HealthySteps Specialist

At DAP Health we are committed to transforming lives and advancing health equity for all. As a leading nonprofit health care provider we deliver compassionate high-quality care to the diverse communities of the Coachella Valley and San Diego County. Our comprehensive services range from primary care to mental health wellness programs and beyond with a focus on those who are most vulnerable. Joining our team means becoming part of a passionate innovative organization dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. If youre looking for a dynamic and purpose-driven environment we invite you to explore the opportunity to contribute to our mission.

Job Summary
The HealthySteps Specialist (HSS) is embedded within the pediatric primary care team serving families with children ages 03. Through the nationally recognized HealthySteps model the HSS promotes healthy development by supporting positive parenting strengthening parent-child relationships and addressing common concerns such as feeding sleep behavior attachment and parental mental health. The HSS provides screenings guidance care coordination andreferrals tailored to each familys unique needs especially those identified as having significant risk addition to developmental support the HSS delivers billable integrated behavioral health visits expanding access to mental health services within the pediatric setting. This dual role enhances the care model by ensuring families receive timely developmentally appropriate support for both physical and emotional health. The HSS collaborates closely with pediatric providers to implement HealthySteps strategies that improve early childhood outcomes and promote family resilience.
Supervisory Responsibilities:None
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
Responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the HealthySteps Logic Model including:

• Conduct team based well child visits for parents with babies and/or young children with the physician/pediatric nurse practitioner
• Provide consultations for families with babies and/or young children regarding developmental and behavioral concerns such as sleep discipline picky eating etc.
• Deliver billable integrated behavioral health visits as a part of routine pediatric care.
• Collaborate with HS team to enforce all core components of the program including universal child development and SDoH screening making positive parenting and early learning guidance information readily available to all practice staff and adjusting workflows for optimal efficiency
• Provide consultation to medical professionals and all practice staff regarding early childhood development infant mental health and trauma informed practice
• Provide referrals and tracks follow-up appointments as appropriate to help families make connections to key resources within the community
• Maintain extensive databases required to meet HS fidelity metrics including both internal and external referrals
• Collaborate with HS team to complete annual site reporting which may include analysis of both external database files and EMR data reports.
• Document all patient clinical activity and care coordination in electronic medical records
• Maintain open communication with medical staff and members of the care team
• Work closely with pediatric providers around care coordination and goal setting counseling coaching and education about key aspects of a childs development
• May conduct home visits and may accompany families to key medical specialty and community agency appointments as needed
• May facilitate parents/caregivers groups
• Participate in reflective supervision meetings
• Participate when appropriate in community-wide early childhood meetings
• Closely tracks progress made in ongoing checkups that look at both child development and family factors
• In-Home Visits (When launched)
• Conduct in-home visits for families with children ages 03 to provide developmental guidance behavioral health support and care coordination in a familiar and comfortable setting.
• Assess child development family dynamics and social determinants of health to inform individualized care plans and strengthen parent-child relationships.
• Deliver trauma-informed counseling and parenting support during home visits ensuring continuity of care outside the clinic.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Bilingual in Spanish/English preferred
• Demonstrates the ability to perform the technical skills and critical thinking outlined in the performance standards.
• Must be empathetic supportive and patient
• Strong motivational interviewing skills
• Ability to work with people of many cultures
• Ability to take initiative and a willingness to learn
• Ability to work well both in teams and independently
• Ability to collect and enter data for program management evaluation and reporting purposes
• Interest in the use of technology to improve care quality a plus. MS365. Excel Word Outlook etc.
• Self-starter personality

Education and Experience

• Masters degree in psychology social work counseling early childhood education or related field highly preferred
• LCSW preferred
• Current BLS certification obtained through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• Comprehensive knowledge of general nursing theories and practice State Medical Programs such Child Health and Disability Prevention Program
• Experience and knowledge about early childhood growth and development parent-child relationships child health infant mental health and family systems
• Experience evaluating the growth and development of infants and children under three
  years of age
• Demonstrated commitment to working with underserved populations in a community setting

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

• This position is on-site at a DAP Health clinic location
• This job operates in an office setting and requires frequent times of sitting standing repetitive motion and talking
• Ability to lift up to 24 pounds
• Requires current and valid drivers license and current personal auto insurance
• Able to travel to DAP Health locations throughout San Diego and Riverside
• When in-home visits are launched the role may require travel to patient homes and community settings with flexibility to work outside traditional clinic environments while maintaining safety and documentation standards
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures related to safe work practices