Overview

Leads and manages assigned behavioral health programs and teams across inpatient, outpatient, crisis, care coordination, and consult services. Oversees day-to-day operations, staffing, budgeting, and performance to achieve quality, safety, access, and experience goals. Develops, implements, and standardizes clinical and operational models; coordinates care across the continuum; and ensures effective resource utilization and fiscal stewardship. Drives performance improvement and compliance with regulatory and payer requirements, serving as a central liaison with internal departments and external partners. Coaches and develops staff, strengthens community and stakeholder relationships, and fosters a culture of collaboration, equity, and continuous improvement.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together. And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

• Manages daily operations of assigned behavioral health programs to deliver high-quality, cost-effective services aligned with organizational goals and budgetary guidelines.
• Provides departmental leadership, direction, and support; establishes clear goals and objectives and monitors effectiveness.
• Oversees staffing activities including hiring, orientation, training, scheduling, performance evaluation, coaching, corrective action, and terminations in accordance with policies.
• Develops and implements departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines; promotes effective multidisciplinary teamwork and serves as an interdepartmental liaison.
• Maintains awareness of laws and regulations impacting behavioral health and transitions of care; recommends actions to ensure compliance.
• Monitors expenses and revenue; takes appropriate action to maintain control of financial resources and meet financial benchmarks.
• Resolves complex situations, such as patient complaints and crises, and represents the organization professionally.
• Creates an environment that promotes staff empowerment, personal and professional growth, and high productivity.
• Provides clinical leadership by directing, coordinating, and delegating patient care to achieve optimal outcomes, allowing for flexibility.
• Collaborates with physicians and other health care team members to plan and monitor interdisciplinary care across the continuum.
• Oversees care coordination and discharge planning for complex patients; ensures timely, safe transitions to appropriate levels and locations of care.
• Remains competent and available to participate in patient care pertinent to clinical specialty and models a holistic approach.
• Reviews and reassigns patient assignments based on workload, continuity, and team member skill level.
• Promotes consistency in methods utilized by the team and supports behavioral health education for team members and stakeholders.
• Addresses and monitors length of stay, level of care changes, and medical necessity for compliance and effective resource utilization.
• Documents case management plans to reflect clinical needs, barriers to quality care, and transitions; pursues denials and referrals in a timely, legible manner.
• Collects, trends, analyzes, and reports data on patterns of care, avoidable delays, variances from pathways, and resource utilization.
• Applies knowledge of reimbursement processes to facilitate medical cost management and link clinical and financial aspects of care.
• Prepares for and participates in audits with payer sources; establishes procedures to meet contract requirements.
• Educates patients, families, staff, and physicians on benefits, levels of care, access, and financial considerations that affect transitions.
• Implements evidence-based practice strategies and leads continuous process improvement to enhance patient care and business operations.
• Monitors outcome measures, quality benchmarks, and employee/patient satisfaction; identifies gaps and executes improvement initiatives.
• Coordinates staff education, in-services, competencies, and specialized training to maintain high-quality care.
• Builds relationships within the community and coordinates with external resources to support client/patient care and system effectiveness.
• Summarizes insights from operations and stakeholder feedback to inform program enhancements and leadership decisions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, or a closely related behavioral health field; candidates actively pursuing a master’s may be considered with commitment to completion within 3 years, required.
• 3 years Clinical experience with demonstrated excellent results in improving performance, required.
• 2 years Experience working with the chronically mentally ill, required.
• 3 years prior experience in clinical counseling or management, preferred.
• Any of the following mental health license, required:
• IA Lic Master Social Worker
• IA Lic Independent Social Worker
• IA Lic Marriage Family Therapist
• IA Mental Health Counselor
• IL Lic Master Social Worker
• IL Lic Marriage Family Therapist
• IL Mental Health Counselor
• WI Lic Marriage Family Therapist
• Valid Drivers License, required.
• Valid Iowa RN license, preferred.
• IA Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, preferred.
• IL Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, preferred.