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.

Come to work every day knowing your efforts make other people’s lives better. You’ll be part of a supportive, dynamic, multidisciplinary team – including medical, dental and behavioral health care providers, social workers, family workers and others – working together to meet the needs of the whole person. Your days will be busy, varied and interesting. And you’ll have opportunities for career growth: Many employees take on new challenges and increasingly responsible positions during their years with us.

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

Reports to:
 
 Director of Behavioral Health 

Work Location(s): 
 Families First Health and Support Center, Portsmouth, NH

Hours Per Week: 
 
 32

Days:

 4

Job Status: 

 Full 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. 

The Greater Seacoast Community Health network includes Families First Health & Support Center in Portsmouth, Goodwin Community Health in Somersworth, and Lilac City Pediatrics at both locations. Strafford County Public Health Network and WIC Nutrition Program are also affiliated with Greater Seacoast. 

Greater Seacoast Community Health is a network of community health centers providing primary care, pediatrics, 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.

We believe everyone should be empowered to maximize health and well-being and strive to make our array of programs and health services integrated, high quality, affordable, recovery friendly, trauma informed, inclusive, and easy to access.

As not-for-profit community health centers and family resource centers serving the Greater Seacoast region of New Hampshire and southern Maine, our services are for everyone — infants to seniors, single people and families, insured or uninsured, all income levels. Learn more at GetCommunityHealth.org.

Greater Seacoast Community Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants without regard to race, color, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by state, federal, or local law. Qualified Veterans are encouraged to apply.

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