Director of Behavioral Health

Gracelight Community Health•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Director of Behavioral Health is a pivotal and transformational leadership role at Gracelight Community Health, responsible for strategically rebuilding, optimizing, and overseeing a comprehensive behavioral health program designed for maximum impact and sustainability. This leader will drive the restructuring of our behavioral health services across all delivery modalities, including established clinics, new mobile units, and emerging facilities, ensuring seamless integration with primary care and Enhanced Care Management (ECM) to meet the complex mental health and substance use needs of our underserved communities. This role demands a visionary and operationally astute licensed behavioral health professional with a proven track record in program turnarounds, a deep commitment to health equity, and the ability to foster strong, collaborative partnerships across all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders. The Director will also play a key role in supporting the education and development of Family Medicine residents in integrated behavioral health care.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling, or a related Behavioral Health field.
Active, unrestricted clinical license in the state of California (e.g., LCSW, LMFT, LPCC).
Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in Behavioral Health, with at least 3-5 years in a significant leadership or senior management role overseeing multiple programs or a large department.
Demonstrated experience in program development, restructuring, or turnaround initiatives within a complex healthcare environment.
Proven ability to manage and lead multidisciplinary teams across different operational sites, including remote or mobile settings.
Extensive experience working in integrated healthcare settings, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), or other community-based health centers.
Deep understanding of behavioral health documentation, compliance, billing, and productivity standards within a value-based care framework.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions to improve program performance and outcomes.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents such as policies and procedures, regulatory guidelines, contracts, and architectural drawings.
Ability to compose professional reports, correspondence, and presentations.
Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, both verbally and in writing, with employees, vendors, regulatory agencies, executive leadership, and the Board of Directors.
Exceptional leadership, team-building, and motivational skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with experience using data to drive program improvement.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and negotiation abilities.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective internal and external partnerships.
Proficiency in Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and other healthcare technology platforms.
Cultural humility and a deep understanding of the social determinants of health affecting underserved populations.
The ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Gracelight practices.
This position requires frequent driving. A valid California driver license, reliable personal vehicle, current personal auto insurance as required by law, and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are all essential job requirements.
A personal cell phone with reliable service and, if applicable, a data plan to use for business purposes.
May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a residency or academic teaching setting.
Familiarity with FQHC standards, and value-based care programs.
Proficiency with EPIC or another electronic health record (EHR) system.
Bilingual in English/Spanish or other languages prevalent in the community.
Experience in a mobile health service delivery model.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan to restructure and revitalize Gracelight's entire Behavioral Health (BH) program, addressing past challenges and setting a new direction for growth, impact, and sustainability.
Lead the design and implementation of an integrated, trauma-informed model of care that spans all Gracelight settings, including fixed clinics, new mobile units, and planned future facilities.
Establish aggressive yet achievable annual goals and performance measures for the Behavioral Health department, ensuring alignment with Gracelight's strategic plan and driving measurable improvements in access, quality, and outcomes.
Champion the full integration of behavioral health into the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model, fostering a culture of holistic, coordinated care across all clinical teams.
Actively contributes to organizational initiatives and partnerships that advance Behavioral Health outcomes, including Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and CalAIM initiatives.
Provide comprehensive operational oversight for all Behavioral Health services, ensuring efficient workflows, optimal provider productivity, and improved patient access across all Gracelight sites and mobile service delivery models.
Drive significant improvements in key operational metrics, including increasing average monthly Behavioral Health visits and reducing the no-show rate through strategic interventions in scheduling optimization, patient reminders, and staff training.
Lead regular, data-driven team meetings focused on continuous quality improvement, care coordination, and achieving superior patient outcomes.
Ensure the consistent and accurate use of reporting tools (such as EPIC dashboards) to monitor department metrics, caseloads, and care delivery in real-time.
Lead the development, launch, and evaluation of new, innovative Behavioral Health services that respond directly to community needs and strategic opportunities (e.g., new group therapies, specialized programs for justice-involved or homeless populations, expanded telehealth, school-based care, or hybrid models).
Oversee the integration of behavioral health services into mobile unit operations, ensuring seamless coordination with mobile primary care and ECM teams.
Build and strengthen robust internal and external referral pathways for more specialized Behavioral Health or substance use services, ensuring continuity of care.
Collaborate closely with medical, nursing, care management, and other interdisciplinary teams to ensure patients receive truly coordinated and complete care across Gracelight's ecosystem.
Drive efforts to improve care quality and meet HEDIS and PCMH performance measures related to Behavioral Health outcomes.
Provide strong, decisive leadership to all Behavioral Health staff, including managers, clinicians, and support personnel. This includes strategic hiring, comprehensive onboarding, ongoing professional development, and rigorous performance management.
As the dedicated Behavioral Health service line leader, fosters a positive, high-performing, team-oriented, and trauma-informed work environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and resilience among staff.
Develop and implement a robust staffing model that effectively supports panel needs, clinical quality, and program growth across all service modalities.
Collaborate strategically with Human Resources on all staff issues, including recruitment, retention, performance, and compliance.
Manage the Behavioral Health department's budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with organizational financial targets.
Identify and pursue opportunities for program growth and diversification, including securing new funding streams, optimizing billing practices, and building partnerships that enhance financial sustainability.
Develop and monitor productivity standards to ensure efficient use of resources and maximize reimbursement potential for services provided.
Oversee clinical quality and compliance of all Behavioral Health services in line with licensing requirements (e.g., DHCS, CDPH), HRSA mandates, NCQA standards, and other relevant regulatory bodies.
Lead or actively participate in systematic quality improvement efforts, using data analytics to identify trends, address root causes of disparities, and drive measurable improvements in access, efficiency, and patient outcomes.
Ensure the department is always prepared for and responsive to audits, grievances, and patient concerns in a timely and professional manner.
Lead the Behavioral Science portion of Gracelight's Family Medicine Residency program, including curriculum planning, didactic teaching, and evaluating educational sessions.
Supervise and support Family Medicine residents in their learning about Behavioral Health, its integration into primary care, and its practical application to patient care.
Respond effectively to Residents’ professional and personal development needs during their training.
Help coordinate educational activities, maintain updated training calendars, and gather feedback to continuously improve the Residency program's Behavioral Health curriculum.