Healthy Steps Specialist

Early Childhood Clinician LPC/LICSW (Healthy Steps Specialist) The HealthySteps Specialist (HSS) is responsible for the care of parents and children, ages 0‑3, in a primary care setting, as part of a maternal mental health and early childhood program called HealthySteps. The HSS administers developmental and mental health screening tools and provides support and anticipatory guidance for common concerns for parents of children ages 0‑3, including feeding, behavior, sleep, depression, and adapting to life with a baby or young child. The HSS conducts brief interventions for parents/caregivers, such as on‑site therapy sessions, when indicated by a positive depression screen or when the parent or pediatric provider expresses a concern around mental health and parenting stress. The HSS also participates in research, educational, and advocacy initiatives related to HealthySteps. Responsibilities Administer developmental and mental health screening tools for parents and children ages 0‑3. Provide support and anticipatory guidance for common developmental and mental health concerns. Conduct brief interventions and on‑site therapy sessions as clinically appropriate. Participate in research, educational, and advocacy initiatives related to HealthySteps. Functional Accountabilities Provide clinical services for patients at Children’s National Hospital and other approved sites. Actively participate in family‑centered care and communicate professionally and compassionately. Refer patients to specialists and ancillary services as appropriate. Use the defined chain of command and escalation policies. Respond to team members and outside providers timely and respectfully. Communicate clearly to trainees and encourage questions. Commitment to Advocacy Participate in CNMC’s advocacy initiatives. Contribute scholarly effort to advance public policy for population‑based pediatric health. Teach patients and families about treatment, prevention, and care enhancement techniques. Participate in health promotion, education, and prevention programs. Commitment to Research Engage in collaborative research within the Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN) and Children’s Advocacy Institute (CHAI). Review manuscripts for peer‑reviewed journals and publish in scientific journals. Participate in research committees, workshops, and special interest groups. Commitment to Education Participate in CNMC’s medical education programs with colleagues and trainees. Participate in hospital/university‑wide educational programs. Engage in local, regional, and national educational efforts, particularly in eating disorders. Provide timely feedback to trainees and ensure adequate orientation for trainee care. Supervise and train clinical professionals and students effectively. Commitment to Quality & Compliance Follow bylaws, policies, procedures, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and infection control standards. Complete all clinical documentation promptly and accurately as required by JCAHO and other regulatory bodies. Identify problems related to patient services and recommend improvements. Participate in policy development and revisions affecting psychological practice. Evaluate patient care according to protocols and quality assurance program criteria. Report medical and other errors and participate in prevention efforts. Anticipate and respond to customer needs; follow up until needs are met. Teamwork & Communication Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior. Partner with all team members to achieve goals. Be receptive to others’ ideas and opinions. Performance Improvement & Problem‑Solving Contribute to a positive work environment. Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change. Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes. Make appropriate decisions using sound judgment. Use resources efficiently and seek cost‑effective solutions. Safety Speak up when unsafe behavior or performance is observed. Validate and verify information for decision making or documentation. Act calmly and carefully under uncertainty. Communicate accurately and timely, both verbally and in writing. Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors, and co‑workers. Practice the Stop, Think, Act, and Review approach for self‑check. Qualifications Minimum Education Master’s Degree in Social Work, Clinical Counseling, or a related field (Required). Minimum Work Experience 3 years of experience working with children and families in early childhood development/mental health and/or maternal mental health and wellness (Preferred). Required Skills & Knowledge Formulate diagnoses for patients with acute or chronic mental health disorders. Diagnostically interpret data from psychological tests, social histories, and interviews. Provide risk assessments for danger to self or others. Function independently in evaluating patient problems and developing care plans. Incorporate ethical concepts into patient care and discuss them with patients, families, and the team. Maintain quality and safety standards. Commit to continuing education and stay current on advances in maternal mental health and early childhood development. Adhere to legal and ethical standards for mental health service delivery. Required Licenses & Certifications Psychologist licensed in Washington, DC upon hire (Required). Ind. Clinical Social Worker licensed in Washington, DC upon hire (Required). Licensed Professional Counselor licensed in Washington, DC upon hire (Required). Childrens National Hospital is an equal opportunity employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, identity, or other characteristics protected by law. 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