Clinical Support Specialist

Mission Statement

The Children’s Network of Hillsborough is committed to working with the community to protect children and preserve families.

General Purpose of Job

The Clinical Support Specialist serves as a liaison between child welfare stakeholders, behavioral health providers, and community partners to support timely access to behavioral health services for children and families involved in the dependency system. This position is responsible for coordinating behavioral health referrals, monitoring service delivery, facilitating communication among multidisciplinary partners, supporting discharge planning and transition services, ensuring compliance with documentation requirements, and assisting in the identification and removal of barriers that may impact service access and continuity of care. The Clinical Support Specialist promotes positive outcomes for children and families through collaborative service coordination, information sharing, and adherence to child welfare and behavioral health best practices.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor the timeliness, coordination, and delivery of behavioral health services for children and families.
• Review recommendations from Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessments (CBHAs) and other relevant records to identify service needs and facilitate appropriate referrals.
• Ensure Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessments, Suitability Assessments, and other required behavioral health documentation are uploaded to the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) and submitted to Children’s Legal Services, as required.
• Respond to and assist in the coordination and management of inpatient behavioral health notifications.
• Participate in discharge planning for children transitioning from inpatient behavioral health facilities or crisis stabilization units, including coordination and monitoring of recommended follow-up services.
• Collaborate with Case Management Organizations (CMOs), community-based care partners, and service providers to identify and address barriers to behavioral health services.
• Respond to requests for behavioral health information related to Independent Living and transition planning.
• Coordinate and participate in Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) staffings to determine appropriate levels of care, facilitate service planning, and obtain authorizations when required.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with Medicaid behavioral health providers and other community partners to improve communication, service delivery, and access to care.
• Monitor and respond to email communications daily and disseminate pertinent information to appropriate staff and stakeholders.
• Monitor email on daily basis; and circulates pertinent information to unit staff members.
• Maintain regular in-office attendance to perform essential job functions, collaborate effectively with team members, participate in meetings, and provide timely support to agency operations and service delivery.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and agency goals, as needed and appropriate to the position.

Working HOurs

Children’s Network of Hillsborough’s standard business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This position is an in-office based position that averages 40 hours per week. Work hours may vary outside of these standard hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to meet operational demands. All hours worked will be compensated in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and agency policies, including applicable overtime and other compensation requirements.

Travel

Travel within and outside of Hillsborough County is required.

Training

All employees are required to complete fifteen (15) hours of training annually, which may be completed online or in a classroom setting. Employees who hold a credential or license relevant to their position must ensure that all training and continuing education requirements are met to maintain their credential or licensure.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, counseling, human services, psychology, or related field.
• Knowledge of Child Welfare preferred
• Knowledge of mental health and other co-occurring disorders

Skills and Abilities

Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, monitor service timelines, and maintain accurate records. Ability to learn and demonstrate knowledge of behavioral health systems, child welfare practices, and community-based service delivery. Ability to coordinate services across multidisciplinary teams, healthcare providers, legal partners, and case management organizations while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality. Skilled in identifying barriers to services, facilitating problem resolution, and supporting effective service coordination. Ability to interpret behavioral health assessments, apply applicable policies and procedures, and ensure compliance with documentation and reporting requirements. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, electronic case management systems, and other technology platforms necessary to perform essential job functions. Ability to work independently while maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

pre-employment requirements

Certificates, License, Registrations, backgrounds, drug screens, Etc.

• Proof of education is required
• Valid driver’s license required, with proof of insurance
• Driver’s license check is a requirement
• Criminal background screening (fingerprinting) (Local Law Enforcement and FBI/FDLE)
• Drug Screening is a requirement
• Children’s Network participates in E-Verify

Other Requirements

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with children, families, service providers, healthcare professionals, attorneys, case management staff, and other community stakeholders. Ability to prepare, review, and maintain clear, accurate, and timely documentation, reports, correspondence, and behavioral health-related records. Skilled in explaining complex behavioral health information, service recommendations, policies, and procedures in a manner that is understandable to diverse audiences. Ability to actively listen, gather relevant information, facilitate productive discussions, and communicate with professionalism, sensitivity, and discretion when addressing confidential or sensitive matters. Strong presentation and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to participate in multidisciplinary meetings and collaborate effectively across organizational and community systems.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to apply basic mathematical and analytical principles to monitor service timelines, track performance measures, review utilization data, and maintain accurate records. Ability to compile, verify, and evaluate information for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with agency, contractual, and regulatory requirements. Ability to calculate dates, monitor time-sensitive activities, review service authorization periods, and support reporting functions through the collection and analysis of relevant data. Ability to identify inconsistencies, analyze trends, and support data-informed decision-making related to service coordination and behavioral health outcomes.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to exercise sound judgment and apply critical thinking when evaluating behavioral health needs, interpreting assessments, and coordinating appropriate services. Ability to analyze complex information from multiple sources, identify service gaps or barriers, and develop practical solutions that support the safety, well-being, and permanency of children. Ability to prioritize competing demands, manage changing circumstances, and make timely decisions consistent with agency policies, professional standards, and applicable regulations. Demonstrated ability to evaluate situations objectively, maintain confidentiality, and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary stakeholders to achieve positive service outcomes for children and families.

Physical Demands

The physical demands of this position are generally moderate. The role may require extended periods of sitting, standing, and using a computer. Occasional lifting of office supplies, files, or materials up to 25 pounds may be required. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is an in-office-based position focused on administrative work, where the noise level may be moderate. This role may involve occasional travel among agency locations, extended periods of computer work, and frequent interactions across multiple departments. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

ADA:       Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

EEO:        Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, religion, veteran status, or disability in employment, in provision of services, or in access to programs.

Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC is a Drug-Free Workplace.