Healthy Specialist

Job Description - Healthy Steps Specialist )

Job Description

Healthy Steps Specialist - (  )

Description

Healthy Steps Specialist (HSS) is responsible for the care of parents and children, ages 0-3, in a primary care setting, as part of a maternal mental health and early childhood program called Healthy Steps. In the pediatric primary care setting, the HSS will administer developmental and mental health screening tools and provide support and anticipatory guidance for common concerns for parents of children ages 0-3, including feeding, behavior, sleep, depression, and adapting to life with a baby or young child.

The HSS will also conduct brief interventions for parents/caregivers, as clinically appropriate, such on-site therapy sessions, for parents/caregivers with a positive depression screen or cases where the parent and/or the pediatric provider articulate a concern around mental health and parenting stress to the pediatric primary care team. The HSS will also participate in research, educational and advocacy initiatives related to Healthy Steps.

Minimum Education

Master's Degree Social Work, Clinical Counseling, or other related field (Required)

Minimum Work Experience

3 years experience working children and families in Early Childhood Development/Mental Health and/or Maternal Mental Health and Wellness (Preferred)

Required Skills/Knowledge

Formulates diagnoses for patients with acute or chronic mental health disorders. Diagnostically interprets data obtained from psychological test results, social histories, and interviews. Provides risk assessments for dangerousness to self and others.

Ability to function independently in evaluating patient problems and developing a plan for patient care.

Ability to incorporate ethical concepts into patient care and discuss these with the patient, family, and other members of the health care team.

Ability to maintain quality and safety standards.

Demonstrates a personal commitment to Continuing Education and remains current on the developments and progress in applicable field (clinical psychology, clinical social work or mental health service provision) and more specifically, in the field of maternal mental health and early childhood mental health and development.

Demonstrates knowledge of and complies with legal and ethical standards for the delivery of mental health service provision.

Required Licenses and Certifications

• Psychologist Licensed in Washington, DC Upon Hire (Required)
• Ind. Clinical Social Worker Licensed in Washington, DC Upon Hire (Required)
• Licensed Professional Counselor licensed in Washington, DC Upon Hire (Required)

Functional Accountabilities

• Provide clinical services for patients at Children’s National Hospital and other approved sites in an ethical, professional and timely manner.
• Actively participate in family centered care and communicate in a professional and compassionate manner; refer patients to specialists and to relevant ancillary services as appropriate.
• Appropriately utilize the defined chain of command and escalation policies.
• Respond to team members and outside providers in a timely and respectful manner; communicate clearly to trainees expectations regarding patient updates and notifications of significant clinical changes, and encourage questions from trainees.

• Participate in CNMC’s advocacy initiatives.
• Contribute scholarly effort to the advancement of public policy to promote population-based pediatric health
• Teach patients and families about treatment, prevention, and care enhancement techniques.
• Participate in specific health promotion, education and/or prevention programs.

• Research and other scholarly activities are encouraged strongly. There are many opportunities for collaborative research in the Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN) and Children’s Advocacy Institute (CHAI).
• Participation in reviewing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and in publishing in scientific journals is encouraged.
• Participation in research committees, workshops, and special interest groups is encouraged.

• Participate in CNMC's medical education programs through learning activities with…