Health And Nutrition Aide

SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the School Nurse, the Health and Nutrition Aide is responsible for assisting to maintain up-to-date health records of children enrolled in the ChildrenÂ’s Services program, as well as serve as assisting the kitchen prepare meals for consumption in a sanitary and efficient manner following the regulations set by the Head Start standards, the Department of Health and licensing regulations. The individual will be responsible for assisting in the ordering, receiving and storage of food deliveries as well as health supplies and equipment.

Additionally, the Health and Nutrition Aide is responsible for the operation of the food service program at the site. The Health and Nutrition Aide implements the cycle menu, prepares food, and distributes to classrooms, completes Child and Adult Care Food Program paperwork and supports center staff with nutrition activities in the classrooms.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Nutrition

• Assist with ordering and maintaining food and equipment stock.
• Assist in preparing weekly menus for all programs, which meet or exceed licensing and Child Care Food Program standard, according to a 5-week meal rotation.
• Ensure the sanitation of all food preparation, storage, always serving and kitchen cleaning equipment and areas as per sanitation and Department of Health regulations.
• Ensures stock is stored in sanitary, orderly, and accessible manner.
• Ensures that all food preparation equipment is in good working order and accessible.
• Works closely with other Food Service Staff.
• With support of the Dietician, implements the cycle menu in accordance with policies, procedures, and established practices; Includes adherence Head Start Performance Standards, and the guidelines established by the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
• Supports Kitchen Coordinator in preparing food needed for meals and snacks served on site and for field trips for center-based programs and home-based socializations.
• Meets the “time of day meal service” guidelines required by the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
• Joins the children and other staff at the table during mealtimes whenever possible.
• Cleans and maintains kitchen, food service utensils, equipment, and food storage areas to standards mandated by the Chicago Health Department and best practices with regards to food safety and sanitation.
• Inventories, tracks, and orders Health/Nutrition supplies
• Assists with purchases and provides set up of foods for nutrition curriculum and childrenÂ’s cooking projects in the classroom.
• Maintains all required Child and Adult Care Food Program paperwork. Paperwork includes menu production records, monthly adjustment sheets, food transport records, inventories, cycle menus, attendance sheets and food purchase receipts. Compiles monthly reports accurately. Turns in all monthly Child and Adult Care Food Program documentation on time.
• Participates in team meetings, nutrition-related activities, required in-services, and all Food Aide events and trainings.
• Posts and maintains all required Child and Adult Care Food public notices.
• Refers child nutrition concerns to the Site Director.

Health and Safety

• Follows procedures as required by licensing and funding agencies (including but not limited to Illinois DCFS Licensing Standards, City of Chicago Health Requirements for Day Care Centers, Head Start Performance Standards, Chicago Public School requirements, Carole Robertson Center for Learning Policies and Procedures and quality standards as defined by National Association for the Education of Young Children)
• Support nurse with internship requirements of incoming interns
• Completes playground safety checklist each morning.
• Completes classroom safety checklist monthly.
• Completes program safety checklist monthly.
• Ensures program Environment Health and Safety Binder is up to date.
• Ensures clients, staff and other visitors sign in and out of the building appropriately and in accordance with current COVID protocols and keeps sign out sheets updated; issues visitor passes to clients and visitors as appropriate.
• Inventories, tracks, and orders PPE supplies.
• Supports Program Nurse with ChildPlus (and other funder) data entry and follow-up calls, faxing documents, and filing daily health check forms.
• Supports with client and visitor health screening check-in process, including ensuring all health screening materials and forms are fully stocked.
• Supports in classroom as needed to maintain appropriate ratios.
• Enters data into the Tree, ChildPlus and COPA/Salesforce.
• Completes end-of-month reports per funder and submits to Nurse.
• Coordinates and monitors facility fire and disaster drills monthly.

Service Operations

• Participates in ChildrenÂ’s Place quality assurance initiatives as needed and appropriate to improve service quality and ensure compliance with licensing, accreditation, and contractual standards.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary to meet new funding requirements or as assigned by the Program Manager.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

EDUCATION, SKILLS, and/or EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent education required.
• A minimum of 3 years of administrative experience required.
• Current or former parent/guardian of a child receiving Head Start / Early Head Start services.
• Completion of Food and Sanitation Certification course may be required.
• Knowledge of appropriate software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Spanish fluency is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance.