Early Childhood Nurse

Description

GENERAL OBJECTIVE: To ensure that child services within the Health Component meet requirements of the Federal Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards and state and local laws and regulations; to ensure all enrolled children have a safe and supportive learning environment.

REPORTS TO:  Health Services Manager

SUPERVISES:  Child health assistant position, licensed nursing staff, when applicable

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt; Professional

PAY GRADE: JJ   $2,755.29  bi weekly 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Child Health Services:

· Provide guidance to health services staff related to the review of key child health information per Agency procedure, and advise on appropriate follow-up action:

o Primary Health Information form

o Classroom health concerns/Health concerns

o Health care plans/protocols

o Well child, well baby and dental exams to identify/review concerns

o Emergent health & nutrition concerns/Referrals 

o Special diet needs 

· Identify children with health care concerns and special diet/meal accommodations who are enrolled and develop health protocols in a timely manner in order to facilitate center-based and home-based services. 

· Develop system of temporary illness exclusion in collaboration with Health Services Manager. 

• Collaborate with Health Services Manager to develop and      implement processes for responding to and mitigating spread of      communicable disease. 

· Support Health Services Advocates and non-health team staff complete follow-up on identified health concerns. 

· Act as backup when contracted nursing services are not available for children with health protocols requiring such supports.

Service Coordination/Case Management:

· Consult with enrolled children’s Primary Care Providers (PCP), contracted Registered Dietician (RD), and parents/guardians on child special needs/school accommodations for identified health and nutrition needs.

· Assist health services staff as they obtain and review health information from parent/guardian for children with special health care and special diet needs. 

· Obtain parent authorization for doctor’s orders when required. 

· Develop individual health care plans and health protocols in consultation with parent/guardian and health care provider orders. 

· Complete ChildPlus data entry related to care plans and health protocols, parent/guardian and health care provider communication.  

· Support/consult on post-partum home visits with pregnant participants enrolled in Early Head Start, as needed and requested.

• Collaborate with Education, Disability and Mental Health staff      to ensure high-quality, comprehensive child services are provided;      participate in case management meetings for children with high health      needs/complex cases. 

Training and Monitoring:

· Manage staff completion of general medication administration training, and specialized medication administration.

· Develop and deliver general staff training on health and nutrition-related topics including:

o Medication administration

• Responding to allergic reactions 
• Collaborate with Health Services Manager to develop training       content for short-term illness exclusion, communicable disease       prevention, and health practices/interventions.

· Train staff on individual health protocols and procedures for children with special health needs, including teaching implementation of emergency care plans and nurse delegated tasks.

· In collaboration with the Nutrition Services Manager, train staff on the implementation of special diet accommodations for children with food allergies, feeding issues, and diet-managed health conditions.  

· In collaboration with Operations and Education, ensure completion of quarterly check-ins at centers of child health care plans and medication reviews.

· Monitor implementation of children’s health care plans in the classroom setting, as needed:

o Observations of children with special health needs

o Check-ins with staff trained to implement health care plans.

o Make updates to child health care plans as needed. 

• Provide clinical consultation to health team on complex      immunization situations. 

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

· Serve as back up for health and dental screenings. 

· In collaboration with Health Services Manager, identify opportunities for continuous improvement in the Health Services component, to include implementing component improvement initiatives.

· Actively participate in HMHSAC meetings.

· Collaborate with nursing schools to engage nursing students in clinical practice opportunities connected to child development services activities. 

· Serve on internal agency committees as assigned.

· Perform special projects as needed.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

Program Participation and Team Member:

• Arrive to work on time; punctually attend      and actively participate in all required activities, meetings, and      trainings.
• Be a respectful, cooperative, and reliable      team member and participant in program activities.
• Project a professional work image, both in      dress and manner.

· Be familiar with, and adhere to, Agency core competencies, core values, policies and procedures as well as the Agency’s overarching objectives (Strategic Plan). 

· Follow Agency policy/procedures for reporting and documenting suspected child abuse and/or neglect.

Code of Conduct:

Perform all work in compliance with the Clackamas County Children’s Commission Code of Conduct

Confidentiality:

Respect and maintain confidentiality of information regarding enrolled children and families, personnel issues, and other program operations as appropriate.

Training:

In consultation with supervisor, develop professional work goals and training plan. Participate in training as requested.

Requirements

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor's degree in nursing OR Associate’s degree with   
     pediatric and/or case management experience.
• Active RN license.
• At least three years of experience working with children and      families in a health-related position is preferred.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, information about local      community resources which provide health and nutrition services to vulnerable      populations.
• Knowledge of child development, family health, nutrition, and      essential factors influencing health outcomes.
• Experience working with adults from a diverse population in a      helping or teaching capacity.
• Knowledge of working with children 0-5      years of age is desirable.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to clearly articulate the      program's goals and philosophy, and the role of the Health Services      component.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member      of a team.
• Demonstrate initiative and resourcefulness      in work activities.
• Ability to positively interact with      families of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to possess and maintain a valid      driver’s license and insured vehicle available for use on the job.
• Ability to possess and maintain compliance      with State of Oregon Criminal Background Registry.
• Ability to possess and maintain current      First Aid/CPR certification.

Working Conditions: 

• Office environment; extensive computer use.

· Frequent work with physically active preschoolers, infants and toddlers.

• Moderate sitting, kneeling, bending,      walking, standing.
• Occasional lifting up to 35 pounds.

Disclaimer 

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

Under Oregon statute, after July 1, 1996, an offer of employment for this position is contingent upon the results of criminal offender information record check and, possibly, fingerprinting, conducted on applicants for employment in early childhood services agencies.  Applicants who have been convicted of certain offenses or who refuse to consent to such background checks will not be hired for this position.

Continuation of all positions is contingent upon future funding.