Assistant Behavioral Health Director

Title:  Associate Behavioral Health Director

Department: Behavioral Health

Status: Exempt

Position Classification/Category: Behavioral Health

Level: N/A

Location: Assigned Clinic

Hourly Pay Range:

Reports To: Chief Behavioral Health Officer

Direct Reports: Behavioral Health Clinicians (Licensed); Behavioral Health Clinician Associates (Provisional); Community Health Workers (Certified); Peer Support Specialists (Certified)

Summary of Position

The Associate Behavioral Health Director (ABHD) supports the Behavioral Health Department's goals, operations, and strategic initiatives at CRCHC. Working closely with the Chief Behavioral Health Officer, this role will help oversee the delivery of integrated behavioral health services, ensuring high-quality, patient-centered care within a multidisciplinary framework. The ABHD will lead quality improvement initiatives, provide clinical supervision, manage departmental operations, and play a key role in maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.

The ABHD role is both an administrative and clinical role with approximately 30% of time dedicated to administrative responsibilities and 70% of time dedicated to clinical activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledgeable of assessment, treatment planning and evidence-based practices (EBPs) and counseling modalities for working with complex populations (chronic health conditions, mental health, behavioral health, and substance use).  Experience in the use of motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and strength-based interventions.  Knowledge of and confidence in assessing and diagnosing mental and behavioral health conditions. Ability to interact and render service impartially to diverse populations.  Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to change.  Interacts with respect and in a professional manner with patients, staff, and external customers. Must be able to commute independently between CRCHC sites.  Demonstrate the ability to provide leadership and supervision to a team of mental health professionals and paraprofessionals and to promote interprofessional collaboration and practice.

·         Experience: 2 years' experience working in a Federally Qualified Health Center or similar setting; 3 years' experience with behavioral health evidenced-based practice treatment modalities; 2 years' experience providing clinical supervision

·         Additional skills required: English speaking.  Knowledge of legal and ethical standards for the delivery of behavioral health care.  Excellent leadership and coaching skills.  Strong computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office products.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Able to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team. Able to effectively utilize an electronic health record to document all patient encounters and reports for management of clinical activities.

Additional skills preferred: Spanish language proficiency. 

Education: A master’s or higher degree in Social Work, Counseling, Therapy, or Psychology.

LICENSURE:

Certification(s)/Licensure: Current and unrestricted State of North Carolina license as a LCSW, LCMHC/S, LMFT, or Licensed Psychologist.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

·         Frequent walking, standing, and moving about.

·         Frequently bends, kneels, and crouches.

·         Repetitive movement of hands and fingers – typing and/or writing.

·         Talk and hear.

Key Responsibilities

Administrative Responsibilities

1.       Orients and trains new behavioral health staff to promote alignment with the organization mission, values, and clinical expectations.

2.       Participates in staff meetings, management team meetings, quality meetings, multidisciplinary meetings, or other community-based meetings, as requested or necessary.

3.       Assists in budget planning, management, and reporting for the behavioral health program and initiatives and provides input regarding enhancement and expansion of behavioral health services.

4.       Provides leadership to, develops, and evaluates the skills, abilities, and performance of BHCs, BHC-As, CHWs, CPSSs, and other staff as assigned by the CBHO.

5.       Maintains and promotes support for adherence with Federal and State compliance requirements for FQHC status, attainment of productivity targets, and claim preparation for third-party reimbursement.

6.       Provides, facilitates, and participates in supervision and mentorship to Behavioral Health Clinical staff to ensure utilization of evidence-based treatment modalities, maintenance of highest quality clinical care, and compliance with regulatory and licensing board requirements.

7.       Provides education and in-service training to staff on communication and behavioral/mental health topics relevant to the populations served.

8.       Assists with development of and participates in community outreach activities to promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and educate the public on available services.

9.       Participates in quality improvement activities by initiating or contributing to monitoring, measuring, analyzing, improving, and/or controlling program goals, objectives, and services.

10.    Supports and promotes current incentive, regulatory, and certification requirements (such as Meaningful Use, PCMH, and UDS) through documentation, participation in initiatives, and other activities as directed.

11.    Provides coverage for absent supervisees in groups or individual sessions.

12.    Completes other paperwork as assigned.

13.    Participates in daily huddles and scheduled staffing where education, case consults, and planning for caseloads are provided.

14.    Participates in monthly documentation review and group chart reviews to promote education and improve staff documentation to ensure compliance with licensing, billing, federal, state, organizational, grant funding, and FQHC requirements.

15.    Trains new behavioral health staff on policies and procedures, the electronic health record, Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI), and evidence-based practices.

16.    Works in conjunction with clinical and administrative supervisors to promote and maintain workflow and treatment services and supports development, implementation, and evaluation of clinical protocols and evidence-based practices.

17.    Participates in committees, projects, Performance and Quality Improvement initiative workgroups, and data collection efforts as assigned.

18.    Performs all other duties assigned by management.

Clinical Responsibilities

1.       Provides diagnostic and brief therapeutic client-centered interventions, consultations, education, and referral/linkage services for individuals with emotional, behavioral, medical, mental health, and substance abuse issues.

2.       Counsels, educates, supports, and assists clients and families to gain access to internal and external resources and maintains knowledge of local and regional behavioral health, substance abuse, and psychiatric resources.

3.       Identifies the impact of cultural diversity, trauma, and lifestyle choices on patient conditions and incorporates this understanding into treatment planning using shared decision-making.

4.       Provides crisis intervention services.

5.       Completes and maintains clinical documentation within 72 hours of the close of an encounter.

6.       Ensures appropriate clinical supervision is provided to clinicians based on discipline-specific requirements.

7.       Partners with bilingual staff and interpreters to serve non-English-speaking patients.

8.       Completes assessments, initial treatment plans, and updated treatment plans for individuals receiving treatment in a timely manner.

9.       Provides face-to-face or telehealth behavioral health services in accordance with applicable regulations and telehealth best practices.

10.    Provides crisis assessment and intervention services to patients and caregivers.

11.    Completes necessary documentation in the electronic health record, Level of Care Utilization System, and/or paper chart for admissions, treatment plan reviews, utilization management reauthorizations, and case closures.

12.    Completes required documentation for all services provided, including phone calls and consultations with treatment teams or external entities, within required timelines.