Job Abstract

Equal Opportunity Employer

The mission of the Health Federation of Philadelphia is to promote health equity for marginalized communities by advancing access to high-quality, integrated, and comprehensive health and human services.  Health equity is at the heart of all our work. We believe in and are firmly committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status.  This commitment applies to all aspects of the Health Federation of Philadelphia’s employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion.

Cover Letter Required

JOB SUMMARY

The Division of Maternal, Child, and Family Health (MCFH) of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) is seeking an experienced behavioral health specialist to provide behavioral health services to participants within its Healthy Start Program.   The Healthy Start Doula Program is a free doula home visiting program that provides education and care coordination to pregnant women and families of children under the age of eighteen months. The goal of the program is to lower risk factors associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, infant mortality and poor developmental outcomes. The purpose of the program is to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy, and reduce racial/ethnic differences in rates of infant death and adverse perinatal outcomes. The Healthy Start Doula Program Behavioral Health Specialist will offer health assessments and screenings to participants; consultations and capacity building with Doula Case Managers; in-home behavioral health treatment until connected with community supports; and connection to ongoing community behavioral and mental health resources.

The mission of MCFH is to empower all Philadelphia mothers, children, and families to create and live healthy lives. We are committed to eliminating racial health disparities and elevating community voice. We accomplish our mission through coalition building, data and evaluation, policy and advocacy, public health campaigns, direct service, and capacity building.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Provide behavioral health assessments and screening services to all newly enrolled clients.
• Provide brief in-home behavioral health/mental health treatment and connection to ongoing community behavioral health resources.
• Consult with doula case managers and build capacity in client care and management.
• Maintain and submit timely family documentation of each encounter, including assessments, screenings, and resource referrals.
• Participate in staff meetings and other staff projects as required. 
• Provide direct participant group meetings education focusing on mental health subjects.
• Offer education and training to doula case managers on various topics such as perinatal depression and anxiety disorders, the use of psychotropic medications and other areas related to the health of participants.
• Additionally, discuss procedures, protocol, and other administrative processes to ensure quality provision of services for families, record keeping, and data entry.

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree required in related field, e.g. LPC, LCSW, MSW.
• Demonstrated ability to work with parents and their children.
• Strong interpersonal skills that reflect ethics, empathy, conscientiousness, independence, openness to diversity and commitment to learning and education.
• Willingness to visit families in their homes, and/or conduct virtual visits. 
• Comfortable with delivering educational services in a non-judgmental, strengths-based manner.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills that reflect patience, cultural humility, and honesty.
• Dual linguistic capability in Spanish is preferred.
• Familiarity with Healthy Start or other case management/care coordination programs is preferred.
• Able to travel throughout Philadelphia. If driving, the behavioral health specialist must have a reliable car, driver’s license, and current insurance.

Work Environment:  This is not remote work. The applicant will work from the Health Department offices or other locations as assigned.

Travel: This position will involve fieldwork, with in-person support provided through field visits and attending events at hospitals, community organizations, health fairs, and other outreach response activities.

Physical Demands:  This job may require moderate physical effort including lifting materials and equipment of less than 25 pounds, and involves viewing a CRT or VDT screen 50 to 75 % of the time.

Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:  Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination must be produced upon hire.

Salary and Benefits:  Salary commensurate with experience. Salary range between $68,000-$75,000 depending on formal qualifications and experience.  Our employees are our most valuable resource, so we offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, which can include:

• Medical with vision benefits
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life, AD&D and long-term care insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan, with a company contribution
• Paid time off including vacation, sick, personal and holiday
• Employee Assistance Program

Eligibility and participation are handled consistent with the plan documents and HFP policy. 

DISCLAIMER

The Health Federation reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the Company desires. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee assigned to this position. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, responsibilities and/or skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied, or otherwise. The employment relationship remains “at will.” The aforementioned job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals.