ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Description

CLASSIFICATION/STATUS: Exempt, Full Time, Permanent

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Director of Behavioral Health & Psychiatry

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Behavioral Health Staff as assigned

WORK LOCATION: Hybrid (Onsite 4 days/week)

SALARY BAND: Clinical Band F ($91,500 to $108,000 annual)

WHO YOU ARE:

YOUR ROLE & IMPACT

The mission of Charles River Community Health (CRCH) is to partner with individuals and families so they can thrive and lead healthier lives by delivering the comprehensive, integrated, and equitable primary healthcare that matters most to them. CRCH is seeking an Associate Director of Behavioral Health to provide clinical and operational leadership within our growing Behavioral Health and Psychiatry Department at our two locations in Brighton and Waltham. Reporting directly to the Director of Behavioral Health and Psychiatry, the Associate Director of Behavioral Health will serve as a key member of departmental leadership and will support the day-to-day operations, clinical quality, supervision, and continued development of behavioral health services across CRCH

The Associate Director of Behavioral Health is an experienced behavioral health clinician and a leader who is passionate about providing high-quality, equitable behavioral health care in a diverse community health setting. The individual in this role brings strong clinical judgment, a collaborative leadership style, and experience supporting clinicians in their professional development. This role involves building systems, improving workflows, and partnering across disciplines to improve access and outcomes for patients. The Associate Director of Behavioral Health will be part of an exciting, fast-paced practice with a strong mission and commitment to providing high quality care.

• CRCH offers excellent supervision towards licensure, along with opportunities for professional growth.
• We are passionate about serving those who need it most, and this position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a diverse, inclusive environment.
• Eligibility to participate in MA Loan Repayment Program, which offers educational loan repayment incentives to health professionals to practice in community health centers.
• Eligibility for additional CME hours for professional development opportunities.
• Eligibility to participate in an employee bonus program

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Associate Director of Behavioral Health is a hybrid clinical and leadership position and will work at our sites in Brighton and Waltham. The role is anticipated to consist of approximately 60% direct clinical care and 40% administrative, supervisory, and program leadership responsibilities (approximately 24 hours and 16 hours per week, respectively). This allocation may vary based on departmental staffing, patient access needs, program growth, and other operational priorities.

Department and Clinical Leadership (40%)

• Provide individual and/or group clinical supervision to Behavioral Health Clinicians, interns, trainees, and other staff as assigned.
• Provide clinical consultation, coaching, and mentorship related to complex cases, risk assessment, crisis intervention, documentation, caseload management, and professional development.
• Support onboarding, orientation, training, and ongoing development of new hires.
• Promote evidence-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate care.
• Support clinical quality through chart review, peer review, documentation standards, treatment planning, safety planning, and other quality assurance activities.
• Partner closely with the Director of Behavioral Health and Psychiatry in the day-to-day management and operations of the department.
• Support oversight and improvement of departmental performance, including access, productivity, quality, documentation, patient experience, and continuity of care.
• Assist with development and implementation of departmental policies, procedures, clinical workflows, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Participate in departmental and organizational meetings and initiatives.
• Promote a collaborative, accountable, inclusive, and psychologically safe team culture.
• Support continued integration of behavioral health services within CRCH’s primary care model.
• Collaborate closely with Medical Providers, Psychiatry, Nursing, Care Management, Population Health, and other departments to improve coordination of behavioral and physical health care.
• Support Behavioral Health clinicians providing integrated and same-day behavioral health interventions.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with external behavioral health providers, hospitals, schools, community agencies, and other referral partners.
• Represent the Behavioral Health Department in interdisciplinary meetings and organizational initiatives as assigned by the Director of Behavioral Health and Psychiatry.
• Provide leadership coverage and decision-making support in the Director of Behavioral Health and Psychiatry’s absence within delegated responsibilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Behavioral Health and Psychiatry or designee.

Direct Clinical Care (60%)

• Maintain a clinical caseload consistent with the anticipated 60% clinical allocation of the position.
• Provide behavioral health assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and care coordination across the lifespan, with particular competence in working with children, adolescents, and families.
• Deliver evidence-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate interventions.
• Provide support for urgent or complex behavioral health needs as appropriate.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record and facilitate referrals to external services when clinically indicated.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS, TRAITS & COMPETENCIES

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related behavioral health discipline required.
• Current independent Massachusetts behavioral health licensure (LICSW, LMHC, psychologist, or equivalent) required. LICSW or a Psychologist highly preferred.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese highly preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-graduate experience, preferably in outpatient behavioral health, community mental health, FQHC, or integrated primary care setting required.
• Experience providing clinical supervision, consultation, mentorship, program leadership, or staff management.
• Demonstrated experience working with children, adolescents, and families.
• Strong knowledge of behavioral health assessment, diagnosis, suicide risk assessment, safety planning, crisis intervention, and evidence-based treatment.
• Experience working collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience with integrated behavioral health/primary care models.
• Strong clinical judgment and demonstrated ability to provide consultation regarding complex patient situations.
• Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive care and experience serving diverse and historically underserved populations.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and balance clinical, supervisory, and operational responsibilities.
• Ability to complete and oversee accurate and timely documentation within an electronic health record.
• Experience working with BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ communities, immigrant communities, individuals affected by trauma, and patients experiencing mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• Commitment to CRCH’s mission and passion for serving underserved populations in diverse community settings.

SCHEDULE & LOCATION

CRCH clinics operate from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Fridays. This position requires flexibility to support departmental and patient-care needs, including participation in evening coverage as appropriate.

The Associate Director will support Behavioral Health operations across CRCH’s Brighton and Waltham locations. Hybrid work may be available in accordance with departmental and organizational policies and operational needs.

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

Charles River Community Health’s mission is to partner with individuals and families so they can thrive and lead healthier lives by delivering the comprehensive, integrated, and equitable primary healthcare that matters most to them.

CRCH is a comprehensive practice providing medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, optical, and vision services to diverse underserved local communities. We serve over 14,000 patients annually, and 90% of those served are low income, while over 70% need services in a language other than English.

We are committed to providing patients with timely access to the right care, at the right place and at the right time; collaborating with other organizations to connect patients with a comprehensive range of services and provide continuity of care; and creating new community partnerships to meet the changing needs of patients and the community.

We value caring for everyone with dignity, respect, and compassion, reducing cultural, financial, and other barriers to care, and eliminating healthcare disparities for our patients. We also advocate for the needs of our patients, the community, and public health causes.

OUR PROMISE

If you are passionate about clinical leadership, developing behavioral health professionals, strengthening integrated care, and improving access to behavioral health services for diverse communities, you will find your career as Associate Director of Behavioral Health rewarding and impactful. You will also find a partner in your professional development and career trajectory.

OUR BENEFITS & PERKS

• Medical, Vision & Dental Insurance
• Short- term & Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tickets at Work
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement
• Travel Reimbursement
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Continuing education and professional development support
• Strong track record of developing and promoting employees internally

Charles River Community Health is strongly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates, and values employee differences and similarities. By providing and supporting a work culture that fosters and builds upon diversity and its strengths, CRCH will better serve our local communities and continue to provide quality patient care and services.

CRCH is an employment-at-will organization and an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, CRCH prohibits retaliation against an applicant or employee because he or she has engaged in protected activity under the statutes prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.