Early Childhood Development Specialist

Greater Seacoast Community Health seeks a licensed mental health clinician to implement and support healthy childhood development and infant mental health across our network of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Southeastern New Hampshire. Working within the evidence-based Zero to Three Healthy Steps model, the Early Childhood Development Specialist will collaborate with Primary Care Providers and other stakeholders to educate and support families with children ages 0-5 seeking clinical and nonclinical services in the integrated care settings at Goodwin Community Health in Somersworth and Families First Health and Support Center in Portsmouth.

The Early Childhood Development Specialist will support the implementation of a standardized approach to developmental and family needs screening, educate Primary Care Providers and other staff regarding implementation; assist families in connecting to needed services and supports, foster healthy caregiver-child relationships and provide early childhood mental health clinical intervention using the principles of infant mental health and evidence-based models of relational development; Candidates must hold active licensure in Independent Clinical Social Work or Mental Health Counseling. Ideal candidates are invested in improving outcomes for families by applying a strong knowledge base in concepts surrounding early childhood development, parent-child relationships, and early childhood/infant mental health. Ideal candidates understand the value of a team approach to meeting the needs of young children and their families, are have experience with the systems serving young children and families, and recognize the importance of supporting key attachment relationships in promoting healthy development.

Job Duties

• Work with Primary Care, Social Work, and Behavioral Health Providers to assess development of patients between the ages of 0-5 years old
• Provide intervention strategies, caregiver education and support
• Make and follow-up on referrals as indicated
• Implement a standardized screening process using tools such as the SWYC, the MCHA, the ASQ and the Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale
• Implement screening process across clinical settings belonging to GSCH’s network
• Support Primary Care and other staff in adopting best practices for screening
• Assist Primary Care staff in meeting Pediatrics-related Quality Improvement goals
• Coordinate with other staff to track and report on data and outcomes measures required by various grant sources

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree from accredited university in the areas of Social Work, Early Childhood Development, and/or Mental Health Counseling
• License: Active, unencumbered license to practice Independent Social Work or Mental Health Counseling in the state of New Hampshire Required
• Experience: Minimum 2 years’ experience working with children within a licensed scope of work. Prior experience in a healthcare setting is welcomed..
• Other: Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required. Experience with electronic health records a plus.

The ideal candidate will also have:

• ability to work harmoniously with coworkers and patients
• experience working with diverse and vulnerable populations
• excellent communication and listening skills
• organizational skills
• strong clinical and assessment skills
• compassionate and nonjudgmental attitude

Work Location(s):

Goodwin Community Health, Somersworth, NH
Families First Health and Support Center, Portsmouth, NH

Hours Per Week:

24-32

Days:

3-4

Job Status:

Full or Part-time

Eligible for Benefits:

Yes

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental and vision insurance with an agency subsidy. One of our health plans has a no-premium option for employee-only coverage. We also offer a 401(k) plan with an employer match and employer-paid group term life insurance and short-term disability coverage. Voluntary benefits include long-term disability coverage, two Flexible Spending Accounts, and access to discounted auto and home insurance and pre-paid legal assistance. We offer earned time (vacation and sick leave) plus six paid holidays. Eligibility starts at 24 hours/week, with full benefits offered at 32 hours/week and above.

About Us

Greater Seacoast Community Health’s mission is to deliver innovative, compassionate, integrated health services and support that are accessible to all in our community, regardless of ability to pay. Our network of not-for-profit community health centers includes Families First Health & Support Center in Portsmouth, Goodwin Community Health in Somersworth and Lilac City Pediatrics in Rochester. Strafford County Public Health Network and SOS Recovery Community Organization also are affiliated with Greater Seacoast. Our health centers provide primary care, pediatric care, dental care, prenatal care, behavioral health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, mobile health services, WIC, social work services, a pharmacy, parenting classes, playgroups and home visiting. Services are open to all and aim to be team-based, respectful, recovery-friendly, LGBTQ-affirming and trauma-informed. We are recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home and a Family Resource Center of Quality. Learn more at GetCommunityHealth.org.

Greater Seacoast Community Health is an Equal Opportunity provider of health care and other services and an Equal Opportunity employer.