Chief Clinical Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Lifeline Connections is a community-based behavioral health organization that specializes in providing confidential and compassionate care to individuals who experience substance use and/or mental health conditions.

Our Vision - As the premier provider of substance use and mental health services in the Pacific Northwest, we are respected and the most trusted resource for behavioral health treatment and whole-person care. We provide a comprehensive continuum of coordinated quality services, foster enduring relationships, and empower our communities to truly thrive.

Our Mission - Through superior customer service, high quality programs, and well-trained and dedicated staff, we inspire hope and support lifesaving changes for people affected by substance use and mental health conditions.

MAJOR DUTIES: The Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) provides clinical leadership and oversight for all programs/services at Lifeline Connections. The CCO is the most senior clinical representative and is responsible for facilitating a seamless, coordinated continuum of care by providing expectations for quality patient care and superior outcomes, standardizing clinical protocols, streamlining access, documentation for admissions/referrals, processes, and procedures across all programs/services and levels of care. The CCO executes strategic goals and program expansion in accordance with the strategic plan, prioritizing CCBHC designation. The CCO promotes collaboration using a shared and cooperative approach across teams/departments to align programs and services across the agency into a single continuum of care. The CCO builds and maintains positive relationships with agency partners and other local/grassroots organizations ensuring access and continuity of care; serving as a visible and accessible leader in the community. The CCO represents Lifeline Connections with stakeholder groups, such as legislative committees and Washington AAP, and advocates for patient centered care of individuals experiencing behavioral health conditions.

Clinical Operations:

• Provides coaching and supervision of clinical leadership team, ensuring recruitment and retention of department staff. Facilitates and leads clinical department meetings and activities. Through clinical leadership team, oversees the daily operations of programs, directors, and supervisors; oversees the development, implementation, and monitoring of clinical standards for all clinical employees; oversees hiring, orientation, training, development, and overtime of department staff.
  • Ensures appropriate clinical education is available to support the development and continued competencies of clinical staff.
  • Collaborates with human resources and program directors to ensure all staff providing billable services are registered, certified, or licensed as required by the Washington state Department of Health.
• Develops internal and external partnerships, coordinates and aligns initiatives, provides department oversight and support, and resolves problems related to clinical competencies; this includes partnering with internal and external stakeholders to ensure highly effective and efficient care delivery that reduces cost, improves quality outcomes, and delivers an excellent patient experience. maintains working knowledge of all programs/services – including funding/reimbursement, outcomes, contractual obligations, stakeholders, etc.
  • Works with staff to ensure new and existing patients have access to treatment/services in a timely manner and adherence to CCBHC criteria.
• Oversees and ensures clinical programs, services, and projects meet and exceed objectives, goals, outcomes, and contract performance indicators. Continuously evaluates the performance of clinical teams/programs and implements recommendations for changes. O develops and supports internal controls to ensure that policies and operating procedures are followed, necessary controls are effective and efficient.
  • Responsible for identifying and effectively responding to the changing needs of the patients and the community.
  • Strategizes and drives process improvements focused on innovative care delivery and/or operational models designed to improve clinical services, outcomes, and patient safety. Disseminates lessons learned.
  • Establishes a culture of evidence-based decision making.
  • Promotes the use and implementation of technology to streamline operations, facilitate communications, and optimize work processes.
• Available on-call, as necessary.
• Performs other responsibilities as assigned.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

• Supports the achievement of agency goals, including development and implementation of new programs, in coordination and alignment with executive team and strategic plan. Leads the oversight, implementation, integration, and adoption of CCBHC.
  • Collaborates with executive leadership team to provide and evaluate data for service excellence, outcomes, and utilization measurements.
  • Participates and provides reports in executive leadership and board of directors meetings, and other leadership meetings, as necessary.
  • Advocates for patients, family members, community members, and staff.
  • Empowers clinical department to achieve optimal results, leading by example.
  • Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with long-term interests of the organization. Capitalizes opportunities and manages risks.
  • Takes a long-term view and builds a shared vision with others, acts as a catalyst for organizational change. Empowers others to translate vision into action.
  • Develops networks and builds alliances, collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships, and achieve common goals.
  • Positions the organization for future success by identifying new opportunities; builds the organization by developing or improving services. Takes calculated risks to accomplish organizational objectives.

Finance

• Broad working knowledge of financial challenges of administering multiple government and private revenue streams and how effective clinical services impact the outcomes.
• Coordinates with the chief financial officer/finance on developing, monitoring, and analyzing department budgets.
• Ensures that scheduling and clinical workflows are continuously evaluated to identify areas for improvement and any resources needed to support optimal productivity.
• Collaborates with the human resources and finance/RCM to monitor the status of provider insurance enrollment and identify errors that generate delays in payment.

Risk Management, Quality and Compliance (in support of VP of Quality and Corporate Compliance):

• Monitors and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, organization standards, policies, and procedures; and exhibits the value of continuous learning.
• Ensures that continuous quality improvement addresses both client needs and compliance with WACS, RCWS, and federal regulations and supports efforts towards ongoing quality improvement and improvement of treatment outcomes.
• Ensures that the agency treatment programs are maintained in such a way to be in substantial compliance with Washington state Department of Health (DOH), commission on accreditation of rehabilitation facilities (CARF), and other local, state, and federal certification reviews.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

Education and Experience:

• A master’s degree in a healthcare-relevant field with three (3) years of executive management experience in a behavioral health or integrated care setting.
• an active credential as a substance use disorder professional and an active license as a mental health clinician (LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, etc.).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must demonstrate expert-level clinical knowledge and awareness in behavioral health, integrated care, CCBHC, and population health.
• Excellent human relations, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proven track record of driving successful performance outcomes and accomplishing strategic organizational goals.
• Experience anticipating and responding to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong financial and business acumen; knowledge of budgeting and forecasting methodologies.
• Skilled in analyzing and interpreting data and information to make informed decisions.
• Skilled in building partnerships with management, staff, and stakeholders to achieve not only department goals and objectives, but the strategic goals and objectives of the organization.
• Skilled in managing problems and situations where uncertainty is inherent, fostering hope and focusing on solutions.
• Ability to construct new and innovative solutions for complex and varying challenges and situations while considering the larger perspective or context.
• Ability to develop strong, enduring, and trusting relationships.
• Ability to foster the development and empowerment of cohesive teams.
• Experience developing and evaluating best practices and emerging trends for organizational applicability and appropriateness.
• Ability to effectively delegate responsibility and allocate available resources.
• Passionate about continuously improving and providing high quality care and service excellence to patients, families, employees, and our greater community.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Considerable sitting, standing, or walking. Lifts supplies/equipment up to 25 lbs. occasionally. Must possess the ability to utilize solid, sound judgment and work under stress in a busy environment.

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR : PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Salary: $118k-138k annually

Application Process:
To apply electronically for this position, please click "Apply Now" or visit our ADP career center . For more information on this and other positions, please visit our website at

The Benefits:

Lifeline Connections strives to be an employer of choice by offering regular and full-time employees a robust and highly competitive benefits package designed to support both personal and family well-being. Our comprehensive benefits include multiple options for medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.

In addition, Lifeline Connections provides employer-paid Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance , along with access to supplemental coverage options. Full-time employees and eligible part-time employees may also enroll in our 401(k) retirement plan , helping support long-term financial wellness.

Beyond benefits coverage, Lifeline Connections is proud to offer generous paid time off . Both full-time and part-time employees earn PTO at competitive accrual rates that increase with years of service , allowing for meaningful time away from work. Employees also receive paid holidays and personal holidays , reinforcing our commitment to work-life balance and employee well-being.