Vice President of Clinical Operations – Behavioral Health
Position Summary
The Vice President of Clinical Operations provides executive leadership for the organization’s behavioral health services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person-centered care across all clinical programs. This role is responsible for clinical excellence, operational performance, regulatory compliance, workforce development, quality improvement, and strategic growth. The Vice President partners closely with the Chief Executive Officer and executive leadership to expand services, strengthen community partnerships, improve clinical outcomes, and advance the organization’s mission of improving the lives of children, adolescents, adults, families, and veterans throughout Louisiana.
Key Responsibilities
Executive Clinical Leadership
● Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all behavioral health clinical programs across multiple locations.
● Establish and maintain clinical standards that promote evidence-based, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and culturally responsive care.
● Lead Clinical Directors, Program Directors, Regional Managers, and clinical supervisors in achieving organizational goals.
● Ensure consistency in service delivery, documentation, and clinical practices throughout the organization.
● Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Clinical Operations Management
Oversee the implementation, performance, and quality of behavioral health programs, including but not limited to:
● Community Psychiatric Support and Treatment (CPST)
● Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR)
● Behavioral Health Skill Building
● Case Management
● Care Coordination
● Family Support Services
● Crisis Services
● Outpatient Behavioral Health Programs
● Intensive Community-Based Services
● Veteran Behavioral Health Services
Monitor operational performance to ensure timely access to care, productivity standards, high-quality clinical documentation, and positive client outcomes.
Veterans Behavioral Health Services
Provide executive oversight of programs serving military veterans and their families by:
● Developing strategic partnerships with Veterans Affairs (VA), veteran service organizations, military support agencies, and community partners.
● Expanding access to specialized behavioral health services addressing PTSD, trauma, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, suicide prevention, and community reintegration.
● Ensuring culturally competent, trauma-informed services that reflect the unique needs of veterans and military families.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable federal, state, and accreditation standards, including:
● CARF Accreditation Standards
● Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) licensing requirements
● Medicaid and Managed Care Organization (MCO) regulations
● HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules
● State and federal behavioral health regulations
● Professional ethical standards
Provide executive oversight of clinical documentation, medical record quality, audit readiness, corrective action plans, and accreditation preparation.
Quality Improvement and Clinical Outcomes
Lead the organization’s Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) program by:
● Monitoring key clinical and operational performance indicators.
● Evaluating treatment outcomes and service effectiveness.
● Reducing no-show rates and improving client engagement.
● Improving referral-to-intake timelines and service authorization efficiency.
● Increasing client satisfaction and retention.
● Developing and implementing Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) when necessary.
● Using data analytics to guide strategic decision-making and improve organizational performance.
Workforce Development
Develop and retain a high-performing clinical workforce by:
● Providing leadership, mentorship, and coaching to clinical leaders.
● Supporting recruitment, onboarding, and retention of licensed behavioral health professionals.
● Ensuring clinical supervision meets licensing and regulatory requirements.
● Promoting leadership development, continuing education, and succession planning.
● Supporting implementation of organizational workforce development initiatives.
Community Relations and Business Development
Develop and strengthen referral partnerships with:
● Hospitals and health systems
● Primary care providers
● Schools and universities
● Juvenile justice agencies
● Child welfare organizations
● Veterans organizations
● Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)
● Community-based agencies
● Government partners
Represent the organization within the community while expanding referral networks and increasing access to behavioral health services.
Strategic Planning and Program Growth
Partner with executive leadership to:
● Identify opportunities for program expansion and service innovation.
● Develop new behavioral health initiatives aligned with community needs.
● Support grant development, implementation, and sustainability efforts.
● Evaluate emerging healthcare trends and regulatory changes.
● Assist with organizational strategic planning and long-term growth initiatives.
Financial and Operational Performance
● Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and manage clinical program budgets.
● Monitor productivity, staffing ratios, revenue performance, and operational efficiency.
● Support financial sustainability while maintaining exceptional standards of clinical care.
● Recommend resource allocation strategies to maximize service delivery and organizational growth.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Master’s degree or higher in one of the following:
● Social Work
● Counseling
● Psychology
● Marriage and Family Therapy
● Behavioral Health or related clinical discipline
Licensure (Required)
Current, unrestricted Louisiana professional license in one of the following:
● Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
● Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
● Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
● Licensed Psychologist (preferred where applicable)
Experience
● Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in behavioral health or healthcare administration.
● At least 5 years of executive or senior-level clinical leadership experience.
● Demonstrated experience managing multi-site behavioral health operations.
● Extensive knowledge of community behavioral health services and Medicaid-funded programs.
● Experience leading organizations through CARF accreditation and Louisiana Department of Health regulatory reviews.
● Proven success in quality improvement, workforce development, program expansion, and strategic planning.
● Experience building referral networks and collaborative partnerships across healthcare and community systems.
Preferred Qualifications
● Experience working within Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), or community mental health organizations.
● Experience with value-based care initiatives and population health management.
● Knowledge of integrated behavioral health and primary care models.
● Experience overseeing grant-funded behavioral health programs.
● Experience serving children, adolescents, adults, families, and veterans.
Core Competencies
● Executive Leadership
● Clinical Excellence
● Behavioral Health Operations
● Strategic Planning
● Regulatory Compliance
● CARF Accreditation
● Quality Improvement
● Workforce Development
● Financial Management
● Program Development
● Community Partnership Development
● Veteran Behavioral Health
● Change Management
● Data-Driven Decision Making
● Communication and Relationship Building
● Ethical Leadership
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
