Associate Behavioral Health Director

Internal•Bellingham, WA

5d•$146,739 - $168,749

About The Position

The Associate Behavioral Health Director is a permanent, full-time professional staff position reporting to the Director of the Student Health Center (SHC). This role combines direct psychiatric clinical care with administrative oversight of WWU’s psychiatric and behavioral healthcare services in the Student Health Center. The director is responsible for delivering psychiatric evaluations and medication management to students, managing the day-to-day operations of the SHC Behavioral Health team, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards, and contributing to strategic planning and community engagement efforts. This position plays a central role in facilitating integrated, accessible, and high-quality behavioral health care that meets the needs of WWU’s diverse student population.

Requirements

Board Certified Psychiatrist or Doctoral level Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Minimum of three years of administrative experience in a healthcare setting, including supervision
Current unrestricted Washington State license or ability to be licensed by time of hire in Washington State, with maintenance of continuing education requirements
Current DEA registration
Current CPR certification
Demonstrated clinical experience diagnosing, treating, and managing acute and chronic psychiatric conditions
Experience conducting mental health risk assessments and providing crisis intervention
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Experience with electronic health records and ability to manage care through telemedicine
Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
A strong commitment to creating a culturally responsive environment for staff and students, and the development of cultural engagement and responsiveness skills
Strong commitment to patient-centered care, staff wellness, and equity.
Maintains CPR/BLS certification
Maintains license and remains in good standing with the State of Washington
Successful fit testing and the ability to wear a N95 mask for several hours
Maintains Tetanus, pertussis and influenza vaccinations
Proof of measles, mumps, rubella, hep B & varicella immunity
The successful candidate must be eligible to participate in federal healthcare programs.
Finalists will be screened against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals/Entities and the Washington State Health Care Authority Provider Termination and Exclusion List.
Individuals who are excluded from participation in these programs are not eligible for hire or continued employment.
All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Experience with behavioral health integration
Five or more years of experience in inpatient or outpatient mental health clinical settings as a prescribing provider
Experience in college or university health settings
Demonstrated success implementing policies, procedures, and clinical workflows
Experience training and mentoring psychiatric prescribers, psychiatrists, and/or behavioral health counselors.
Experience interpreting and applying healthcare policies, protocols, and accreditation standards
Demonstrated ability to advance equity and support the development of students who are disabled, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, undocumented, and other underrepresented student groups, including students who hold multiple marginalized identities
Ability to provide effective leadership in support of staff learning, development, retention, and recruitment with awareness and sensitivity to the needs of diverse student populations
Familiarity with AAAHC or similar clinical accreditation standards

Responsibilities

Direct Clinical Services: Psychiatric assessment, diagnosis and treatment for a wide variety of mental health conditions, including complex bipolar and psychotic disorders.
Provide prescription and medication oversight and consult for crisis intervention.
Obtain medical history, perform physical assessment, establish diagnoses, provide medical consultations, order and interpret lab and other studies, arrange consultations.
Prescribe medications or other treatments and arrange follow-up for patients based upon diagnoses.
Help to arrange emergency care and hospitalization when appropriate.
Accurately and fully document histories, physical exams, behavioral observations, diagnoses, telephone consultations and treatments according to clinical and medical records protocols.
Personally review and electronically sign all reports of labs and other tests, consultation reports and transferred medical records.
Regularly update each patient's electronic chart as indicated.
Facilitate referrals, coordinate care across campus and community services.
Provide on call coverage on a rotating schedule for psychiatric concerns including medication refills, critical lab results, and calls from community providers
Program Management, Administration and Collaboration: Oversee day-to-day operations of the SHC's behavioral health services including direct supervision of Behavioral health counseling and nursing staff and psychiatric prescribers (currently psychiatric nurse practitioners and temporary psychiatrists)
Work collaboratively with the Counseling and Wellness Center to integrate behavioral health services
Formulate, implement, and monitor behavioral health policies and procedures in compliance with AAAHC accreditation and state regulations
Serve on the Integrated Behavioral Health Team and on the SHC Governing Body
Plan and implement behavioral health in-service trainings and staff development
Provide consultation, support, and clinical oversight to SHC staff and psychiatric consultants
Monitor suicide and substance use screening protocols in coordination with campus partners
Analyze and report behavioral health utilization and outcomes data to inform resource allocation and service model adjustments
Conduct work assignments in support of an inclusive environment for staff and students, the development of cultural competency skills, and the delivery of programs that support the diversity objectives of the campus community
Serve as primary behavioral health liaison to campus partners (Counseling and Wellness Center, Office of Student Life, Disability Access Center, Student Care and Concern Team)
Maintain collaborative relationships with community mental health and healthcare providers (e.g., PeaceHealth, Sea Mar, UnityCare NW)
Participate in university-wide behavioral health coordination and outreach efforts
Leadership and Strategic Planning: Participate in SHC leadership team activities and provide input on strategic goals related to student mental health
Supervise psychiatric providers and behavioral health counselors at the SHC, including scheduling, timesheet approvals, evaluations, performance monitoring and improvement plans, and other supervisory tasks
Contribute to clinical staff hiring processes, workforce planning, and initiatives to improve access to mental health services
Provide subject matter expertise in behavioral health during program evaluations, committee work, and policy development
Foster a professional work environment that is collaborative, caring, and supports student and staff well-being
Perform other duties as assigned by the Director