Director of Acute Behavioral Health

At Childrens Nebraska, our mission is to improve the life of every child through exceptional care, advocacy, research and education. As the states only full-service pediatric healthcare center, we provide comprehensive, holistic care to our patients and familiesfrom primary and specialty care to behavioral health services and everything in between. Dedicated to a People First culture, we foster an environment with joy, belonging, wellbeing, learning and growth. Turn your passion into purpose and make a difference where it matters most. 

A Brief Overview
Directs and implements the planning and program development for acute behavioral health services. Provides clinical and operational leadership for acute behavioral health services to ensure high quality care coordination and operational systems, in collaboration with the medical director of the department(s). Standardizes and delivers high quality of clinical care and outcomes and supports the development of the strategic plan. Works collaboratively with other behavioral health leaders, hospital, physician and nursing leaders to create a cohesive, quality driven behavioral health service line.

Essential Functions

• Directs and implements the behavioral health services strategic plan. Works in partnership with physician leaders to promote cohesive, coordinated and innovative program development inclusive of developing, articulating, and implementing a shared vision as well as a comprehensive strategic and operational plan for the service line. Responsible for strategic planning, operational planning, program growth and development, financial management, people and culture management. Facilitates annual updates, monitors and tracks progress on initiatives including outcome metrics. Facilitates plan communication. Leads business plan development for new clinical programs or services. Develops, directs, implements, and evaluates departmental operations consistent with the organizations commitment to continuous improvement in the quality of patient care and consistent with appropriate budgetary parameters. Develops and identifies areas of improvement of hospital, department, and service standards of care, policies and procedures. Provides leadership in program development for areas of responsibility as well as assigned projects. Assures that all appropriate licensure and accreditation standards are met in areas of responsibility. Develops implements, evaluates and/or revises programs/standards based on evidenced based protocols, departmental and organizational philosophy and objectives. Integrates Inpatient Services with other hospital departments in an effort to create an atmosphere of cooperation and coordination in the delivery of patient and family centered care. Communicates and promotes a positive image of Childrens Nebraska. Establishes positive working relationships with key physicians, nurse leaders and other leaders across the organization. Encourages Department Heads to initiate joint problems solving between departments. Models' collaborative behaviors. Facilitates open and constructive communication (both formally and informally) among all departments.
• Accepts accountability for personal and professional growth and contributes to the advancement of health care administration. Participates in professional and continued learning activities and shares knowledge with colleagues. Shows evidence of meeting annual professional goals which are established in collaboration with the SVP, Psychiatry, and the CNO. Utilizes feedback from colleagues regarding interpersonal and administrative skills.
• Coordinates and collaborates with the Childrens Behavioral Health & Nursing Leadership Team in the recruitment, selection, retention and development of staff within the department and other patient care services departments. Evaluates overall effectiveness of the department staff job performance including skills in communication, team building, problem-solving and decision-making outcomes. Serves as a role model to staff, managers and other hospital leaders. Hires, develops, and terminates (as necessary) staff using techniques of coaching, counseling, positive reinforcement, and/or disciplinary action as required. Develops orientation plans in collaboration with Nursing Education and department educators for new employees and monitors the effectiveness of orientation programs. Approves staffing patterns and monitors departmental staffing to assure implementation of strategies consistent with policies that will meet quality of patient care and budgetary goals. Monitors retention and turnover data to identify issues and problems that may affect recruitment and retention and initiates action for resolution with the appropriate groups. Communicates and models the mission of Childrens in the recruitment, development, evaluation and compensation of staff. Facilitates staff/management development with focus on promoting staff engagement. Identifies opportunities for coaching and career development with employees within area of responsibility. Promotes and monitors participation of staff in in-service programs within the organization and at the departmental level. Initiates and/or collaborates in the development of continuing education programs to advance the knowledge and expertise of the staff in the specific specialty areas. Provides leadership by modeling I-Accountability principles and by setting expectations of staff. Personnel Management Selects/hires employees and oversees training on job related tasks. Conducts employee performance management duties including completion and delivery of performance evaluations, setting goals, dissemination of information, coaching, addressing performance issues/routine correction actions, and recommending termination of employment. Makes salary recommendations. Submits notifications for personnel actions (e.g., status changes, terminations). Determines human resource needs. Operational/Financial Management Participates in the development and implementation of strategic objectives for the division. Develops and implements business plans for the department(s) that support the goals and strategies of the organization. Defines and approves processes and procedures within the department(s). Develops and recommends policies related to the operational or functional area. Develops the annual budget for the operational or functional area including human resource needs. Prepares budget variance reports and develops corrective strategies to meet the areas operational or financial plan.
• Creates service standards utilizing key service dimensions, knowledge of patient/customer expectations and best practice data. Participates in establishing service standards for assigned departments. Monitors performance against service standards. Utilizes customer satisfaction, best practice data and market information to improve customer service and satisfaction. Utilizes all tools provided to enhance customer service. Supports the provision of patient and family centered care.

Education Qualifications

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in the behavioral health field Required or
• PhD or Psy.D from an accredited school of psychology Required

Experience Qualifications

• Minimum five years of behavioral health services experience in a hospital or health-related setting Required and
• 4-6 years of management, supervisory, or lead experience Required and
• Experience in a pediatric environment Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Skill in managing and supervising behavioral health professionals.
• Knowledge and skill in provision of counseling, consultation and psychotherapy, and diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
• Knowledge and interaction with school systems and other community organizations providing services to children and families.
• Knowledge with managed care contract provisions, requirements, and regulations, including billing requirements.
• Knowledge and skill in employment contract administration.
• Knowledge and skill in program growth and development for behavioral medicine, with preference given to proven skills in pediatric/family support behavioral medicine.
• Ability to identify and coordinate with community-based resources for support of families and children.
• Ability to develop relationships with community physicians and other referral sources.
• Demonstrated skill in managing multiple and complex budgets.

Licenses and Certifications

• LMHC-Licensed Mental Health Counselor Preferred or
• Licensed Psychologist Preferred or
• LMSW - Licensed Medical Social Worker - State Licensure Preferred or
• Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner in the state of Nebraska (will accept out of state and eligible) Preferred or
• LMAFT - Lic-Marriage & Family Therapy Preferred

Children's is committed to diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer including veterans and people with disabilities.

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