Behavioral Health Program Director

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

21h•$71,444 - $91,347•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Colorado College of Nursing is hiring a full-time Behavioral Health Program Director for Sheridan Health Services (SHS), a nurse-managed federally qualified health center in southwest Denver. The position is clinic-based and offers a hybrid schedule, with three days per week on campus and in-person attendance as needed. It is part of the Clinical Practice Faculty Series; faculty rank—Instructor, Senior Instructor, or Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice—is based on experience and qualifications. The role is part of the SHS senior leadership team and combines administrative program leadership with direct patient care, each accounting for 0.50 FTE. The director helps ensure high-quality integrated care, sound fiscal management, productivity, and improved health outcomes, and advises on the integration of primary care and behavioral health. Sheridan Health Services serves adults and children in the Denver-area community and provides primary care, prenatal and postpartum care, women’s health, dentistry, pharmacy, behavioral health, and outpatient substance-use treatment. It is a Patient-Centered Medical Home that places patients and their values and beliefs at the center of care. The director oversees the creation, implementation, and management of programs in the behavioral health service line; manages fiscal expenditures; and supervises behavioral health providers and the Behavioral Health Patient Navigator. The position ensures programs operate within budgeted revenues and meet productivity goals, and identifies and responds to potential revenue opportunities such as grants, contracts, managed-care contracts, and governmental relations. The director also provides direct behavioral health care, including brief therapy and screening in an integrated medical setting for patients across the lifespan, outpatient therapy, crisis intervention, care coordination, skill building, and psychoeducation. Accurate and timely documentation is required. The position leads behavioral health audit and compliance activities in collaboration with the leadership team, ensuring services meet state, federal, University of Colorado, payer, and funder requirements. It also participates in community outreach to increase access and reduce barriers to care and establishes and maintains community partnerships. The duties may change according to business needs. The role requires an applicable graduate degree, current clinical licensure (with Colorado licensure by the date of hire), and at least four years of post-graduate direct-care experience and one year of clinical-supervision experience. Faculty rank requirements differ: Instructor and Senior Instructor require a master’s degree in a specified discipline or a doctorate in psychology; Assistant Professor requires a doctorate in a specified discipline. Senior Instructor and Assistant Professor candidates must also demonstrate leadership and experience collaborating with academic colleagues and students in practice activities. Additional conditions include obtaining required provider credentials and maintaining current credentialing and BLS/CPR certification. The position may involve exposure to biological hazards and infectious diseases and requires rotating designated weeknight coverage until 6 p.m. for extended hours. The University offers medical, dental, disability, life, and vision insurance; retirement contributions; paid leave and holidays; tuition benefits; and a reduced-rate transit pass. The position also includes an annual administrative stipend of $10,000. Health care provider positions at SHS may qualify for federal and state loan repayment programs.

Requirements

For Instructor or Senior Instructor: a master’s degree from an accredited institution in social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy, or a doctorate in psychology (PhD or PsyD).
For Assistant Professor: a doctorate from an accredited institution in social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or psychology (PhD or PsyD).
Current, good-standing licensure as a clinical social worker (LCSW), professional counselor (LPC), marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or psychologist (LP); Colorado licensure is required by the date of hire.
Four years of post-graduate experience providing direct patient care services.
One year of experience as a clinical supervisor.
For Senior Instructor and Assistant Professor: demonstrated leadership in the area of practice and demonstrated experience collaborating with academic colleagues and students in practice activities.
Obtain a valid NPI number by the date of hire.
Obtain a valid Colorado Medicaid Provider number within 30 days of the hire date.
Complete CAQH by the date of hire.
Remain credentialed by all necessary parties and keep credentialing materials current.
Obtain and maintain current BLS/CPR certification by the date of hire.
Willingness and ability to work in a normal patient-care environment with some exposure to biological hazards and infectious diseases.
Willingness and ability to work until 6 p.m. on designated weeknights in rotation with other providers.
Ability to establish program goals and objectives, evaluate progress, and manage multiple clinical program sites efficiently.
Skill in providing administrative and clinical supervision to behavioral health staff and trainees.
Ability to lead teams, foster collaboration, and build a cohesive, high-functioning work environment.
Expertise in clinical assessment and therapeutic interventions with individuals and groups.
Knowledge of primary care–behavioral health integration, including co-located and fully integrated service models and population-based interventions.
Medical literacy, including familiarity with common medical terminology, first-line psychiatric medications, and interdisciplinary treatment-team dynamics.
Knowledge of cultural, social, and economic factors affecting diverse populations and ability to apply culturally responsive practices.
Commitment to cultural responsiveness in clinical practice and leadership.
Knowledge of requirements for clinical program oversight, billing, reporting, and compliance with state, federal, and payer standards.
Ability to lead quality improvement activities and help staff meet quality and documentation standards.
Skill in collecting, interpreting, and using data for reporting and program improvement.
Strong communication skills, including presenting information, providing consultation, and navigating conflict resolution.
Ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with patients, families, staff, faculty, and community partners.
Ability to document accurately and efficiently in an electronic health record and use clinic software systems.
Ability to provide services on virtual platforms and deliver telehealth care when required.
Ability to set, maintain, and achieve productivity expectations for self and team.
Strong initiative and independent work skills, and ability to address issues proactively.
Submit a letter of interest describing relevant experience and interest in the position, and a curriculum vitae or resume.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a primary-care or school-based health center using a brief service-delivery model.
Conversational Spanish/English bilingual skills in a clinical setting.
Credentialing as a certified addiction specialist (CAS) or licensure as an addiction counselor (LAC).
Experience as a preceptor or clinical supervisor of students, behavioral health trainees, or interns.
Experience navigating program compliance and audits, with evidence of billing and reporting experience.
Experience with family or couples therapy.

Responsibilities

Provide programmatic oversight for creating, implementing, and managing clinical programs within the behavioral health service line.
Oversee fiscal expenditures and ensure behavioral health programs operate within budgeted revenues and meet productivity goals.
Supervise behavioral health providers and the Behavioral Health Patient Navigator.
Identify and respond to potential revenue opportunities, including grants, contracts, managed-care contracts, and governmental relations.
Provide direct patient care for 0.50 FTE, including brief behavioral health therapy and screenings in an integrated medical setting for patients across the lifespan.
Deliver outpatient behavioral health services, including individual therapy, crisis intervention, care coordination, skill building, and psychoeducation.
Complete documentation accurately, on time, and in accordance with clinic policies and professional standards, including notes, referrals, follow-up tasks, and required paper records.
Lead audit and compliance activities, in collaboration with the leadership team, to ensure adherence to state, federal, University of Colorado, payer, and funder requirements.
Participate in community outreach to increase access to care, reduce barriers to treatment, and advance the mission and vision of Sheridan Health Services.
Establish and maintain community partnerships.
Set and achieve productivity expectations for self and team and support quality improvement and documentation standards.
Work until 6 p.m. on designated weeknights in rotation with other providers for extended hours.