meets expectations.
9. Ensures a safe, positive and productive work environment is provided to staff.

Safety

1. Have or obtain within 90 days of hire a First Aid and CPR Certification as well as maintain the certification during employment.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

1. Current Registered Nurse license in the state where services are provided.
2. Proof of current Professional Liability Insurance with a minimum of $3,000,000 aggregate; upon hire and to maintain current thereafter.
3. One year experience in community health and/or child health nursing.
4. One year paid or unpaid experience in staff supervision or consultation.
5. One year experience relating with people of different cultures and situations.
6. Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
7. One year experience facilitating adult learning with professional and non-professional staff and clients.
8. One year experience facilitating problem-solving, making professional judgments and adapting to a variety of situations.
9. Proof of valid driver’s license and current/adequate vehicle insurance coverage.
10. Comfortable level of operating knowledge to use standard office equipment, such as computers, copiers, scanners, and telephone systems on a daily basis.
11. Two years of experience and comfortable working with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, and the internet on a daily basis.

Tri-Valley is a non-profit community action agency. We believe in the value of all human beings. It is that belief that drives our efforts to identify needs, seek resources and provide opportunities for people to thrive.

Our work is committed to strengthening our communities so that its citizens have better places to live, work, worship and enjoy.

The mission of Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is to provide opportunities to improve the quality of life for people and communities.

If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources at 218-281-0536 or hr@tvoc.org.

Application Deadline: 2 weeks - Until 11/27/2026

Employee Type: Reg. Full-time 12-Month

Hours per Week: 40

Shift Schedule: M-F 8:00am - 4:30pm

Service Area Coverage: Will be supporting Elysian, Owatonna, and Elgin, MN.

Benefits: 401K/Roth, PTO Accrual, Paid Holidays, ESST, and Employer Paid Life/LTD, Optional benefits such as Health, Dental, Vision, HSA, FSA, Aflac/Colonial Life and Short-Term Disability

If any questions about the position, please contact: Cynthia Boudreaux, CINDYB@TVOC.ORG