Behavioral Health Director

Job Description

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:

Behavioral Health Director

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Behavioral Health Director provides strategic, operational, and clinical leadership for CHCFC’s integrated Behavioral Health Department. The Director is responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of high-quality, patient-centered behavioral health services that are aligned with CHCFC’s mission and commitment to equitable, integrated care.

As a member of the Leadership Team, the Behavioral Health Director advises executive leadership on behavioral health strategy, oversees departmental operations and workforce development, supports clinical quality and compliance, and promotes collaboration across primary care, dental, and behavioral health services. The Director maintains a clinical practice while balancing direct patient care with leadership, administrative, and program development responsibilities.

REPORTS TO:

Chief Medical Officer

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership, Strategy, and Program Development

• Provides vision, leadership, and strategic direction for CHCFC Behavioral Health Services.
• Makes recommendations to the CEO, Chief Medical Officer, and Leadership Team regarding behavioral health programs, services, staffing models, and strategic priorities.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates behavioral health programs responsive to community needs.
• Collaborates with organizational leadership to advance integrated behavioral health models across medical and dental services.
• Represents CHCFC at regional and statewide behavioral health meetings and community partnerships.
• Identifies opportunities for innovation, collaboration, grant funding, and service expansion.

Department Operations and Workforce Leadership

• Directs daily operations of the Behavioral Health Department.
• Supervises behavioral health staff and provides leadership, mentorship, and professional development support.
• Participates in recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, orientation, and retention activities for behavioral health team members.
• Completes performance evaluations and supports staff accountability and professional growth.
• Develops staffing models and workflows that support patient access, quality care, and sustainability.
• Monitors access, productivity, utilization, and operational metrics.

Integrated Clinical Care Leadership

• Promotes integration of behavioral health services within primary care and dental care teams.
• Provides behavioral health consultation to medical and dental providers regarding treatment planning, complex patient needs, and care coordination.
• Participates in interdisciplinary care teams, huddles, warm hand-offs, case reviews, and team meetings.
• Supports primary care teams in addressing behavioral health conditions that impact physical health outcomes.
• Provides consultation and education to clinical staff regarding motivational interviewing, behavioral interventions, trauma-informed care, and management of complex patients.
• Designs and supports programs that reduce the impact of psychological factors on physical illness within the community.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provides direct behavioral health clinical services to patients as assigned.
• Completes diagnostic evaluations and behavioral health assessments as appropriate.
• Maintains timely, accurate, and comprehensive clinical documentation in the electronic health record.
• Provides patient-centered, culturally responsive, evidence-based behavioral health care.
• Maintains clinical competencies and professional licensure requirements.

Quality Improvement, Safety, and Compliance

• Participates in organizational quality improvement activities.
• Develops and monitors behavioral health quality improvement initiatives.
• Establishes and supports evidence-based clinical standards, workflows, and best practices.
• Ensures behavioral health services comply with applicable regulatory, licensing, payer, and organizational requirements.
• Supports compliance with HRSA, CMS, Medicaid, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and applicable Massachusetts behavioral health regulations.
• Participates in clinical risk management activities, peer review, chart review, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Supports organizational readiness for audits, accreditation activities, and regulatory reviews.

Financial Management

• Develops and manages the Behavioral Health Department annual operating budget in collaboration with organizational leadership.
• Monitors financial performance, resource utilization, and sustainability of behavioral health services.
• Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, access, reimbursement, and long-term viability of behavioral health programs.

Collaboration and Communication

• Participates as a member of the CHCFC Leadership Team.
• Attends primary care and interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Promotes communication, collaboration, and shared accountability across departments.
• Builds strong working relationships with clinical and operational leaders.
• Communicates departmental goals, expectations, and performance outcomes effectively.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, LICENSURE, AND EXPERIENCE:

Education and Licensure:

• Master’s degree or doctoral degree in psychology, social work, counseling, psychiatric nursing, medicine, or a related behavioral health discipline required.
• Current unrestricted Massachusetts professional license required, such as:
  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
  • Licensed Psychologist
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
  • Psychiatrist
  • Other independently licensed behavioral health professional as appropriate.
• Must meet credentialing and privileging requirements of CHCFC.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible behavioral health clinical experience preferred.
• Prior leadership, supervisory, or program management experience preferred.
• Experience working in integrated behavioral health, primary care, community health, or Federally Qualified Health Center settings strongly preferred.
• Experience with quality improvement, program development, and interdisciplinary care models preferred.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a psychology, public health, social work, or a related field required, Master’s Degree or Doctorate preferred.
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) required. Salary range is negotiable for Psychologist, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatrist, or comparable advanced degrees.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Strong commitment to CHCFC’s mission and values.
• Demonstrated leadership, supervision, and team-building skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary healthcare environment.
• Knowledge of integrated behavioral health models and evidence-based behavioral health practices.
• Commitment to health equity, culturally responsive care, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Ability to analyze quality, access, operational, and financial data.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to provide behavioral health services and consultation both in person and through telehealth.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation systems.

Bilingual/bicultural candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Duties may require standing, walking, sitting, use of hands and arms, climbing stairs, bending, kneeling, crouching, and lifting up to 25 pounds. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Working Conditions:

This position may require travel between health center locations and exposure to typical weather conditions. Duties may involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues consistent with an outpatient healthcare environment.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

CHCFC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal or state law. CHCFC is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

DISCLAIMER

This job description reflects the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. It does not constitute an employment contract. Duties and responsibilities may be modified based on organizational needs.