Summary

HealthySteps is an evidence-based program that delivers dyadic services to both young children (0-3 years) and their families in a pediatric healthcare setting, which is non-stigmatizing and offers universal access. This access affords opportunities to integrate both mental health and physical well-being for the youngest children at a critical time in brain development. 

The HealthySteps Specialist is a professional with expertise in child development who partners with families during well-child visits as part of the primary care team. The HealthySteps Specialist fulfills a variety of roles: Serving as a liaison between the child and family and the healthcare team, offering screenings and support in areas such as feeding, behavior, sleep, attachment, depression, social determinants of health, and adjusting to the complexities of a newborn child. The HealthySteps Specialist also provides families with parenting/caregiver guidance, support between pediatric visits, referrals, and care coordination, all while ensuring that the child and family’s needs are met.

Experience 

Experience and knowledge about early childhood growth and development, parent-child relational health, infant and early childhood mental health, and family systems

Education

Master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related mental health field required.  

Licenses

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Medical Social Worker, or Licensed Professional counselor is preferred. Willing to consider unlicensed qualified individual who is willing to obtain licensure within 2 years of hire

Essential Functions

A. Preventive and Responsive Care

Promotes HealthySteps within the practice to families and providers. Conducts team-based well-child visits before, during, or following the primary care provider Visits focus on monitoring development, social-emotional functioning, and relational health, and providing anticipatory guidance. Conducts consultations on a short-term basis for needs regarding development and/or behavioral concerns such as sleep, positive parenting, picky eating, etc.  Maintains a child development support line and responds to and tracks call requests within the designated response time (direct office line, eGuthrie messaging). Participates in reflective supervision meetings. May conduct home visits and may accompany families to key medical, specialty, and community agency appointments as needed. May facilitate parent/caregiver groups.

B. Referrals and Community Collaborations 

Creates and maintains community resource directory/database. Provides referrals and tracks follow-up, as appropriate, to help families make successful connections to key resources within the community.  Reaches out to community providers within first 6 months in position to share about HealthySteps, their role, and receive information to support referrals, warm handoffs, and ensure appropriate referral criteria is met.  Participates (when appropriate) in community-wide early childhood and/or mental health meetings.

C. Team-Based Care

Is an active member of the HS Implementation Team and attends regular team meetings. Works with the front office administrative staff to ensure scheduling of the HS Specialist’s time in coordination with provider visits (i.e., well-child visits) Engages in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives to ensure the HealthySteps model is delivered with fidelity. Collaborates with HealthySteps implementation team to implement all eight Core Components including universal screenings, making positive parenting and early learning guidance information available, and adjusting workflows for optimal efficiency. Maintains open communication with all members of the primary care team. Works closely with pediatric primary providers around care coordination, goalsetting, coaching, and education about key aspects of a child’s development Provides consultation and/or facilitates training to medical professionals and all practice staff re: early childhood development, early relational health/infant early childhood mental health, and trauma-informed practices.

D. Caseload Tracking, Record Keeping, and Reporting 

Maintains extensive databases required to meet HealthySteps fidelity metrics including both internal and external referrals. Collaborates with HealthySteps Implementation Team to complete required annual site reporting to the HealthySteps National Office at ZERO TO THREE, which may include analysis of both external database files and EHR data reports. Documents all patient clinical activity and care coordination in EHR. Tracks caseload to ensure capacity to deliver the HS services within the risk stratified service delivery model. This includes ensuring exit criteria is met and that families and children are elevated to higher levels of care or referred to community providers if needed.

E. Professional Development Activities 

Participates in HealthySteps training (Virtual HealthySteps Institute) Participates in administrative and clinical/reflective supervision meetings.

Other Duties

It is understood that this description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and that other duties may be assigned as necessary in the performance of this position. Encouraged to participate in community activities. Travel is required for this position.

Pay range min $28.89/hr max $45.78/hr