Job Abstract

The Fairfax County Health Department is a leading public health organization dedicated to serving 1.2 million residents from diverse backgrounds. With a legacy spanning over a century, we are committed to enhancing population health, safeguarding public health and the environment, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services and information. Join us in our mission to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of our community!

Fairfax County Health Department is currently seeking dedicated individuals to join our team as School Health Aides. In this role, you will provide direct school health services within Fairfax County Public Schools, catering to the needs of students from various backgrounds. As a School Health Aide, you will offer essential care to students who are ill or injured, including first aid, emergency care, and the administration of medications or treatments in routine and non-routine situations at the assigned school. Moreover, you will engage in vital administrative tasks, such as maintaining student health records, documenting health room visits, compiling health room statistics, and ensuring the accuracy of information. School Health Aides receive comprehensive training and supervision from our experienced Public Health Nurses.

Key responsibilities:

• Provides care following established guidelines; communicate with parents/guardians and school staff as necessary.
• Administers first aid according to established protocols to students who are ill or injured, within various locations on school grounds.
• Conducts health screenings (vision and hearing) and assists Public Health Nurse in notifying parents/guardians of abnormal screening results and recommended follow-up.
• Maintains clear and accurate documentation of health room visits on a daily basis.
• Organizes and maintains the health room, ensuring it is well-equipped and accessible.
• Compiles and submits health room statistics and reports using computer data entry and information systems.
• Responds promptly to emergencies and administer emergency medications, such as Epinephrine (EpiPen), following health protocols.
• Calls 911 and ensure appropriate care protocols are followed during health emergencies.
• Participates in communicable disease surveillance in schools.
• Attends required training sessions and contribute to community activities related to public health emergency responses.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

• Responds to health emergencies by initiating Emergency Medical System (EMS) and providing emergency care according to protocol;
• Administers medications according to Fairfax County Public Schools guidelines;
• Contacts parents and school personnel as necessary related to students' health needs;
• Monitors daily student absences and illness in the school for community trends;
• Makes referrals to and seeks guidance from supervising public health nurse for students with non-routine health needs;
• Makes referrals to Fairfax County Public School personnel and other community resources to meet student and parent/guardian needs;
• Coordinates the screening procedures of the school health program, e.g. vision and hearing screenings; performs follow up screenings, follows up with parent/guardian, and assists the public health nurse in making referrals for students with hearing/vision deficits;
• Documents care provided according to Fairfax County Public School guidelines;
• Maintains and updates electronic school health records and statistics;
• Organizes and maintains cleanliness of health room and its supplies;
• Provides health information and education to students and parents.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Ability to identify signs of common childhood illnesses;
• Ability to identify a health emergency and activate the emergency response;
• Ability to perform Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED);
• Ability to prioritize care of students, provide care for sick and injured students, and manage the health room in a dynamic environment;
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with students, teachers and parents;
• Ability to effectively document care provided according to record management guidelines;
• Ability to maintain and update electronic student health records and to prepare routine reports;
• Ability to compile clinical statistics;
• Ability to use sound judgment and to work independently within established policies, procedures and guidelines;
• Ability to provide care to students in a variety of locations within the school and school grounds.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Completion of high school plus any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to two years of post-secondary education in a field related to early childhood education or human services; PLUS two years of experience working with children and families. Click here to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to"

CERTIFICATIONS:

• AED-Required within 30 days of hire.
• CPR -Required within 30 days of hire.

• Successful completion of department-sponsored Fairfax County Health Department School Health Aide orientation prior to assignment in a school for continued employment.
• This position is considered essential personnel and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).
• The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, and a Child Protective Services Registry check to the satisfaction of the employer.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.