Greenbush - Russell Child Development Center is seeking applications for a Healthy Steps Specialist in Dodge City, KS. 

Anticipated start date: April 15, 2019. Position will remain open until filled. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Purpose Statement:  The job of Healthy Steps Specialist was established for the purpose/s of providing and enhancing evidence-based supports and services available to young children, their parents and other caregivers by addressing behavioral and developmental issues; safe environments and secure attachments; and positive adult-child interactions. 

Essential Functions: 

• Assists with the implementation of Healthy Steps focusing on a whole baby, whole family model blending developmentally appropriate early childhood practices with primary health care by engaging physical and mental health care clinicians in a team approach
• Participates in joint or sequential well child health care visits and family health checkups in order to assist in communication of the child and family’s needs and to facilitate follow-through of health care providers’ recommendations
• Carries out planned home visits providing information and consultation support related to child development, including developmental screenings
• Assists parents and caregivers both individually and in group settings, in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance their child’s development in the areas of social interaction, attachment, self-regulation, positive behaviors, and activities of daily living
• Provides Healthy Steps program materials for parents in a variety of formats that emphasize prevention and health promotion
• Facilitates parent groups offering social support and interactive learning
• Provides information and consultative support both prenatally and post-natally for the purposes of preventing accidents/injuries/health crises; decreasing/eliminating high-risk parent and caregiver behaviors; enhancing parent/caregiver life skills; improving competence of pregnant and parenting young mothers; building parenting skills; and enhancing quality of the home environment
• Administers screeners to child and caregiver with respect to mental and emotional well-being (ASQ, ASQ/SE, Maternal Depression Screening, and other grant- or program-required common measures) and makes information about appropriate community programs available to participating families
• Models and provides one-on-one coaching support to teach positive strategies for the purpose of assisting parents/caregivers in effectively raising their children and providing safe and effective environments
• Provides linkages to community resources
• Monitors progress and adjusts approaches indicating evidence of planning and progress toward child and family outcomes
• Achieves accreditation in all applicable levels of Triple P Positive Parenting Program and implements the model as appropriate
• Engages in prevention and promotion activities designed to increase community and caregiver knowledge about the impact of early childhood experiences as well as services and supports available with the community
• Collaborates with a variety of groups and/or individuals (e.g. parents, caregivers, physicians, administration, team members, partner programs, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, resolving issues, and providing services in conformance with established guidelines
• Facilitates the development and maintenance of positive relationships among children, caregivers, service providers and others (e.g. parenting skills, community resources, support programs, etc.) for the purpose of assisting parents and caregivers in maintaining positive environments, building trust, and supporting each child’s growth and development
• Develops plans and materials for the purpose of increasing children’s development in all domains
• Participates in partner program team meetings when appropriate for the purposes of generating options for the implementation of evidence-based approaches, supporting colleagues, and problem solving
• Generates reports for the purpose of providing information
• Maintains a variety of manual and electronic documents, files, and records within required timelines for the purpose of ensuring the availability of information as required for reference and/or compliance
• Participates in a variety of trainings, meetings, conferences, etc. for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information relating to job functions 
• Prepares a wide variety of manual and electronic materials for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference and/or conveying information
• Researches resources and methods, participates in continuous improvement professional development activities, and supports new approaches adopted by the agency (e.g. techniques, service delivery approaches, tools and methods, community resources and involvement, etc.) for the purpose of determining and providing appropriate and effective services for addressing family-identified functional outcomes. 
• Responds to inquiries (e.g. parents, caregivers, staff, physicians, partner programs, etc.) for the purpose of facilitating communication among stakeholders
• Supports agency public awareness activities through agency contacts, distribution of materials, making presentations, writing articles, attending events, hosting visitors and attending meetings as needed 
• Transports supplies and equipment to a variety of sites for the purpose of ensuring the availability of items as needed
• Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit

Job Requirements—Minimum Qualifications:

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.  Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: utilizing appropriate assessment instruments and techniques; operating standard office equipment including pertinent computer software; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and occasionally working extended or nonstandard hours. 

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions.  Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:  age-appropriate interventions and activities; stages of child development; medical diagnoses; current interventions and approaches; pertinent codes, policies, regulations; and/or laws; concepts of grammar and punctuation; health standards and hazards; and safety practices and procedures.

ABILITY is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and consider a number of factors when using equipment.  Flexibility is required to work independently with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using a variety of standardized methods.  Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment.  Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create actions plans.  Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is moderate.  Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:  adapting to changing work priorities; developing and maintaining effective working relationships; communicating with diverse groups; working as part of a team; working with detailed information/data; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; and translating information into meaningful learning activities.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include:  working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding and/or collaborating with others; and operating within a defined budget.  Utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job’s functions.  There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services. 

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands:  significant lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity.  Generally the job requires 55% sitting, 25% walking, and 20% standing.  The job is performed under moderate temperature variations and under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness. 

Excellent benefit package:  Supporting employees and their families is important to Greenbush. We provide access to exceptional Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance options for all employees who work 20 hours or more a week. Additionally, Greenbush participates in the Kansas Public Retirement System (KPERS) and provides excellent 403B plan options. Greenbush contributes to each and every employees retirement plan by matching up to $75 a month for any Greenbush employee that contributes to one of the 403B plans. Employees also can participate in flex spending accounts and salary protection programs. All employees are provided with sick days, personal leave, and holidays subject to the length of their contract. Equal Opportunity Employer

In addition to the benefit package, Greenbush recognizes the importance of continued education throughout an employee’s career and offers the Greenbush Education Reimbursement Plan to support employees in their education endeavors. The plan provides an opportunity for any Greenbush employee working at least 1,004 hours per year to be reimbursed up to $1200 per contract year for tuition costs. Employees of Greenbush meeting the hour requirement can apply to participate in the program by completing the Tuition Reimbursement Application Form. In addition, Greenbush offers a Professional License Reimbursement Program, which provides full reimbursement for professional licenses with specific Kansas licensing authorities and other appropriate authorities (a complete list can be provided upon request).

For complete benefit package information, direct your questions to the individual listed under the Job Contact Information section.