Child and Family Educator (Healthcare)
Equal Opportunity Employer
The mission of the Health Federation of Philadelphia is to promote health equity for marginalized communities by advancing access to high-quality, integrated, and comprehensive health and human services. Health equity is at the heart of all our work. We believe in and are firmly committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status. This commitment applies to all aspects of the Health Federation of Philadelphia's employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion.
JOB SUMMARY
Conducts weekly home visits to assigned pregnant women, children and their families to provide health, nutrition and child development education in an effort to prepare children for school. The Child/Family Advocate is a member of an interdisciplinary team consisting of a social worker, family involvement specialist, registered nurse, and health and nutrition coordinator.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Responsibilities/Duties
- Conducts weekly home visits to implement an individualized curriculum to prepare enrolled children birth to three for school and to prepare prenatal women for delivery.
- Document/track all communication with parent regarding home visit and services provided
- Completes and submits required documentation in timely manner
- Participates in all appropriate training and meetings
- Encourages parents to attend parent meetings and assists with transportation when necessary
- Integrates health services during home visits and collaborate with health services staff in tracking the health status of children
- Maintains and periodically updates family information throughout the program year
- Provides guidance and assistance in the planning and participation in twice monthly parent/child group socializations
- Provides initial and ongoing assessment of children with appropriate assessment tools
- Plans one nutrition activity per month during a home visit/group socialization in collaboration with the health and nutrition coordinator
- Maintains confidentiality of workplace information according to the policies and procedures of HFP and Early Head Start
- Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor
Education
- Child Development Associate (CDA) credential for Infant and Toddler Caregivers or an equivalent credential that addresses compatible competencies
- Associate Degree or higher in child development, early childhood education or social services related field
Skills/Experience
- Experience providing direct service to low income families with multiple biopsychosocial risks
- Experience working with infants and toddlers as well as teens and young adults
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work alone and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Mature personality including: adaptability/flexibility, non-judgmental, resourceful, energetic, dependable, friendly and confident
- Familiarity with community resources and skills to link families with appropriate services, in collaboration with social worker
- Knowledge and experience in child development and early childhood education
Work Environment: Standard office setting with extended periods at work station and periodic use of office equipment.
Position Type and Work Schedule: Full time position, typical hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Flex office schedule options available with supervisor approval.
Travel: Local travel to families' homes, multiple sites and community meetings, occasionally
Physical Demands: Work is performed within an urban environment. Exposure to “common” childhood illness, such as colds or flu. Physical demands include some physical activity that includes sitting, prolonged standing and/or walking, handling moderate weight objects (up to 30 lbs).
Salary and Benefits: Our employees are our most valuable resource, so we offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, which can include:
- Medical with vision benefits
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Life, AD&D and long term care insurance
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- 403(b) Retirement Plan, with a company contribution
- Paid time off including vacation, sick, personal and holiday
- Employee Assistance Program
Eligibility and participation is handled consistent with the plan documents and HFP policy.
DISCLAIMER
The Health Federation reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the Company desires. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee assigned to this position. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, responsibilities and/or skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied, or otherwise. The employment relationship remains “at will.” The aforementioned job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals.
