Director, Behavioral Health

Chicago Family Health Center•Chicago, IL

About The Position

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Director of Behavioral Health to lead our mental health and wellness initiatives. This leadership role offers an exciting opportunity to shape and enhance behavioral health services, ensuring high-quality care and positive outcomes for our community. The ideal candidate will bring strategic vision, operational expertise, and a passion for improving mental health services.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related behavioral health field required (or equivalent combination of education and experience consistent with licensure requirements).
Minimum of 7–10 years progressive behavioral health experience with demonstrated leadership responsibility; experience with integrated care and/or community health settings strongly preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of management/leadership experience overseeing multidisciplinary teams.
Demonstrated success in program development, workflow implementation, performance improvement, and staff supervision.
Experience with population health strategies, quality metrics, and evidence-based behavioral health models (e.g., SBIRT, CoCM, measurement-based care).
Strong knowledge of clinical documentation standards, compliance, and risk management principles in ambulatory healthcare settings.
Proficiency with EHR documentation and data-informed decision-making.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a team setting.
Ability to maintain effective and professional relationships with patients and other members of the care team.
Comfort working in a medical setting as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Strong communication and business acumen.
Ability to effectively engage patients in a therapeutic relationship, when appropriate.
Experience with screening, assessing, and carrying out treatment plans for common mental health disorders.
Working knowledge of differential diagnosis of common mental health disorders.
Working knowledge of evidence-based psychosocial treatments for common mental health disorders.
Ability to appropriately handle confrontation and conflict.
Ability to work independently and to seek consultation as necessary.
Ability to follow organization and departmental processes and procedures.
Ability to work in a high stress/fast paced/high work volume environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading behavioral health services in an FQHC, safety-net, or integrated primary care environment.
Experience with substance use programming, partnerships, and community-based referrals across levels of care.
Training and/or certification in evidence-based modalities and supervision practices.
Experience in working with a diverse population base preferred.

Responsibilities

Integrated Primary Care–Behavioral Health (PC-BH)
Serve as a core member of the primary care team, consulting with PCPs, MAs, PSRs, Care Navigators, Care Managers, RNs, and others.
Respond to warm hand-offs and provide timely BH consultation/interventions in the primary care setting.
Conduct SBIRT and other brief interventions for patients presenting with BH needs.
Participate in interdisciplinary case rounding to create/modify care plans.
Strategic Leadership & Service Line Development
In Collaboration with the CBHO, lead the vision, strategy, and operational execution for behavioral health services in alignment with CFHC’s mission and whole-person care model.
Identify opportunities to expand BH programming, improve patient access, and strengthen care pathways for high-acuity and vulnerable populations.
Develop, implement, and continuously improve clinical and operational workflows for integrated primary care-behavioral health services.
People Leadership, Supervision, and Workforce Development
Provide clinical and administrative leadership for BH Providers and behavioral health support staff (BHCCs, Navigators, etc.).
Foster a learning, inclusive, and accountable work environment; provide regular coaching and timely feedback.
Conduct performance evaluations, support professional development, and implement growth/advancement opportunities.