Director Of Behavioral Health

Job Title: Director of Behavioral Health

Location: St. Joseph, Missouri (Relocation Assistance Available)

Organization: Northwest Health Services

Website:

Job Type: Full-Time, Executive Leadership

Reports to: CEO

Salary: Highly competitive and commensurate with experience; flexible depending on candidate qualifications. Comprehensive benefits package, including relocation assistance.

Position Overview:

Are you a mission-driven behavioral health leader seeking a meaningful role where you can impact an entire community? Northwest Health Services, a leading healthcare provider dedicated to improving access to comprehensive behavioral health in St. Joseph, Missouri, invites a visionary Director of Behavioral Health to join our team. This is a unique opportunity to transform our behavioral health services with full support, funding, and autonomy to rebuild and reimagine an integrated care program that best serves the diverse needs of our community.

Our CEO is committed to re-establishing essential behavioral health services, particularly for underserved rural areas, following a period of program dissolution. We seek an experienced clinical leader (Clinical Psychologist, LCSW, or another Medicaid/Medicare-billable provider) with the strategic vision and operational expertise to reshape and grow a program that encompasses telehealth, substance use disorder (SUD) programs, group therapy, and other critical services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program Development & Integration: Lead and revitalize our behavioral health services, focusing on the integration of mental health within primary care. Expand therapeutic models to include Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), meeting the unique needs of rural communities.
• Clinical Leadership & Operations: Guide and develop a multidisciplinary team of therapists, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners, ensuring quality care and best practices. Prioritize program efficiency through group therapy models, telehealth expansion, and alternative therapeutic offerings.
• Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program Growth: Oversee and enhance the Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program to address local substance use challenges, with an emphasis on addiction services for narcotics and methamphetamine. Partner with our psychiatric team to deliver comprehensive addiction care.
• Community & Partner Integration: Build partnerships with local organizations, schools, and social services, expanding community outreach and introducing successful initiatives like art therapy in group settings to improve access and engagement.
• Vision & Strategic Development: Collaborate closely with the CEO to set a sustainable, community-focused vision for behavioral health at Northwest Health Services, effectively utilizing substantial grant funding to innovate and support long-term impact.
• Therapeutic Modalities Expansion & Neurodiversity Assessment: Introduce new therapeutic approaches beyond CBT, emphasizing holistic care that includes group therapy, assessments for neurodiverse populations, and structured pathways for patients requiring specialized support.
• Group Therapy Implementation: Champion the implementation of group therapies to reduce one-on-one care reliance, improving patient engagement and organizational profitability through a more collaborative and accessible care model.

Qualifications:

• Licensed Clinical Psychologist, LCSW, or other Medicare/Medicaid-billable credential eligible for Missouri licensure with a solid clinical foundation.
• 5+ years in behavioral health leadership, with demonstrated success in building integrated care models and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Expertise in SUD treatment and MAT, as well as experience with innovative, evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
• Strong strategic and operational leadership skills, ideally with experience in rural healthcare settings and community-focused care models.
• Experience with grants management and securing funding for behavioral health initiatives is a plus.

Why Join Northwest Health Services?

• Mission-Driven Impact: Directly influence mental health outcomes in St. Joseph and the surrounding community by establishing essential behavioral health programs in a high-need area.
• Empowered Leadership Role: Enjoy the flexibility and autonomy to shape a comprehensive behavioral health program, with CEO and community support for innovative solutions.
• Community-Focused Care: Work closely with local partners to build a legacy of care that addresses critical mental health and SUD challenges.
• Growth Opportunity: Engage in the growth of a pioneering program that combines behavioral health and primary care integration, with ample professional development and career growth potential.
• Relocation & Competitive Benefits: Take advantage of relocation assistance, a competitive salary, and benefits designed to support your professional and personal well-being.

If you are a dedicated leader with a passion for transforming mental health care delivery in a rural setting, we would love to hear from you. Join us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families in St. Joseph. Apply today and help us redefine community-centered care at Northwest Health Services. For consideration, apply to this job posting or email Wayne Holt at . You can also schedule an exploratory discussion with Wayne to discuss this opportunity by clicking his Calendly link to view his availability and select a time that works best for you: