Parenting Specialist - House of Mercy FT

At MercyOne, health care is more than just a doctor’s visit or a place to go when you’re in need of medical attention. Our Mission is based on improving the health of our communities – that means not only when you are sick but keeping you well.

MercyOne Central Iowa sets the standard for personalized and radically convenient care in the Des Moines metro area and surrounding counties. MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1893, is the longest continually operating hospital in Des Moines and Iowa’s largest medical center, with 802 beds available. The hospital is one of the Midwest’s largest referral centers.

With more than 7,000 colleagues and a medical staff of almost 1,500 physicians and allied health professionals, MercyOne Central Iowa is one of Iowa’s largest employers.

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Join the MercyOne Family! We are looking to hire a Parenting Specialist.

As a Parenting Specialist Provides assigned clients with parenting and child development related consultation, behavioral health intervention services, skill development support, and counseling assistance. Ensures that House of Mercy’s parenting curriculum is current and research/best-practice based. Oversees and facilitates the parenting education and skill development programming provided House of Mercy employees and clients. Coordinates the family activities of assigned clients, ensuring relevance, applicability, and consistency with parenting treatment goals. Serves as a role model and mentor to residents in the practical application of newly acquired positive parenting techniques. Assists families with their transition into House of Mercy.

 Schedule:

• FT Days

General Requirements:

• Establishes rapport and develops a therapeutic relationship with assigned clients.
• Provides parenting related individual and group counseling services. 
• Completes a comprehensive history and assessment of past parenting beliefs and practices.
• Continually reviews and revises House of Mercy’s parenting program ensuring that it is research/best practice based and relevant to the women served.
• Provides parenting education services through individual client encounters, classroom/group activities, staff consultation/training, etc.  
• Develops parenting related goals and objectives for inclusion in client treatment plans.
• Coordinates the transition planning process for children being admitted to House of Mercy and/or reuniting with their mothers at House of Mercy.
• Provides therapeutic interventions to clients experiencing parenting related crises offering empathic support and assistance with problem solving.
• Regularly provides the treatment team with timely updates on the parenting performance status of assigned clients, recommends parenting skill development interventions, and provides clients with authorized/ordered behavioral health intervention services documented in the treatment plan.
• Documents relevant parenting information in a qualitative and timely manner consistent with applicable regulatory and organizational guidelines/expectations.
• Plans, coordinates, and provides classroom instruction to enhance positive parenting skills, techniques, philosophy, principles and goals for House of Mercy staff.
• Provides resource and referral information to clients and coordinates follow-through.
• Assists residents in day-to-day routines to enrich parenting.  Observes, coaches, and assists parents in hands-on learning.
• Identifies/develops and administers standardized tools for assessing changes in client parenting beliefs and knowledge of skills. 
• Provides statistical and other research information as requested.
• Completes data entry and quarterly reports to Iowa Department of Public Health as requested.
• Participates in statewide initiatives to advocate for children and families seeking services and collaborating with other providers of similar services.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Child and Family Services, or counseling related field, required.
• One (1) year previous counseling experience required.
• Management of aggressive behavior training within six (6) months of hire.
• Infant, child and adult CPR certified through American Heart Association within three (3) months of hire.
• Infant, child and adult First Aid certification through American Heart Association within three (3) months of hire.
• Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting training to be completed within first 30 days of employment.

Colleagues of MercyOne Health System enjoy competitive compensation with a full benefits package and opportunity for growth throughout the system!

Visit MercyOne Careers to learn more about the benefits, culture, and career development opportunities available to you at MercyOne Health System circle of care.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.