Director of Integrated Behavioral Health

Description

 Job Type

Full-time

Sacramento, CA • Behavioral Health

Description

 Join Elica’s mission and become a part of a team where every day is an opportunity to make a positive impact in your community!

At Elica Health Centers, we share a common goal: provide the best possible patient care to our growing community! Our passion extends throughout Elica, from the exceptional healthcare services we provide to our underserved patients at our Community Health Clinics and state-of-the-art mobile medicine program, Health on Wheels, to our Resource Center where we empower patients and members of the community to connect with resources to help them build healthy and full lives. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO:  

The Director of Integrated Behavioral Health leads a large department of interdisciplinary behavioral health professionals and support staff, providing strategic direction, clinical input, and operational oversight for all integrated behavioral health-related services at Elica Health Centers. This team encompasses behavioral health clinicians and staff, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and physician assistants, addiction medicine clinicians, substance use disorder (SUD) counselors, referral coordinators, behavioral health coordinators, and similar staff. Their leadership is fundamental in ensuring high-quality, patient-centered behavioral health care within an integrated setting. 

The Director of Integrated Behavioral Health collaborates closely with clinic leadership, primary care providers, and other stakeholders to seamlessly integrate mental health care and SUD treatment into the patient experience. They focus on optimizing workflows, enhancing clinical protocols, and advocating for evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Moreover, the Director of Integrated Behavioral Health fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the mental health team. They are tasked with recruiting, training, and developing a diverse and skilled workforce while promoting a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Leadership & Strategy: 

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for the behavioral health department, including overseeing sustainability and growth.  
• Provides consultation to Elica’s Administration in planning behavioral health services and in developing operating budgets, including but not limited to reimbursement, payer mix, sliding fee scales, salaries, expenses, etc. to ensure the long-term sustainability of the behavioral health services. 
• Recruits and selects behavioral health providers and support staff to ensure that Elica maintains an ongoing operation that can meet the demands of the clinic and its patients.
• Implementation of major organization-wide initiatives pertaining to trauma-informed care, patient experience, empathic communication, and risk management.
• In conjunction with the executive management team, develops standards of care and workflow procedures that facilitate and enhance quality, efficiency, employee and patient satisfaction and support the organization's fiscal health.
• Establish policies and procedures for behavioral health services to meet all regulatory/licensing requirements; Ensure the smooth operation of behavioral health services to meet standards of care.
• Establishes Standards of Care and Quality Assurance & Improvement Program for Behavioral Health Services. 
• Recommends and interprets Behavioral Health clinical and quality objectives and oversees the Behavioral Health quality program, including, but not limited to, the behavioral health clinical measures required by regulatory agencies for grants, certifications, and health plan participation or incentive payments.
• Represents behavioral health perspectives and opinions in administrative matters and advises on information system needs.
• Advocates for the organization and serves as a liaison to local and state professionals, as appropriate.
• Participates in provider meetings, QA meetings, leadership team meetings, and advisory board meetings as requested by the Chief Medical Officer.

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Provides direct patient care service as a part of a regular weekly schedule,  including psychosocial assessment and referral, behavioral interventions, education, and short-term psychotherapy to adult and pediatric primary care patients with mental health, substance abuse, and medical compliance issues.
• Oversees all clinical supervision of clinical staff to ensure a high quality of care related to behavioral health services and to establish and maintain behavioral health department policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Ensures the department’s and providers' cultural humility and culturally responsive treatment are part of quality services. 
• Provides consultation to medical providers regarding the behavioral health components of a patient’s presentation, and develops collaborative plans to address symptoms and enhance functioning.

Quality & Team-Building: 

• Train and develop a diverse and skilled workforce, including behavioral health providers, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and physician assistants, addiction medicine clinicians, SUD counselors, and relevant support staff. 
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the mental health team.
• Develop and promote quality improvement projects, with the assistance of quality and reporting personnel, utilizing standard quality tools such as PDSA templates; apply CQI principles to workflow, quality metrics, and Elica's other priorities.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral health services, implementing necessary adjustments to meet evolving patient needs, policy environments, and the evolution of the evidence base.
• Conducts regular performance evaluations of team members, ensuring timely feedback.
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered behavioral health care services, ensuring integration with other core services.
• Collaborate closely with clinic leadership, primary care providers, and other stakeholders to optimize workflows and enhance clinical protocols.
• Promote evidence-based practices and initiatives aimed at improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.
• As needed, serve as a liaison between the mental health team and other departments or external organizations. Participate as an essential contributor in budget planning and management activities related to mental health services.

Compliance & Ethics: 

• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, standards, and behavioral health care delivery policies.
• Member of the Patient-Provider Relations Committee; gives timely input and advice to the committee regarding issues related to patient complaints or grievances and provider issues based on ethics and safety. Works closely with the Patient Advocates to quickly resolve any problems; oversees peer and other chart review whenever requested or deemed necessary. 
• Consults with the Medical Records Department and Elica Legal team in cases of questions regarding the release of patient mental health records to external agencies/individuals. Performs other tasks and duties as assigned. 

Requirements

•  Education 
  • Master's degree in social work or a doctoral degree in psychology. Current licensure as a mental health professional (e.g., psychologist, licensed clinical social worker).
• Experience
  • A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral/ mental health care, including leadership roles in integrated care settings or similar healthcare environments, is required. Certification or experience in the substance use disorder treatment field is preferred. Bilingualism is also preferred.
• Knowledge of
  • Relevant regulations, standards, and policies governing mental health care delivery.
  • Budget planning and management processes related to mental health programs and services.
  • Program evaluation and quality improvement processes to assess and enhance the effectiveness of mental health programs and service

   Essential Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership abilities with a proven track record of effectively managing and motivating interdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including clinic leadership, primary care providers, and external partners.
• In-depth knowledge of mental health care delivery models, including integrated care within primary care settings.
• Proficiency in strategic planning and developing and implementing initiatives to improve mental health care services.
• Understanding of evidence-based practices and the ability to promote their adoption and implementation within the mental health team.
• Experience in recruiting, training, and developing a diverse workforce, focusing on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Knowledge of relevant regulations, standards, and policies governing mental health care delivery, with a commitment to ensuring compliance.
• Ability to adapt to change and effectively navigate complex organizational environments.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development in the field of mental health care.
• Good computer and technology skills, including Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; experience with Electronic Health Record systems 

Additional Requirements:

• Must have a current and valid California driver’s license and the ability to provide proof of personal auto insurance on the vehicle driven during working hours. 
• Potential Scheduled Hours 
  • Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM; partial telework schedule negotiable
  • 40 hours per week 
• Travel: 5-10% of the time; may need to travel to any Elica site to meet with team members or other stakeholders; potential need to travel off-site for community meetings and events; possible travel for conferences within California and out of state

Physical Requirements:The work environment is characteristic of the healthcare facility environment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to handle or lift. The employee is also required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must also possess hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the phone. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderately loud; incumbent must be able to focus in an environment with many distractions.The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves or their homes. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care. The employee may also be exposed to bodily fluids (blood, urine) and hazardous chemicals. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary : $127,000 - $179,000