Job Summary

The Nurse/Health Educator, Specialized Preventive Services, monitors each child's health, medical treatment, and follow-up; provides support, counseling, and training to parents or caregivers in the health and medical needs of children; coordinates internal services with outside medical agencies; makes routine and emergency home visits; obtains updated reports/information from service providers, maintains and updates all required files and records.

 

Job Responsibilities

Conducts, in concert with social work/casework staff, intake assessments of clients and obtains full data on medical history of children and family; initiates medical case planning, and maintains service plan updates.  Per supervisory direction and in concert with social work staff, monitors the well-being and quality of care of each child; assesses safety and risk; keeps parents or caregivers advised of child's condition and educates them regarding needed care. Visits any child who is hospitalized/speaks with medical personnel regarding status/treatment.  Counsels and educates parents about their own and their children's health needs. Provides preventive health counseling to parents, stressing areas of immunization, regular medical exams, nutrition, sleep needs, proper clothing, exercise and rest. Discusses medication issues, disclosure and issues surrounding death and dying.  Provides to parents anticipatory guidance regarding normal developmental milestones; gives instructions on the importance of medical attention/clinical follow up should symptoms of illness or delays occur. Arranges and accompanies child and parent to initial medical appointments and, as needed, especially regarding medical specialists. Follows up to ensure medical appointments are kept and the medical regimen is followed; obtains specialist reports at least quarterly. Counsels adolescent children in sex education and family planning; reviews current literature on the topic and makes useful books or periodicals available to social work staff. Plans and carries out formal and informal training for parents and other caretakers to instruct them in appropriate health practices and medication administration.  Makes regular home visits to observe health practices, status of children, and give support and training to parents and caregivers. Provides a physical assessment of children should this be necessary in the absence of a physician. Works with families to organize their medical files/keep up to date health information regarding each family member. Obtains regular medical reports regarding ail children in the home and immunization records. Participates in staff meetings and training, and attends workshops or seminars on health issue.  Ensures full compliance in program and records with internal and external requirements and regulations and completes timely progress notes and entries into CNNX and PROMIS. Facilitates community provider linkages and attends community meetings, fairs, etc. Continuously assesses training needs of care takers and staff and assists in providing training. Follows ail Blood borne Pathogen control standards as a Category 1 staff member. Responds to client emergencies within or outside of regular working hours. Provides other additional services as program needs arise.