Director of Behavioral Health - Clinical

The Director of Behavioral Health, Clinical provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for clinical behavioral health services, integrating clinical, psychiatric, and substance use disorder services across the organization. This role ensures high-quality, person-centered care within a trauma-informed, culturally competent framework and aligns programs with the mission and vision of Cherry Health.

The Director is responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation and management of integrated and contractual behavioral health services across the organization, providing day to day leadership and oversight of clinical services including supervision of direct services performed by therapists, peers and other clinical team members; ensuring quality standards are achieved; facilitate program development, implementation, and evaluation of clinical programming; delivery of treatment services; participation in agency and contractual administrative responsibilities; and the ongoing assessment of all Behavioral Health programs under the purview of the Director.

Welcome to Cherry Health - video about Cherry Health

Who we are:

Cherry Health, Michigan’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), operates in six counties across the state, is based in Grand Rapids. With a team of more than 800 health care professionals at 20 locations, Cherry Health focuses on removing barriers, expanding access, and delivering comprehensive quality health care services to underserved communities, regardless of an individual’s insurance status or ability to pay. We provide primary care, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy services, substance abuse services, school based health centers and more.

Our Mission: 

Cherry Health improves the health and wellness of individuals by providing comprehensive primary and behavioral health care while encouraging access by those who are underserved.

Our Vision: 

Our community will be healthier because we will seek out and welcome those who need our services. All will be treated as family with integrated, coordinated care to improve health and personal well-being.

Our Values:

• Collaboration – Support the Cherry Health mission by encouraging teamwork to accomplish organizational goals.
• Customer Service – Serve internal and external customers in a welcoming manner with compassionate care.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Build a stronger culture through treating all patients and staff with respect, dignity and compassion.
• Innovation – Embrace creativity to improve patient care and workplace efficiency while remaining curious and open to learning.
• Integrity – Uphold the highest ethical standards by being honest and trustworthy.
• Professionalism – Create a positive work environment where we care accountable for our decision, our action and the results.

Requirements:

• Fully licensed Master’s degree in social work, counseling or psychology from an accredited university. Must hold degree and licensure commensurate with clinical supervision requirements for Behavioral Health therapists. 

• A minimum of seven to ten years’ experience in a behavioral health setting is required, including at least three years’ experience providing clinical supervision and leadership. Thorough knowledge of behavioral health and substance use disorder principals including intervention techniques and practices and their application to complex casework, group work, and community problems required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of a wide range of behavioral, mental health, and substance use disorders and their diagnosis and treatment.
• Ability to supervise, train or instruct service line team members in the program, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and their families.
• Participation in identifying grant funding; and implementation and management of grant awards required.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with organizational leadership to develop and implement integrated healthcare priorities, including day-to-day leadership providing advice, guidance, direction, and authorization to achieve the clinical and administrative goals and objectives of the department.
• Champion the development and implementation of new services and programs, including grants and contractual opportunities.
• Advanced knowledge of behavioral health principles, substance use disorders, and integrated care models.
• Ensure compliance with FQHC regulations, HRSA Guidelines, and accreditation standards (e.g., CARF, AAAHC).
• Maintain knowledge of and adherence to all federal, state organizational, and contracted service providers policies and regulations.
• Ensures regulatory standards and best practice guideline changes occur at the department level.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) clinical standards set by SAMSHA and the State of Michigan.
• May provide direct patient care and treatment as necessary.
• Provides clinical supervision to and oversees direct services by Behavioral Health Clinical Managers and clinicians
• In collaboration with site level managers, act as the Site Placement Coordinator for the MSW Internship Program
  • Works with therapists, community health workers and peer advocates to advocate and create linkage with other community resources regarding complex client and or family needs involving coordination of clinical care with other community agencies.
• Participates in clinical consult meetings as appropriate.
• In collaboration with the Director of Behavioral Health – Operations:
  • Works to develop departmental goals for increased productivity, improved efficiencies, and enhanced patient experience.
  • Ensures adherence to all Behavioral Health contractual requirements.
  • Manage and oversee behavioral health-related grants, including developing budgets, identifying funding opportunities, and attending grantor meetings.
  • Ensure departmental scheduling meets client and agency needs.
• Attend all required leadership meetings.
• Participates in organization wide activities related to Behavioral Health.
• Participates in the interviewing, hiring and corrective action process of departmental staff.
• Participates in training and development activities for Behavioral Health staff, regarding state, federal and other assistance programs and Evidence-based practices (EBPs).
• Represents the agency in the external professional community.
• Cultivates positive relationships with and maintains an environment of collaboration/integration at all levels of the organization.
• Conducts and participate in Quality Improvement departmental reviews, reports, and projects.
• Must immediately inform Chief Operating Officer of any potential or actual malpractice claims and adverse actions taking by any licensing/credentialing body.
• Assists with all legal, licensing, regulatory, and certification activities for Behavioral Health services, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits:

Cherry Health has excellent benefit offerings, check out a sample of the benefits available to our team members below!

• 3 Medical Insurance Plan options for you and your family
• Dental and Vision Insurance Plans with providers across the State of Michigan
• Generous Paid Time Off benefit that includes 7 paid full day holidays (Including Black Friday!) and 2 half day paid holidays!
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan 
• MET and MESP 529 Savings Plans
• Pet Insurance!
• Vendor discounts and much more!

Deadline:

We are accepting applications for this position until the position is filled.

Our policy is to offer all employees and applicants for employment equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, or any other protected category.