Job Description

Qualifications: 

The Early Childhood Consultant will serve as the regional expert in the social, emotional, developmental and mental health issues of substance exposed infants, pregnant and/or parenting women who use substances or those who are at high risk for using opioids or other substances.

The Early Childhood Consultant must be knowledgeable about early childhood mental health, including, but not limited to: child development, social-emotional wellness and healthy attachment.  He/she must also be familiar with the parent-child dyad.

This position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited school in social work, psychology, nursing, professional counseling or another related field.  Licensure is not necessary, however the person should be familiar with adverse childhood experiences and how they can affect adult behavior and relationships.

Basic knowledge of addiction and family systems is beneficial.

Submit to and pass a criminal record check and a drug screening test.

Hours :

Monday through Friday 8:00 am until 4:30 pm   Evening and weekend hours may be required.

This position works closely with the Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and reports directly to the Children’s Services Director.

Summary of Job Duties: 

The Early Childhood Consultant is responsible for providing education and consultation regarding substance-exposed infants and trauma-exposed young children of mothers recovering from substance use disorders to help mitigate adverse childhood experiences and improve early childhood development and attachment.

The Early Childhood Consultant will provide consultation, trainings, coaching and outreach to families, medical personnel, child welfare i.e. DCBS, women’s treatment staff, health care providers and other community partners who work with pregnant and parenting women with or at risk of developing substance use disorders, on the impact of substance use on infants; early childhood development; healthy attachment and building resilience in families affected by substance use.

The Early Childhood Consultant will work toward expanding the system of care and help reduce the intergenerational impact of substance use on families by providing direct services and education to families affected by substances.

The Early Childhood Consultant will assist in referring mothers and their children (ages 0-18) to various mental health/substance use disorder programs that focus on the parent-child dyad, building healthy relationships and supporting the child’s development.  Services can include, but not limited to: prevention services, therapeutic services, early childhood services, psychiatric services, educational groups, parenting classes, peer support services, case management services, outpatient mental health, outpatient substance use services, medication assisted treatment, residential substance use treatment, etc.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Include the following:

• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the overall operation of designated the consulting program.
• Assist in the establishment of policies, procedures, system development and implementation to meet all licensing and accreditation requirements.
• Responsible for overall productivity of the program to meet standards per agency policy.
• Responsible for evaluating the program’s effectiveness and improving the overall performance.
• Responsible for describing and quantifying the number of consultations, referrals, educational services delivered, trainings, technical assistance, coaching and outreach provided and to whom on a quarterly basis.
• Operate the program in a cost effective manner and monitor revenues and expenditures.
• Make an assessment of and determine the clinical interventions for the assigned consumers.  The population can include: children, adolescents, and adults.
• Implement a treatment plan based on assessment data as well as a sound knowledge base of standards of professional practice and principles of their respected discipline.
• Provide care based on ethical concepts, adhering to established standards of practice and engage in activities or behaviors that characterize professionals.
• Ensure the accuracy, content and completeness of client files.
• Provide services within time requirement as set forth in agency police and procedures.
• Provide services as documented in client treatment plan.
• Refrain from assuming any duty that is unrelated to and/or interferes with the responsibilities of the position.
• Respond to emergency situations in a timely fashion.
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with other team members, as part of a multidisciplinary team and independently, when necessary.
• Other duties as required.

Required Job Skills :

• Oral and Written Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Ability to exercise good judgment, tact, diplomacy and compassion when problem solving, handling conflict or in a crisis situation
• Ability to complete record keeping in a timely fashion
• Ability to formulate treatment objectives for the person served
• Ability to get along with diverse personalities and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to work well with people of all races, backgrounds and needs
• Knowledgeable of Behavioral Health Concepts and how to incorporate concepts into practical application
• Clinical expertise in crisis intervention and resolution
• Ability to work as part of a comprehensive community mental health team and to positively represent the agency in the community
• Knowledgeable of the stages in recovery for behavioral health and/or substance use disorders

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physically able to reach, push, pull, stoop, stand, walk and lift up to 20 pounds
• Possess a valid Kentucky Driver’s License and maintain a safe driving record if required for job performance.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions, may be off-site from normal office location or placed at a Residential Program.

The noise level in the work environment is mild to moderate.

Environmental Data and Job Hazards :

• Hours of work are structured 7.5 – 8.0 hour blocks of time but may be subject to irregular and/or flexible hours based on needs or demands.
• Position may require duties to include routine or reasonable anticipated tasks or procedures where there is a degree of actual or potential exposure to blood or other infectious materials.
• All staff are required to participate in yearly trainings regarding infection control and safety in the environment including hazardous waste and blood borne pathogens.
• All new staff must attend training regarding handling physical, verbal threats, acts of violence or other escalating and potential dangerous situations including when police need to be summoned.
• All staff must be certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation within one month of employment and maintain the certification, if providing direct care.

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