Position Description – Sample
Position Title
Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC)
Description/Summary of the Position
The Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC) is a health professional with education and experience in both child and community health and early care and education. A CCHC works with early care and education programs to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate strategies to achieve high quality, safe and healthy child care environments.
The CCHC:
- Works collaboratively with child care facilities
- Guides early care and education programs to achieve best practice standards
- Offers training and technical assistance based on identified needs and in support of a facility’s quality improvement planning
- Provides health and safety guidance to improve health knowledge and skill development of early educators
- Acts as a liaison to local health professionals and community service agencies by offering health education, community information, and referral resources to facilities and families
- Advocates for young children by actively serving on and coordinating with local and regional committees that support healthy growth and development of children
- Establishes and maintains on-going working relationships with other professionals offering technical assistance in early care and education settings
- Works closely with assigned CCHC Coach for guidance and pursue professional development opportunities
- Maintains active Child Care Health COnsutlation status by meeting the requirements in the CCHC Standards of Practice
Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
The CCHC should have knowledge of pediatric and community health, health education, and early care and education. It is essential that the individual is self-motivated and able to work in an independent role.
The CCHC should also have:
- Experience and knowledge of child health, development, and special health care needs.
- Experience providing group training and knowledge of adult learning strategies.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Completed or be willing to complete the NC Child Care Health Consultant Course.
- Ability to use or learn new technologies for assessment and training.
- Knowledge and skills related to public health theory, practices, principles, and techniques.
Education Requirements
A CCHC applicant must be one of the following:
- A licensed health care professional:
- This includes a registered nurse, physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or similar with an active license that is unencumbered in the state where CCHC services are provided.
- A health educator with either a minimum of:
- A bachelors degree from a four-year college or university with a major in health education or related field such as community health or health promotion. Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) designation preferred.
- A bachelors degree from a four-year college or university and at least three years experience working in public health education. Experience must include working primarily as a public health educator within the last five years.
Required Training
The health professional is required to successfully complete the NC Child Care Health Consultant Course. The 12-week course is facilitated by the NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center and includes virtual learning, a two-day in-person training in the Raleigh area, and a final project.
Work Schedule
- Typically, CCHCs work a Monday-Friday, 8 hour/day schedule.
- Occasional work on weekends and evenings is required to provide training.
- Extensive county or regional travel is required.
Duties and Responsibilities
60% – Assessment, Consultation, and Technical Assistance
- Work collaboratively with child care programs to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate strategies to achieve high quality, safe child care environments.
- Guide child care programs to achieve best practice standards by providing targeted and comprehensive consultation and support quality improvement planning.
- Provide consultation and training for facilities to complete medical action plans for children with special health care needs, health and safety policies, and other health and safety documentation as needed by the facility.
20% – Training
- Provide health and safety training to improve health knowledge and skill development of facility staff that may include (but not limited to) ITS-SIDS, Emergency Preparedness and Response, and Medication Administration.
10% – Community Outreach
- Establish and maintain on-going working relationships with other professionals offering technical assistance to early care and education settings.
- Work closely with the local health department(s), Smart Start Partnership, child care (licensing) consultants, and other local individuals or organizations that serve children in child care.
- Attend directors’ meetings and sit on local committees that advocate for health and safety in child care.
5% – Data Management and Reporting
- Responsible for data collection and reporting using the NC Health and Safety Assessment and Encounter Tool.
5% – Professional Development
- Engage in professional development activities to improve and maintain competency.
- Attend NC Resource Center and NC CCHC Association professional development opportunities.
Reviewed February 2024