INTRODUCTION

Under the supervision of the Clinical Manager - HealthySteps Program and Director of Behavioral Health, the Early Childhood Development Clinician is responsible for the clinical and administrative tasks required to deliver quality, safe and culturally attuned behavioral health services that are integrated into the primary care setting. HealthySteps is a national model that emphasizes a close relationship between health care professionals and parents to address the physical, emotional, and intellectual growth and development of children ages birth to three. the Early Childhood Development Clinician, a child development expert, joins the pediatric primary care team to ensure universal screening, provide successful interventions, referrals, and follow-up to the entire family. The Early Childhood Development Clinician provides caregiver support to facilitate the development of attachment, self-regulation skills, and family resiliency. In collaboration with pediatric primary care providers, HealthySteps strategies will be integrated into well child visits with the aim of supporting infants, toddlers and their caregivers who have been identified as having significant health, behavioral and developmental needs.

MAJOR DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Supports the health center and organization in contributing to the quadruple aim: improving health outcomes, improving patient experience, supporting care team well-being and the financial sustainability of the organization.

Health Outcomes

• Performs patient care and Early Childhood Development Clinician duties in a safe way that is compliant with policies and procedures of Unity Health Care. This includes:
  1. Taking clinical histories, conducting psychosocial and diagnostic evaluations as appropriate
  2. Developing appropriate treatment plan and delivering behavioral health interventions appropriate for the diagnosis and setting
  3. Preventive health maintenance and education
  4. Referrals and consultation to hospitals, specialists, child care/school staff, or other providers when needed
  5. Promote coordination of care among service providers
  6. Facilitate parents'/caregivers' groups.
• Closely tracks progress that look at both child development and family factors
• Maintains databases required to meet HealthySteps fidelity metrics
• Participates when appropriate in community-wide early childhood forums and trainings.
• Actively participates in quality improvement initiatives at Unity health centers and seeks to continuously improve the quality of care for their patients
• Conducts thorough peer reviews and provides constructive feedback to peers
• Documents patients' medical charts in an appropriate and timely manner
• Reviews and implements clinical best practices
• Collaborates with BH leadership and staff on panel and population management
• Optimizes CME time to stay up to date on certification and licensing requirements
• Maintains clinical privileges and responds to inquiries in a timely and complete manner
• Updates patient registries as needed to maintain population health

Patient Experience

• Reviews patient experience data with Clinical Manager and BH Director and translates into action steps to ensure a welcoming, patient-centered environment for all patients
• Communicates to patients respectfully and partners with them in their care by spending time actively listening and clearly explaining their recommendations
• Provides culturally competent and high-quality care
• Uses translation services when needed
• Timely in all patient facing duties- visits, returning phone calls
• Responds to patient complaints and works towards resolution for the patient
• Provides excellent customer service and professionalism towards patients
• Maintains a clinical schedule that allows access for patients, including providing sufficient notice for time off, and providing options for patients to be seen when rescheduled on short notice
• Works with Health Center staff to ensure continuity and thoroughness of care
• Promptness to work

Care Team Wellbeing

• Responsible for the implementation and integration of HealthySteps strategies into primary care and well child visits
• Conducts team-based well child visits with infants, toddlers and their caregivers alongside physicians, pediatric nurse practitioners and other primary care clinic staff
• Provides consultation to medical professionals and primary care clinic staff on early childhood development, infant mental health, and trauma informed practice
• Works closely with primary/pediatric providers around care coordination, goal setting, counseling, coaching and education about key aspects of a child's development
• Collaborates with HS team to implement all core components of the HealthySteps model including universal child developmental screening in order to make positive parenting and early learning guidance information readily available to providers
• Collaborates with HS team to complete annual site reporting to the National Office, which may include analysis of both external database files and EMR data reports
• Embraces team mentality, including building trust, exchanging feedback, and showing appreciation of team members.
• Leads by example and works closely with others to provide comprehensive, team-based care
• Provides recognition to providers and team members who are performing well
• Teaches and coaches staff members to perform at the top of their ability
• Participates in student and resident teaching, including with partnering hospitals and facilities
• Attends and actively engages at team, center and organization-wide meetings
• Demonstrates flexibility and agility in working with others to meet the needs of patients
• Maintains work-life balance and recognizes when they may be experiencing burnout and takes steps to improve it

Financial Health

• Monitors own productivity and utilization levels and works with behavioral health and health center leadership to identify opportunities to optimize visit volume
• Is willing to see patients if needed (e.g., late patients, walk-in patients) as the schedule and time allows
• Educates patients on the value of a health care visits
• Leverages nursing visits and other staff where appropriate
• Participate in population health efforts
• Works collaboratively with Behavioral Health and Medical Directors to schedule patients to promote access
• Creatively identifies ways to improve daily workflow and efficiencies
• Locks notes in a timely manner (within 48 hours) as well as resolves and addresses any outstanding claims

Other Duties

• Serves on committee(s) as requested by BH Director or CMO (e.g. P&T, Infection Prevention etc.).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree and current DC License or license-eligible (LICSW, LGSW, LPC, LGPC, PhD in social work, counseling, psychology) required.
• 1-3 years of combined academic course work and related work experience with infant and early childhood, perinatal, families and children preferred.
• Possession of a certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health/Early Intervention preferred (certificate training in Infant Mental Health will be provided if needed)
• Applicants with experience and passion providing culturally competent services to underserved communities preferred.