Position Summary
The Behavioral Health Compliance Director is a contract position responsible for designing, implementing, and personally managing Amavi LLC's compliance program across all clinical and administrative operations. Because Amavi LLC does not have an HR or compliance staff, this role is highly hands-on: the Director will not be delegating tasks to a larger team, but will instead be doing the audits, policy writing, training, and reporting directly. This role ensures adherence to federal and Ohio state regulations governing behavioral health services, including licensure requirements, Medicaid/Medicare billing standards, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, OhioMHAS rules, and accreditation standards (e.g., CARF, The Joint Commission). The Director serves as the owner's primary advisor on regulatory risk, policy, and audit readiness, and will largely work independently and remotely, with a required in-person presence at the Columbus office at least once a month (or more often as deadlines, audits, or incidents require).
Key Responsibilities
- Personally develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive compliance program in accordance with federal and Ohio behavioral health regulations, including OhioMHAS, Ohio Department of Medicaid, and applicable licensing boards (no compliance staff or department to delegate to — this is a hands-on, do-it-yourself role).
- Monitor changes in state and federal laws, regulations, and payer requirements affecting behavioral health service delivery, and personally draft and update organizational policies accordingly.
- Oversee and directly manage HIPAA privacy and security compliance, including 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality requirements for substance use disorder records.
- Conduct regular internal audits and risk assessments of clinical documentation, billing practices, and operational procedures, including hands-on chart and file review.
- Lead and personally prepare all materials for external audits, surveys, and accreditation reviews (CARF, Joint Commission, state licensure surveys).
- Investigate compliance concerns, incidents, and grievances directly; manage corrective action plans and ensure timely resolution without an HR department to route issues through.
- Develop and personally deliver compliance training to clinical and administrative staff, including onboarding and annual refresher training (in person during monthly office visits or via virtual sessions).
- Serve as the organization's Privacy Officer and/or Compliance Officer, including fielding and logging incident reports directly from staff.
- Work directly with the owner, clinical staff, and any outside billing vendor to ensure policies are understood and followed day-to-day.
- Draft, maintain, and update the organization's Compliance Plan, Code of Conduct, and related policies and procedures from the ground up where they don't yet exist.
- Prepare periodic compliance updates and reports directly for the owner.
- Track and verify credentialing, licensure status, and background checks for all clinical staff, since no HR function currently exists to manage this.
- Review payer agreements and contracts for compliance and regulatory risk, flagging concerns directly to the owner.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Nursing, Social Work, Law, or related field (Master's degree preferred).
- Minimum 5–7 years of experience in healthcare or behavioral health compliance, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
- In-depth knowledge of Ohio behavioral health regulations, OhioMHAS licensing standards, Medicaid billing requirements, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2.
- Experience preparing for and managing accreditation surveys (CARF, Joint Commission) and state licensure reviews.
- Strong understanding of clinical documentation standards and behavioral health billing/coding practices.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to train and influence staff at all levels.
- Demonstrated ability to manage investigations, audits, and corrective action plans independently.
- Proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) systems and compliance tracking software.
- Comfort working independently with minimal infrastructure or support staff — this role requires someone who is self-sufficient and does not need an HR department or compliance team behind them to function effectively.
- Reliable transportation and availability to be in the Columbus, OH office at least once a month (additional visits may be required around audits, surveys, or urgent matters).
Preferred Qualifications
- Certification in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) through the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA).
- Juris Doctor (JD) or paralegal background with healthcare regulatory focus.
- Experience working specifically within substance use disorder (SUD) or mental health treatment settings.
- Familiarity with Ohio Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) requirements.
Core Competencies
- Integrity and sound ethical judgment
- Analytical and detail-oriented approach to regulatory interpretation
- Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration
- Crisis management and problem-solving under regulatory pressure
- Ability to balance organizational risk with clinical and operational realities
Work Environment
This is a remote contract position. The Director will work independently from their own location the majority of the time, with a required in-person visit to the Columbus, OH office at least once per month for file review, staff training, and direct check-ins with the owner. Additional in-office time may be required around audits, accreditation surveys, or compliance incidents. As an independent contractor, the Director will set their own schedule but must be responsive to urgent compliance matters as they arise.
Compensation
This is a 1099 independent contractor position. Compensation will be structured as a flat monthly retainer or hourly rate, commensurate with experience and scope of work (to be discussed during the interview process). As a contract role, this position does not include employee benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions; the contractor is responsible for their own taxes and insurance.
Amavi LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Contractor. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone we work with.
Pay: $35.00 - $45.00 per hour
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Columbus, OH 43219
