Doctorate In Human Services Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Human Services Practitioner provides mental health support within the prenatal care clinic and coordinates referrals to external services as needed. 

This position requires a Level 2 Background Screening and Drug Screen.

This position is grant funded.

This position is time limited.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: 

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.  This job description does not constitute an employment contract.  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in education, Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, or other field appropriate to the program content.

• Bachelor's degree candidates must have at least two years of applicable experience. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in education, Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, or other field appropriate to the program content.
• Appropriate training and clinical licensure to provide psychotherapy (e.g., Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Social Worker, Certified Counselor, Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Registered Nurse
• Experience in a prenatal setting 
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is
conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
 

SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements

A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:

(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree;
(c) Six years of direct experience for a master's degree;
(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree

Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.

Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with the patient's primary obstetric provider and other mental health providers to support mental health care. 
• Screen and assess patients for mental health and substance use disorders. 
• Educate patients about common mental health and substance use disorders and treatment options. 
• Monitor patients for changes in symptoms, treatment side effects, or complications, in person or by phone. 
• Support medication management prescribed by obstetric care clinicians, focusing on adherence, side effects, and treatment effectiveness. 
• Provide psychoeducation on medication risks and benefits during pregnancy/postpartum. 
• Deliver brief interventions using evidence-based techniques like Behavioral Activation, Problem Solving Treatment, or Motivational Interviewing. 
• Facilitate referrals to evidence-based psychotherapy treatments (e.g., ERP, DBT) as needed.
• Encourage patient engagement and follow-up in care. 
• Track patient follow-up and outcomes using a registry; document encounters and use the system to reengage patients. 
• Document patient progress and treatment recommendations in the registry for sharing with the care team.
• Facilitate treatment plan changes for patients who are not improving as expected in consultation with the obstetric care team maternal-fetal medicine, psychiatry and psychology consultants. These may include changes in medications or psychotherapy treatments or appropriate referrals for additional services. 
• Facilitate referrals to services outside the prenatal clinic (e.g., social services, specialty care, substance abuse treatment). 
• Develop relapse prevention plans for patients in remission

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Commitment to providing culturally competent, non-judgmental treatment to our patient population. 
• Experience in perinatal mental health. 
• Experience in screening, assessment, and treatment planning for mental health and substance use disorders. 
• Working knowledge of differential diagnosis and evidence-based psychosocial treatments for common mental health disorders. 
• Familiarity with brief intervention techniques (e.g., Motivational Interviewing, Behavioral Activation). 
• Basic knowledge of psychopharmacology for mental health disorders, within the provider's scope of practice. 
• Experience collaborating effectively in a team setting. 
• Ability to maintain professional relationships with patients and the care team. 
• Ability to navigate mandated reporting guidelines while prioritizing informed consent, patient advocacy, and minimizing harm. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Comfort with the pace of prenatal care. 
• Ability to engage patients in a therapeutic relationship, virtually or in person.