Behavioral Health Clinician

Description

Clinical Assessment and Therapeutic Services

· Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, behavioral health screenings, and clinical evaluations for participants enrolled in the Midwest Healthy Start program. 

· Utilize validated screening tools, including the PHQ-9, EPDS, GAD-7, and other evidence-based assessment instruments, to identify behavioral health needs. 

· Develop individualized treatment plans and provide short-term individual, family, and group counseling using evidence-based interventions. 

· Deliver trauma-informed behavioral health services to pregnant and postpartum individuals, fathers/partners, and families experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, adjustment disorders, and other behavioral health concerns. 

· Provide crisis intervention, suicide risk assessments, safety planning, stabilization services, and referrals for higher levels of care when appropriate. 

Behavioral Health Consultation and Early Childhood Mental Health

· Serve as the behavioral health consultant for SGA's Start Early Early Head Start, Home-Based, and Family Child Care programs. 

· Provide reflective consultation and coaching to Home Visitors, Family Child Care Specialists, Family Support Specialists, and supervisory staff regarding infant and early childhood mental health, child development, attachment, trauma, and challenging behaviors. 

· Conduct observations during home visits, family child care settings, and program activities to assess social-emotional concerns and recommend appropriate interventions. 

· Consult with families regarding child development, parent-child relationships, behavioral concerns, emotional regulation, and positive parenting practices. 

· Support implementation of Head Start Performance Standards related to Mental Health Services and contribute to continuous quality improvement efforts. 

Care Coordination and Family Support

· Collaborate with Community Health Workers, Nurse Practitioners, medical providers, educators, Early Intervention providers, and community partners to ensure coordinated, family-centered care. 

· Connect participants and families to behavioral health, substance use treatment, domestic violence services, housing resources, developmental evaluations, Early Intervention, and other community-based supports. 

· Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences, care planning meetings, and family staffing sessions to coordinate services and improve participant outcomes. 

Training, Education, and Clinical Consultation

· Provide clinical consultation and guidance to program staff regarding participant engagement, behavioral health concerns, trauma-informed practices, and appropriate intervention strategies. 

· Develop and facilitate trainings for staff and families on topics including infant and early childhood mental health, maternal mental health, trauma-informed care, positive behavior supports, protective factors, resilience, reflective parenting, stress management, and self-care. 

· Assist in developing behavioral health protocols, clinical workflows, and best practices that strengthen service delivery across programs. 

Documentation, Compliance, and Quality Improvement

· Maintain timely, accurate, and complete clinical documentation, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, referrals, and discharge summaries. 

· Ensure compliance with agency policies, HIPAA regulations, ethical standards, licensing requirements, and grant deliverables. 

· Assist with program evaluation, data collection, outcome measurement, quality improvement initiatives, and preparation of grant reports. 

Professional Responsibilities

· Participate in clinical supervision, reflective practice, continuing education, and professional development activities. 

· Represent SGA at community meetings, collaborative partnerships, and professional events. 

· Perform other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Education

Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited program.

Current Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license required

Experience

· Minimum five years of clinical experience providing behavioral health services.

· Experience working with pregnant women, infants, families, or maternal and child health populations preferred.

· Experience providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.

· Knowledge of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, crisis intervention, and community behavioral health systems.

Preferred Experience

· Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health 

· Head Start/Early Head Start 

· Reflective Practice 

· Child Development 

· Parent-Child Relationship-Based Interventions 

· Home Visiting Programs 

· Maternal Mental Health 

· Early Intervention systems

· Experience providing reflective supervision or reflective consultation.

· Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and infant/early childhood mental health best practices.

Key Competencies

· Clinical assessment and diagnosis

· Evidence-based counseling interventions

· Motivational Interviewing and trauma-informed care

· Strong interdisciplinary collaboration

· Excellent documentation and case management skills

· Microsoft Office and ETO proficiency

· Clinical consultation and staff coaching 

·  Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health 

·  Cultural humility and family-centered practice 

·  Relationship-based practice 

· Strong presentation and facilitation skills

Conditions of Employment

·Must have a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance required for work-related travel.

Physical Requirements

· Ability to remain stationary for extended periods.

· Frequent travel to participant homes, SGA offices, hospitals, community agencies, and early childhood program sites.

· Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.

· Evening and weekend availability as needed.

FULL-TIME BENEFITS ELIGIBLE

BENEFITS

Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer-paid life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; a 403(b) retirement savings plan; paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays; an Employee Assistance Program; Benefits are provided in accordance with plan documents and organizational policies, and eligibility may vary based on employment status and scheduled hours.

DISCLAIMER

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; this description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  This job description is subject to change at any time.

An Equal Opportunity Employer