Behavioral Health Director

Purpose: The Director of Behavioral Health is responsible for the administrative management and day-to-day operations of Western Wayne Family Health Centers’ behavioral healthcare programs across all clinic locations. The Director provides leadership for an integrated behavioral health model in which primary care providers and behavioral health clinicians collaborate to provide coordinated, patient-centered care.

The Director develops, directs, and supervises behavioral health programs and services; establishes and monitors clinical, quality improvement, productivity, and efficiency targets; and ensures achievement of established outcomes. The Director coordinates clinical training, develops and implements policies and procedures, oversees the assessment and treatment of patients, monitors service delivery and productivity, and provides direct supervision to behavioral health staff.

Strong leadership and organizational skills are required to effectively manage day-to-day behavioral health operations, collaborate strategically with medical and behavioral health providers, and build strong working relationships across all clinic locations. The Director is responsible for ensuring consistent, high-quality behavioral health services and integration of behavioral health into the organization’s overall healthcare delivery model.

This is a full-time position with responsibility for the oversight and management of behavioral health staff and services at all WWFHC locations. The Director may also maintain a limited clinical caseload to provide individual psychotherapy services, as operational needs permit.

PART I: ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTION AND DUTIES

1. Perform all duties and responsibilities in compliance with WWFHC policies and procedures, applicable state and federal laws and regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) standards, HRSA requirements, accreditation standards, and other applicable regulatory requirements and guidance.

2. Collaborate with the Credentialing Department to ensure all Behavioral Health staff maintain current and appropriate professional licenses, certifications, registrations, and credentials.

3. Participate in periodic management, clinical, quality, and regulatory reviews conducted by HRSA, Joint Commission, BPHC, PHS Region V, the State of Michigan, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and other applicable federal, state, regulatory, accreditation, or funding agencies.

4. Participate in and provide leadership for the organization's Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Improvement (QI) programs as they relate to Behavioral Health and integrated care clinical practices.

5. Conduct regular audits of patient charts to ensure accurate clinical documentation, coding, treatment plans, assessments, and compliance with applicable clinical, regulatory, and billing requirements within the electronic medical record (EMR).

6. Ensure contractual, grant, programmatic, productivity, documentation, and patient-contact requirements are met for Behavioral Health services.

7. Provide ongoing clinical and administrative supervision and evaluation of Behavioral Health staff; lead regular staff meetings; establish performance expectations; and document supervisory sessions in accordance with WWFHC policies.

8. Provide appropriate clinical supervision to Limited Licensed Master Social Workers (LLMSWs), LMSW staff, MSW students, Limited Licensed Professional Counselors (LLPCs), LPC staff, and students as permitted by the Director's professional license and applicable state requirements.

9. Address employee performance, conduct, attendance, and personnel issues consistently, promptly, and appropriately in accordance with WWFHC policies and procedures and applicable employment laws.

10. Conduct case consultations with Behavioral Health staff to support ongoing assessment, treatment planning, level-of-care determinations, continuity of care, and appropriate referrals or transfers.

11. Conduct annual employee performance evaluations in accordance with the WWFHC performance management process; review evaluations with each employee; continuously monitor staff performance; and initiate coaching, corrective action, or disciplinary action when appropriate and consistent with WWFHC policy.

12. Contribute to the development of grant proposals, applications, budgets, program narratives, performance reports, and other funding-related activities.

13. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with WWFHC policies and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, assigning and directing work, evaluating performance, recognizing

performance, addressing employee concerns, administering corrective or disciplinary action, and resolving workplace issues.

14. Prepare reports, analyses, recommendations, and other materials for the WWFHC executive leadership team regarding Behavioral Health services, operations, productivity, quality, staffing, access, and strategic initiatives.

15. Ensure Behavioral Health staff receive appropriate training and ongoing support in the effective use and management of the EMR, including clinical documentation, workflows, coding, and compliance requirements.

16. Evaluate and coordinate training and education for Behavioral Health providers to support accurate documentation, coding, billing, and reimbursement for services provided.

17. Serve as a member of the WWFHC Management Team and participate in organizational financial planning, strategic planning, program development, operational decision-making, and management of internal systems of care delivery.

18. Assess and determine appropriate Behavioral Health staffing levels based on patient volume, demand, productivity, access, site utilization, program requirements, and organizational priorities.

19. Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate processes and standards designed to improve the quality of patient services, patient satisfaction, patient access, patient engagement, and continuity of care.

20. Work closely with psychiatrist(s), the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), and other medical leadership to integrate psychiatric and psychotropic medication management services into the primary care and Behavioral Health model, including oversight of telepsychiatry services and applicable contractual relationships.

21. Serve as a liaison with psychiatric providers and collaborate with the CMO and other clinical leaders as appropriate to support coordination and integration of psychiatric services.

22. Meet regularly with executive leadership and other management team members to discuss Behavioral Health staffing, operational needs, clinical concerns, quality outcomes, patient access, program development, and recommendations for improving Behavioral Health and integrated care services.

23. Maintain a limited clinical caseload, as determined by organizational needs, to provide direct psychotherapy or other appropriate Behavioral Health services while maintaining the primary focus on administrative, operational, clinical leadership, and supervisory responsibilities.

24. Establish, evaluate, and maintain standards of care, clinical practices, and treatment procedures for Behavioral Health and substance use disorder services. Develop, review, and update related policies and procedures as needed to ensure compliance with current standards and best practices.

25. Monitor Behavioral Health referrals, referral sources, referral patterns, access to services, follow-up processes, and continuity of care; identify opportunities to strengthen referral management and evidence-based practices.

26. Coordinate and lead the integration of Behavioral Health and primary care services across WWFHC health centers, collaborating with managers and leaders of complementary service areas, including Quality, Risk Management, Billing, Finance, Special Projects, Dental, Credentialing, Human Resources, and other departments as appropriate.

27. Develop, coordinate, and deliver clinical and operational training for new Behavioral Health staff and ongoing education for existing staff regarding Behavioral Health services, integrated care, documentation, workflows, compliance, and organizational expectations.

28. Participate in an on-call or leadership rotation when required by organizational needs.

29. Confer regularly with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) regarding the overall operations, performance, staffing, quality, strategic direction, and clinical activities of Behavioral Health services.

30. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer or Executive Leadership.

PART II: CLINIC WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES

I. Customer Relations:

a. Treats guests, patients, physicians, and other employees with care, courtesy, and respect.

b. Responds quickly and appropriately to customer requests.

c. Looks for and suggests ways to better meet customer needs.

d. Answers clinic communications systems promptly and with courtesy and respect.

2. Teamwork:

a. Works cooperatively within own department and other areas.

b. Willingly accepts additional responsibility - tries to make others’ job easier.

c. Responds quickly to request for assistance.

d. Required to work closely with patients and associates.

e. Interacts with other departments on problem issues.

f. Accepts feedback from patients, visitors, clinic employees, physicians and general public.

3. Continuous Improvement:

a. Continuously looks for and suggests ways to improve.

b. Effectively completes assignment to achieve the greatest benefits at acceptable cost.

c. Implements improvements as appropriate.

d. Demonstrates interest in own growth and development by:

i. Periodically evaluating own performance.

ii. Demonstrating an awareness of personal abilities and limitations.

iii. Independently seeking means to make improvements.

e. Attends and participates in in-services and continuing education programs.

f. Attends departmental meetings.

4. Communications:

a. Keeps appropriate people informed.

b. Speaks and writes clearly, concisely, and appropriately for need.

c. Listen carefully.

d. Communicates tactfully.

e. Understands that all confidentiality and privacy considerations are respected and fostered at work and off duty.

f. Use of personal cell phone is required for clocking in and out of timekeeping system and as a security step for system access as needed.

5. Self -Management:

a. Presents a positive image of Western Wayne Family Health Center at all times.

b. Carries out assignments with little need for direction.

c. Timeliness.

d. Maintains confidentiality.

e. Provides proper notification of absence and tardiness.

f. Works weekends and shifts when necessary.

PART III: EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

1. State of Michigan License as Masters level social worker (LMSW),or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) required.

2. If LPC, certification as LPC Supervisor is preferred.

3. At least 5 years' experience in a mental health discipline, 3 years of relevant experience in the management of behavioral health care services

4. Experience with assessment, screening, and treatment planning for common mental health and/or substance use disorders.

5. Prior SUD experience an asset.

6. Must pass a background check.

7. At least three years of administrative clinical experience.

8. Demonstrated ability to work with professionals of different educational backgrounds and specialty.

9. Must have five plus years of progressive experience in managing clinical services in either a hospital or ambulatory care setting or an equivalent combination of education and related experience. Preference given to experience in public and/or community health and patient population being served at WWFHC.

10. Experience managing/administering telemedicine/telepsychiatry programming is an asset.

11. Prior management and FQHC experience preferred.

PART IV: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Community or public health oriented.

2. Excellent verbal, written and communication skills required.

3. Ability to operate standard office equipment and be proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

4. Working knowledge of evidence-based psychosocial treatments and brief behavioral interventions for common mental health disorders. when appropriate (e.g., motivational interviewing, problem-solving treatment, behavioral activation)

5. Experience with evidence-based psychotherapy techniques.

6. Ability to effectively engage patients in a therapeutic relationship, when appropriate.

7. History of good attendance and positive work attitude.

8. Broad clinical experience working with children and adults preferred.

9. Expertise in community mental health, consultation, and delivery of human services preferred.

10. Must have the ability and experience to institute new, innovative health care programs conversant with the needs of

the patient population being served.

11. Knowledge of and ability to use software used in Health Care settings.

12. Experience using and supervising the use of Electronic Medical Records by providers.

13. Ability to design and manage Quality Assurance programming.

14. Must have adequate transportation to visit the sites of the WWFHC.