JOB SUMMARY:
The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center Woodland Behavioral Health Department is seeking a Behavioral Health Director who is culturally responsive, has advanced competencies in clinical supervision, experience in national accreditations, and has demonstrated ability to build and expand program capacity. The Behavioral Health Director position provides leadership, program development, clinical consultation, and strategic direction and oversight for all behavioral health programs within the organization to include: Adult Therapy Services, Child & Adolescent Therapy Services, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Psychological Testing Services, and Wellness/Culture Programming. This position plays a critical role in building program capacity for new service lines to include substance use disorders, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. A joint clinical and administrative position, the role provides for administrative and clinical oversight and 10-20% time and effort for direct patient care.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES / SUPERVISORY
Administrative Leadership & Strategy
- Provides visionary leadership and fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence for behavioral healthcare services, prevention services, cultural and community services.
- Promotes a culturally sensitive and trauma informed patient-centered approach to care that respects the dignity, rights, and preferences of individuals receiving healthcare and behavioral health services.
- Serves as the executive leader responsible for the overall clinical, financial, and operational performance of the Woodland Behavioral Health Department.
- Serves as key advisor to the Executive Team on policy concerns, behavioral health strategic program planning, clinical issues, risk management issues, and staff-related concerns that impact Department functions and/or patient health status.
- Works with the behavioral health leadership team to implement annual strategic plans aligned with organizational, funding, and programmatic goals.
- Provides regular executive supervision and strategic direction to Clinical Directors (e.g., Adult, Child & Adolescent, Specialty Programs) and Deputy Directors (Grants Management, Culture, and Quality Assurance Programs). Conducts annual performance evaluations for assigned staff.
- Maintains clear communication and transparency of Agency strategic direction and decisions with behavioral health leadership team.
Clinical Services Oversight & Development
- Supports Clinical Directors in aligning multidisciplinary programming and treatments with operational goals, including access and scheduling optimization, panel management, and workflow efficiency.
- Leads the design and implementation of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) programming to meet state integrated outpatient certification requirements, DHS.75.50.
- Maintains a continuum of integrated mental health and SUD services within primary care and behavioral health workflows. Trains departments, and clinical teams in workflows as appropriate.
- Oversees the clinical integrity and quality of behavioral health services, ensuring that services are evidence-based, culturally appropriate, and responsive to community needs.
- Maintains operational consistency for clinical standards, scopes of practice, and care delivery models across clinical programs and/or service lines.
- Supports Clinical Directors with evaluating the effectiveness of integrated mental health and SUD services i.e, tracking patient outcomes, satisfaction, and adherence to treatment plans.
- Stays informed about trends in behavioral health and works directly with Department leads to adjust programs and services to meet emerging needs and challenges.
- Builds program capacity for occupational and speech therapy services for children and adolescents diagnosed with developmental disorders, trauma, and/or mood disorders.
- Provides 10-20% time and effort towards direct patient care.
Quality Management & Regulatory Compliance
- Leads behavioral health program alignment with accreditation standards to include: AAAHC, and NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home with Behavioral Health Distinction. Serves on workgroups and committees to support accreditation and certification.
- Serves as certification holder for DHS State licensure applications and audits.
- Engages in Agency quality improvement initiatives, and compliance metrics across all service lines.
- Works in collaboration with Clinical Directors, the Quality Improvement Team, and the Health Information Technology Team to monitor clinical dashboards and performance reports, validate data integrity and documentation practices, use data to drive strategic decisions, and program enhancements.
- Ensures all allied therapies (occupational therapy and speech therapy) meet accreditation, licensure, and regulatory requirements, including AAAHC, NCQA, state, and federal standards.
Operational & Financial Management
- Collaborates with billing and finance to monitor staffing models with productivity and financial sustainability.
- Oversees the budget and resource allocation for all behavioral health and allied therapy services, ensuring efficient use of resources and alignment with organizational goals.
- Actively leads efforts to secure grant and foundation funding to support programmatic and community-based services.
- Works in partnership with the Clinical Directors and Deputy Director of Behavioral Health Grants Management to author and submit grant funding applications.
Wellness & Culture Programming
- Works in partnership with the Deputy Director of Operations and Culture Program Team to offer a continuum of culturally responsive groups, workshops and events, i.e. intergenerational family events, talking circles, language preservation activities.
- Builds capacity for wellness programming offerings within the Woodland Behavioral Health Department, i.e. mindfulness/yoga practices, peer support spaces, arts spaces, and land-based healing activities.
- Ensures the delivery of a training infrastructure to train healthcare providers on Native American culture, healing, spirituality and traditions, to promote culturally sensitive and respectful care.
- Represents the organization in meetings and conferences as appropriate.
- Builds relationships with community partners. Serves on external committees.
- Maintains strict confidentiality according to the Federal and state guidelines and requirements.
- Maintains proper certification and licensure that is up-to-date accrediting standards for State Certified Mental Health Programs.
- Upholds the Professional Code of Ethics.
- Maintains a cooperative relationship with employees, medical staff, and others.
- Adheres to and supports facility policies, programs, and activities.
- Responsible for maintaining a safe, clean, and drug free environment.
- Demonstrates tact, courtesy, and a positive approach to communication and interactions with other employees, visitors, physicians, etc.
- Perform any other job-related duties as specified by supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION:
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & LICENSURE
- Qualified candidates may possess either a master's-level or doctoral-level degree from an accredited institution in counseling, clinical mental health counseling, social work, clinical or counseling psychology.
- Minimum 3-5 years of progressive leadership experience in behavioral health
- Active, unrestricted clinical license (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, Psychologist) required
- Advanced clinical or administrative training in integrated care, population health, or healthcare leadership preferred
- Eligibility for credentialing with Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial payers required
- Certification or training in evidence-based practices (e.g., CBT, DBT, trauma-informed)
- Demonstrated experience supervising licensed clinicians and/or clinical supervisors
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across the organization, with tribal partners, and external stakeholders.
- Advanced knowledge of behavioral health clinical practices, healthcare regulations, and accreditation standards.
- Ability to manage budgets and resources effectively, with a focus on improving service delivery and outcomes.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, including public speaking and advocacy capabilities.
- Understanding of Indigenous cultures, values, and healthcare practices.
- Familiarity with the Indian Health Service (IHS), tribal health programs, and other public health systems.
- Strong skills in advocating for community needs and effectively communicating with various stakeholders, including tribal leaders, healthcare providers, and governmental agencies.
- Experience in integrated care models or leading behavioral health services in a multi-disciplinary, health system setting.
- Background in managing large, complex programs with a focus on both adult and pediatric populations.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to manipulate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Work is performed in an office environment utilizing various office equipment including, but not limited to, a computer, copy machine, fax machine, and multi-line phone. Ability to communicate effectively over the telephone, by computer and in person. Ability to perform well in a fast paced work environment.
This is a general outline of the essential functions of this position and shall not be construed as an all-inclusive description of all work requirements and responsibilities. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by the designated work leader(s). All requirements are subject to change over time. All positions at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center have the responsibility to carry out functions to maintain inspection and survey readiness, participate in Quality Improvement initiatives, as well as assist in and/or provide education for health promotion and disease prevention. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
GLIIHC supports a safe, healthy and drug-free work environment through criminal and caregiver background checks and pre-employment drug testing. GLIIHC maintains a smoke-free environment.
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Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center, Inc.
$120,000 - $135,000 - As an approved site for federal loan repayment programs, we offer qualified clinicians opportunities to reduce student debt while serving our community. Options include the NHSC Loan Repayment Program ($50,000-$75,000 for two years)
May 20, 2026