Mental Health Center Director

State of Connecticut•Danbury, CT

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is hiring a Mental Health Center Director for the Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN). The position provides administrative oversight and management of day-to-day clinical and facility operations at three sites in Danbury, Torrington, and Waterbury, and includes leadership of and participation in agency committees. The Director provides on-call clinical consultation during evenings and weekends regarding emerging clinical issues, assessments, and staffing issues, and may provide broader coverage for agency functions when the Chief Executive Officer is absent. The role directs, plans, coordinates, and monitors the development and delivery of services to individuals. It oversees clinical programs and facility operations, supports clinical directors, promotes evidence-based practices, and helps ensure that the agency meets Joint Commission standards for behavioral health care. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with travel throughout Danbury, Torrington, and Waterbury. Evening and weekend on-call coverage is required. WCMHN coordinates clinical, fiscal, and administrative oversight of state-operated and contracted mental health services in Region 5. Its three state-operated Local Mental Health Authorities provide and coordinate local clinical services. More than 200 staff serve approximately 7,000 clients through programs including peer support, recovery services, supported employment, homeless services, residential and crisis services, jail diversion, outpatient care, case management, Assertive Community Treatment Teams, and young adult services.

Requirements

Master’s degree or higher in a health-related field.
At least five years of managerial experience in hospital, health, or mental health administration.
Considerable knowledge of the full continuum of mental health services, including outpatient, day treatment, and residential services.
Knowledge of mental health program planning and development.
Knowledge of the contributions of various clinical disciplines to treatment of people with mental illness.
Knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and practices.
Knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations.
Knowledge of budgeting and financial reporting principles and techniques as related to health care.
Considerable interpersonal skills.
Oral and written communication skills.
Incumbents may be required to possess an appropriate current license in clinical social work, marital and family therapy, professional counseling, registered nursing, clinical psychology, alcohol and drug abuse counseling, medicine, or psychiatry.
Incumbents may be required to travel.
Must undergo a comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, upon a conditional offer of employment.
Must adhere to Connecticut’s Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing behavioral health clinical operations, including risk management.
Experience managing facility operations in an outpatient behavioral health care setting.
Experience with Joint Commission standards for behavioral health care, including clinical standards and safety/environment of care.
Experience organizing, analyzing, and interpreting clinical outcomes data.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative oversight and management of day-to-day clinical and facility operations at all three WCMHN sites.
Provide consistent oversight of clinical programs across all three sites.
Provide direct clinical consultation and coordinate the sites’ clinical directors.
Set the agenda for and facilitate the agency’s Operations Workgroup.
Facilitate the agency’s Threat Assessment Team.
Oversee the agency’s participation in statewide utilization management of residential bed usage.
Assess clinical need for and coordinate use of Discretionary Dollars for specialized care.
Oversee implementation and sustainability of evidence-based practices across the sites.
Oversee facility operations, including the Safety & Health Committee, emergency management and continuous operations protocols, and site maintenance and construction projects.
Improve agency practices to meet Joint Commission clinical and environmental standards for behavioral health care.
Provide on-call clinical consultation during evenings and weekends regarding emerging clinical issues, assessments, and staffing issues.
Provide more comprehensive coverage for agency functions in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer.
Direct, plan, and coordinate delivery of services to individuals.
Direct and participate in planning and developing clinical programs to meet the needs of individuals served by the agency.
Direct and participate in monitoring and evaluating clinical programs to maintain a high standard of care consistent with Joint Commission and other accreditation requirements.
Direct preparation of the facility budget.
Direct and coordinate administrative and support services through department heads.
Preside at administrative conferences with department heads to formulate policies.
Ensure procedures and programs conform to statutory laws governing individuals with intellectual disability.
Coordinate clinical research and educational programs through appropriate department heads.
Lead staff recruitment and hiring, including outreach, interviews, and selection.
Perform related duties as required.