Siouxland District Health Family Support Specialists Bilingual preferred F/T

Summary

Position Summary :Responsible and accountable to provide eligible families the Healthy Families America (Healthy Opportunities for Parents to Experience Success – HOPES) program under the supervision of HOPES Program Manager/Supervisor.  Activities include provision of in-home visits, communication with families, hospital staff, physicians and community agency partners, family education, family assessment, development of family goal plan, assessment of infant and child development, linking families to community services, and collection of family data.

Essential Functions

Essential Duties:

• Provide Healthy Families America/HOPES program information to client families, physicians and community agency partners.
•  Provide in-home visitation services to eligible families.
•  Develop a family goal plan in consultation of the family that meets family identified needs and goals.
•  Provide reproductive health education to include family planning options, community reproductive health services, birth control options, including emergency contraception services.
•  Educate families on a variety of topics such as child development, nutrition, parenting, health and wellness, education, employment, housing, child care options, transportation and community resources.
•  Provide support and anticipatory guidance to families.
•  Advocate for and assist families to reduce barriers to accessing community programs and services.
•  Report cases of suspected abuse or neglect of children and adults to the proper authorities in accordance with SDHD policy and state law.
•  Provide education to individuals, families and community groups that is tailored to their age, developmental status, disability, unique needs, lifestyle, cultural and socio-economic situation.
•  Represent the Nursing Division by serving on Health Department and community agency committees and other groups providing information about public health services and participate in the assessment of community needs to establish or revise public health programs, policies and procedures. Work with community partners to improve/expand services available.
•  Educate clients and families on their rights as related to privacy of their information.
•  Compile required data, complete required division and programmatic documentation, complete reports and assist with completion of programmatic reports.
•  Contribute to a work environment that fosters ongoing educational experiences regarding public health practice for colleagues, other health-related students, healthcare professionals and members of the community.
•  Enter demographic and program-specific data into designated databases or documents.
•  Maintain records and documents according to program requirements.

Agency Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the quality improvement process within the agency.
•  Ensure compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) covering the security and privacy of confidential client data.
•  Ensure participant records and communication with participants, co-workers and other health professionals are in accordance with Confidentiality Policy.
•  Attend and participate in work-related meetings, conferences/seminars and committees.
•  Assist in agency/division planning and response to disaster situations and emergency situations or events in conjunction with agency emergency plan.
•  Provide customer service that is courteous and responsive.
•  Demonstrate professional oral, phone and written communication skills.
•  Model professional behavior to peers and participants.
•  Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Knowledge, Experience, and Ability

Education, Experience and Special Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in a health related, social work or human services field with a minimum of two years' experience in a health, social work or human services setting working with children and families required; 
• Healthy Families America training, CPR Certification and Mandatory Child & Adult Abuse Reporter; Certification required or willing to obtain
• Bilingual skills beneficial;
• Computer skills needed
• Ability to work with diverse populations and to work independently in an unstructured setting with minimal supervision
• Must have valid driver's license, reliable transportation and ability to obtain car insurance at agency-specified liability level

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills and Personal Characteristics:

• Knowledge of Healthy Families America program, including eligibility and screening criteria.
•  Experience working with or providing services to children and families.
•  Knowledge of infant and child growth and developmental milestones.
•  Knowledge of community resources and basic information in health and human services.
•  Knowledge of current professional practice and research findings.
•  Ability to establish trusting relationships with families.
•  Acceptance of individual beliefs, cultures and differences in families.
•  Ability to be open to reflective practice.  (Awareness for introspection, communicates awareness of self in relation to others, and recognizes value to supervision.)

Essential Education, Certification, and/or Licenses

Agency-Specified Knowledge, Abilities, Skills and Personal Characteristics:

• Ability to work in an unstructured setting, be self-directed, independent and work with minimal supervision.
•  Ability to recognize need for adjustment and demonstrate flexibility to meet scheduling and agency needs.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to manage time and handle multiple tasks/responsibilities.
• Ability to work in multiple programs understanding and adhering to rules/regulations and requirements for each respective program.
• Ability to make decisions under potentially stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with participants.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, in order to relate information.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse populations representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests and points of view, including possible language/cultural barriers.
• Ability to coordinate communication and care for non-English speaking participants through use of an interpreter.
• Ability to exercise leadership with tolerance and understanding as well as with appreciation and respect for the special abilities and skills of others.
• Ability to maintain a high level of customer service.
•  Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with co-workers, management, health professionals and personnel from educational institutions, appointed and elected officials, volunteer groups and community agencies.
• Ability to interact effectively in a variety of contexts with staff, professionals, participants and the general public.
• Knowledge of communication mediums, including an understanding of computer functions i.e., Microsoft Office, data base systems, Internet, electronic mail, software programs and social network mediums.
• Ability to operate office equipment, computer, software programs and technology equipment.
• Ability to represent SDHD and perform duties in a professional, responsible and trustworthy manner.
• Ability to project a positive attitude about SDHD.
• Ability to work as part of a team.

A completed County Application form, a resume and a copy of diploma or transcripts are required.    Deadline for receipt of applications shall be:  4:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 4, 2024 or until filled.