Healthy Steps Specialist

Crossing Healthcare; Longview Place (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Crossing Healthcare in Illinois seeks a Healthy Steps Specialist to promote positive parenting and child development for families in low-income communities. The role collaborates with pediatric providers and integrates into the primary care team to support developmental screening and responsive care.

You will consult with families on developmental and behavioral concerns, coordinate referrals, manage the HS Warm Line, and document care in EMR while working with multiple Crossing departments to

Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred or Bachelor’s degree required in psychology, social work, counseling, early childhood development education or related field.
• Experience in 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.
• Successful work history providing direct patient care in a social services or healthcare setting is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Consult with families, babies and young children on developmental and behavioral concerns.
• Collaborate with the HS team to implement core components including screenings and warm line management.
• Refer families to community resources and track follow-up for continuity of care.
• Document all patient clinical activity and care coordination in the EMR.
• Coordinate with Crossing departments for internal referral linkage and care management.

Skills

Confidentiality

Cultural sensitivity

English fluency

Spanish desirable

Data entry

Team collaboration

Motivational interviewing

Education

Master’s degree preferred

Bachelor’s degree required

Tools

EMR

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Position Summary:The Healthy Steps Specialists is responsible for promoting positive parenting and healthy development for babies and toddlers with an emphasis on families living in low-income communities. This individual consults with Pediatric providers and is integrated into the primary care team.Position StatusThis is a full-time, exempt position. The Healthy Steps Specialist reports to the Chief Medical Officer.Duties & ResponsibilitiesManages the care of patients in collaboration with other health professionals and members of the Healthy Steps (HS) team in order to make decisions about treatment and attain health goalsProvides consultations with families, with babies and young children regarding developmental and behavioral concerns such as sleep, discipline, picky eating, etc.Collaborates with the HS team to implement all core components of the program including universal child development and SDOH screenings as well HS Warm Line management, making positive parenting and early learning guidance information readily available to all families and practice staff and adjusting workflows for optimal efficiencyProvides consultation to medical professionals and all practice staff re: early childhood development, infant mental health and trauma informed practiceIdentifies community resources, makes appropriate referrals and tracks follow-up to help families make connections to key resources and maintain continuity of careMaintains extensive databases required to meet HS fidelity metrics including both internal and external referralsCollaborates with HS team to complete annual site reporting to the National Office which may include analysis of both external database files and EMR reportsDocuments all patient clinical activity and care coordination in electronic medical recordsMaintains open communication with medical staff and members of the care teamWorks closely with pediatric providers around care coordination, goal setting, counseling, coaching and education about key aspects of a child’s developmentCollaborates with all Crossing departments (WH, BH, Adult Medicine) for internal referral linkage and managementParticipates when appropriate in community-wide early childhood meetingsPerforms other duties as assignedCompetenciesAbility to maintain confidentialityAbility to relate to persons of various economic levels and culturesAbility to multitask and triage/juggle multiple appointments and conflicting prioritiesMaintain open door policy, potential frequent interruptions and warm hand-offsAbility to speak and write fluently in English; Spanish desirableAbility to take initiative, willingness to learn and show confidence and assertiveness with providers and colleaguesAbility to work both in teams, independently and interdependently within a clinic setting utilizing various accepted therapeutic modalities, adherence to a strong code of personal and professional ethicsAbility to collect and enter data for program management, evaluation and reporting purposes.Excellent oral and written communication skills. Being able to switch from being on the floor playing with young patients to communicating with medical professionals regarding health interventions in a professional, coherent and efficient mannerStrong motivational interviewing skillsKnowledge of and access to community resourcesProficiency in data entry, interpersonal, organizational and problem-solving skillsProficiency working in an Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.Reflectiveness, insight and curiosity about oneselfWillingness to pursue continuing education opportunitiesEducation and ExperienceMaster’s degree (preferred), or Bachelor’s degree (required) in psychology, social work, counseling, early childhood development education or related field.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 ageSuccessful work history providing direct patient care in a social services or healthcare setting is a plusPhysical RequirementsAbility to work in conditions that include exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissues, contagious diseases and/or other potentially hazardous materialsModerate physical exertion including frequent walking, standing, bending, reaching, sitting on floor and carrying moderately heavy loads (up to 25 lbs.)