Job Description

Perinatal Behavioral Specialist - (250003EO)

The Perinatal Behavioral Health Specialist provides behavioral health screening and appropriate response including diagnostic and behavioral health interventions to pregnant and post partum patients. Collaborate with all involved teams and support services to ensure that patient and family needs are met. Identifies and prioritizes clinical and psychosocial goals. Problem solves to ensure follow through on needed responses by multidisciplinary team. Ensures optimal outpatient coordination, and excellent collaboration between teams and partner organizations with a focus on patient experience and outcomes. The Perinatal Behavioral Health Specialist also provides support and guidance to partner organizations.

Qualifications

Minimum Education
Master's Degree Masters degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or similar discipline. (Required)

Minimum Work Experience
3 years Experience in a behavioral health setting with therapy, care coordination, a diverse patient population and preferably with a focus on maternal or perinatal mental health. (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work with diverse patients and groups
Excellent problem solving skills to support diverse program and patient needs
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Detail oriented and able to work independently in a fast paced, collaborative environment

Required Licenses and Certifications
Ind. Clinical Social Worker DC LICSW, Psychologist, LPC or comparable behavioral health License. Upon Hire (Required) Certificate in perinatal mental health (Preferred)

Functional Accountabilities
Professional Practice/Research

Identify patients in need of behavioral health support and/or interventions in a patient centered systematic manner.

Provide appropriate patient centered screening, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Be up to date with staff education regarding behavioral health screening, appropriate behavioral health response, coordination of care, culturally sensitive care, compassion fatigue and other relevant topics.

Identify and implement best practices for responding to perinatal behavioral health concerns.

Provide clinical support and guidance to colleagues with lower level licenses.

Document patient care in a complete, accurate and timely manner.

Exemplary Professional Practice

Complete documentation of all relevant conversations, meetings and referrals.

Actively communicate with team members and escalate any family concerns or needs to the appropriate person or service.

Actively participate in team meetings.

Leadership

Updates team members as frequently as needed to ensure consistent communication to patients.

Act as liaison among clinical services and between clinical services (primary care, psychiatry etc.) and support services (social services etc.)

New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements

Support research of best practices for screening and response for maternal mental health concerns.

Provide regular feedback to the program team on screening and response practices.

Organizational Accountabilities
Organizational Accountabilities (Staff)
Organizational Commitment/Identification

Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

Partner with all team members to achieve goals

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

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

Use resources efficiently

Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance

Primary Location

District of Columbia-Washington

Work Locations

CN Hospital (Main Campus) 111 Michigan Avenue NW Washington 20010

Job

Non-Clinical Professional

Organization

COE Hospital-Based SpecliatiesPosition Status R (Regular) - FT - Full-TimeShift DayWork Schedule 830-5

Job Posting

Jan 29, 2026, 5:11:54 PM

Full-Time Salary Range

75566.4 - 125944

About Children's National Hospital

Children’s National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., was established in 1870 to help every child grow up stronger. Today, it is one of the top 10 children’s hospital in the nation and ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. Children’s National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children. The Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus opened in 2021, a first-of-its-kind pediatric hub dedicated to developing new and better ways to care for kids. Children’s National has been designated three times in a row as a Magnet® hospital, demonstrating the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty care locations in the D.C. metropolitan area, including Maryland and Virginia. Children’s National is home to the Children’s National Research Institute and Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. It is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels. As a non-profit, Children's National relies on generous donors to help ensure that every child receives the care they need.

Industry

Healthcare & Social Services

Company Size

5,001-10,000 employees

Headquarters

Washington, DC

Year Founded

1870

Website

childrensnational.org

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