POSITION PURPOSE
Leads the development and advancement of Ellipsis’s behavioral health strategy by translating clinical best practices, system trends, and organizational priorities into program design, treatment model development, and service innovation.] Works across programs and leadership teams to identify opportunities to strengthen Ellipsis’s behavioral health services, pilot new models of care, and support the transformation of programs to better meet the evolving needs of youth and families. Shares information, direction, and oversight with the treatment teams. Provides case consultation as needed or requested by Program Directors and treatment teams. Closely collaborates with the operations and quality and compliance teams to ensure that care is delivered in accordance with the philosophy of the organization. Collaborates closely with executive and operational leaders to design, test, and scale service models that improve outcomes, strengthen system alignment, and ensure long-term program sustainability.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy
● Contributes to the growth of the organization as a member of the executive leadership team
● Participates in the definition of the organization’s strategic plan, in conjunction with the Board of Directors and other senior leaders
● Leads the development and advancement of Ellipsis’s behavioral health strategy, identifying opportunities to strengthen programs, expand services, and respond to emerging system needs
● Identifies opportunities for program innovation, service redesign, and evidence-based treatment models that improve outcomes for youth and families
● Works with executive and operational leaders to pilot evidence-based models and scale successful approaches across programs
Behavioral Health Philosophy and Oversight
● Discerns and articulates the behavioral health philosophy for the organization in response to the overall strategic plan and best practices
● Provides input into the development of new and existing programs and serves as a liaison to the community with regard to all Ellipsis programming
● Ensures that direct care leaders and staff understand how best practices translate to providing unparalleled direct care through ongoing consultation, coaching, and training, including oversight of the development of training plans and materials
● Provides clinical consultation to Program Directors to ensure consistency of care; requires close relationship with the Chief Operating Officer, to whom the Program Directors report
● Establishes behavioral health care service metrics and benchmarks and reports on status
● Ensures consistency in behavioral health care philosophy and care delivery across all settings, including group residential foster care, emergency shelter, community behavioral health services, supported community living and transition programming
● Lead the implementation of trauma-informed, child-centered, and developmentally appropriate models across all settings
● Identifies opportunities to enhance Ellipsis’s services through the application of emerging research, evidence-based practices, and innovative service approaches
● Collaborates with program leadership to design and pilot new treatment models or program structures aligned with Ellipsis’s strategic priorities
Behavioral Health Care
● Provides support and guidance to all program teams as needed; consults to support assessments, authorization calls, review of treatment plans and progress reports, treatment team meetings, child and family therapy, and risk assessment and crisis consultation
● Oversees agency’s relationships with partner supplemental service providers
● Oversees care coordination efforts to ensure continuity of services as youth transition between residential, shelter, and community-based settings
● Collaborates closely with HHS, JCS, managed care organizations, and community behavioral health providers to ensure smooth handoffs and reduced disruption in care for high risk youth
● Leads clinical crisis management protocols and ensures systems for suicide risk assessment, de-escalation practices, and emergency response are clinically sound and consistently applied
● Works with the COO to ensure a clinically informed response to high-risk behavioral situations
● Supports the evaluation of pilot programs and innovative service models, using clinical data and outcomes to inform program improvements and organizational decision making
● Is subject to 24-hour emergency call and on occasion will return to Ellipsis facilities to handle emergency situations.
Quality and Compliance Collaboration
● Collaborates with quality and compliance team to ensure that care occurs as designed and in accordance with regulations as set forth in accreditation, licensing, and contractual requirements
● Works with quality and data team to evaluate program performance, clinical outcomes, identify trends and identify opportunities for continuous improvement, innovation, and transformation of services
Learning and Development
● Oversees clinical and trauma-informed training curriculum development and delivery throughout the organization in accordance with clinical philosophy and objectives. Integrates emerging research, best practices, and innovative approaches into training and clinical development efforts across the organization
Reporting and Metrics
● Oversees proper maintenance of all required clinical documentation, including treatment plans, therapy sessions, progress reports, discharge summaries, etc.
● Provides and/or reviews written reports to external stakeholders
● Oversees utilization of the electronic health record to ensure data is able to be collected and analyzed as needed
● Include oversight of clinical dashboards or KPI reporting, especially around treatment plan compliance, service authorization utilization, and clinical risk assessments
● Utilizes program data, system trends, and outcome measures to inform strategic decisions regarding program development, innovation, and service design
Community Relations
● Identifies opportunities for collaboration with community partners, academic institutions, and behavioral health systems to strengthen Ellipsis’s programs and service offerings
● Represents Ellipsis in the community by developing and maintaining positive working relationships with clinical stakeholders including HHS, Juvenile Court, and other community agencies
Financial Management
● Oversees Community-Based Services departmental budget and manages department’s financial position in accordance with the approved budget
● Proposes clinical and programmatic staffing and resource needs. Provides strategic input regarding the financial sustainability and scalability of new programs and service models
Employee Development
● Manages performance of the Community-Based Services Team and Program Director. Works with the team to establish performance and productivity goals and hold them accountable for their performance, including annual performance management, ongoing development, and corrective action where needed
● Creates a culture that values employee feedback through engaging with staff and implementing improvements that improve safety, efficiency, or outcomes while balancing the financial constraints of the organization
● Provides clinical supervision or oversight for licensed and pre-licensed clinicians; supports staff in meeting licensure and continuing education requirements
● Builds an effective, mission-driven, and positive culture, evidenced by a committed and engaged team
Performs other duties as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
● Master’s degree in a behavioral health, including Psychiatric Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, or related behavioral health discipline
● Independently licensed in the state of Iowa as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner or a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW). Preference will be given to candidates with prescribing authority and psychiatric expertise.
● Minimum of 5 years’ direct behavioral health clinical experience serving children, youth, and/or families
● At least 3+ years of leadership experience in behavioral health programs, preferably including program development, clinical model design or cross-program initiatives. Demonstrated ability to apply clinical best practices, research, or system trends to the design or improvement of behavioral health programs
● Experience analyzing clinical outcomes, service utilization data, or system trends to inform program improvements or strategic decisions
● Experience supervising clinicians and supporting licensure development
● Demonstrated performance as a leader, including the ability to build and motivate high-performing teams
● Proven project management experience, with demonstrated ability to plan, execute, track, and report on project progress
● Critical thinker and problem solver who demonstrates decision-making and time-management skills
● Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
● Able to work independently, with minimal oversight, and with high ethical standards
● Able to deal tactfully with youth, family members, visitors, government agency representatives and the general public
● Able to provide positive role modeling in areas of communication, decision-making, and problem solving
● Willing to make decisions based on what’s best for kids and families
● Willing to participate in all scheduled meetings, trainings and supervision sessions as requested
● Basic computer skills including experience working in Microsoft Windows and Office products
● Clear criminal and child abuse background checks
● CPR/First Aid training
● Acceptable driving record
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
● Experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems and clinical recordkeeping requirements
● Experience collaborating with the Juvenile Court System, the Department of Human Services, Medicaid, Managed Care Organizations and state behavioral health providers
● Experience working with children and families in a community-based program preferred
● Knowledge in the field of child services helpful. Knowledge or prior experience working with high-risk youth, especially with youth who have experienced abuse, neglect, homelessness, or other traumatic experiences preferred
Ideal Candidate- Licensed Mental Health Therapist - Licensed Mental Professional - Licensed Mental Counselor - Licensed Master Social Worker - LMSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW - Licensed Professional Counselor - LPC - Licensed Associate Counselor - LAC - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - LMFT - Psychology - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner - Psych NP - PMHNP
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Des Moines, IA 50309 (Required)
Work Location: In person
