POSITION SUMMARY
The Behavioral Health Program Director is responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral health programs within Laguna Healthcare Corporation (LHC). The role will also provide direct provision of clinical care to community members, including psychotherapy. The incumbent provides leadership, clinical oversight, and operational management — including day-to-day operations and strategic planning — for outpatient behavioral health services including mental health, substance use treatment, crisis intervention, prevention programs, and integrated care services. The position ensures services are culturally responsive and consistent with the mission of the LHC to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of our Laguna community. This role requires a deep commitment to culturally responsive, trauma-informed care, with sensitivity to the traditions, values, and lived experiences of the community.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION & DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP
1. Plans, develops, and manages behavioral health programs within across organization.
2. Implements evidence-based behavioral health practices culturally appropriate for LHC patients.
3. Develops policies, procedures, and protocols for behavioral health services.
4. Oversees program performance measures and quality improvement activities.
5. Implements strategic plans aligned with organizational priorities.
6. Facilitates staff meetings and supports internal department communication.
7. Participates as a member of the organizational leadership team.
8. Provides direct clinical care to community members, including psychotherapy, medication management, and psychological assessment.
CLINICAL PROGRAM OVERSIGHT & QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
1. Provides leadership and consultation to behavioral health providers including but not limited to psychologists, social workers, counselors, and behavioral health technicians.
2. Ensures appropriate assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and documentation practices.
3. Oversees crisis response, suicide prevention, and substance use treatment services.
4. Coordinates referrals for specialty behavioral health services.
5. Ensures high-quality care delivery standards across the department.
6. Leads quality improvement initiatives and monitors service outcomes.
INTEGRATED CARE COORDINATION & COLLABORATION
1. Collaborates with primary care providers to support integrated behavioral health services.
2. Promotes team-based care across medical, behavioral health, and community programs.
3. Coordinates care for high-risk patients and those with co-occurring medical and behavioral health conditions.
4. Collaborates with medical providers, psychologists, and psychiatrists to support integrated care models.
STAFF SUPERVISION AND DEVELOPMENT
1. Supervises behavioral health staff and provides guidance, mentoring, performance evaluation, and corrective action.
2. Recruits and trains clinical and support staff.
3. Promotes workforce development and professional training opportunities.
4. Provides leadership and coordination with contract staff in addition to direct employees.
FINANCIAL & GRANT MANAGEMENT
1. Manages department budget and oversees allocation of resources.
2. Oversees grants and funding streams supporting behavioral health programs.
3. Supports grant writing activities, including federal grants such as SAMHSA or IHS behavioral health initiatives.
COMPLIANCE AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
1. Ensures compliance with organizational and applicable policies, state & federal regulations, and accreditation standards.
2. Maintains program documentation and reporting requirements.
3. Implements quality improvement and risk management initiatives.
4. Upholds patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA requirements.
5. Participates in the development and implementation of EHR protocols.
COMMUNITY AND TRIBAL COLLABORATION
1. Works with community stakeholders to identify behavioral health priorities.
2. Participates in community outreach and prevention programs addressing mental health and substance use.
3. Supports culturally appropriate care and traditional healing partnerships when appropriate.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
In performance of their respective tasks and duties, an employee of Laguna Healthcare Corporation is expected to conform to the following:
1. Uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent.
2. Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
3. Maintain all licensures and certifications required of position.
4. Interact in an honest, trustworthy, and respectful manner with patients, employees, visitors, and vendors.
5. Participate in Board of Director meetings, departmental staff meetings, quality management activities, and educational programs as required.
6. Comply with Laguna Healthcare Corporation policies and procedures.
7. Maintain a current insurable driver’s license.
MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS
EXPERIENCE:
1. Five years’ leadership experience required.
2. Experience working with community mental health or integrated care programs as a behavioral health provider.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
1. Experience working with Native American populations.
2. Experience with trauma-informed care, substance use treatment, or suicide prevention programs.
3. Experience managing federal grants such as SAMHSA or IHS behavioral health initiatives.
EDUCATION
LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS
Mandatory Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Qualifications:
1. Knowledge of behavioral health treatment systems and clinical practices.
2. Knowledge of culturally responsive behavioral health care.
3. Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams.
4. Ability to develop and evaluate health programs.
5. Knowledge of federal health care policies and regulations.
6. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
7. Strong written and computer skills.
8. Collaborative, supportive leadership qualities with a team-centered approach.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work Environments: The work environmental characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. Limited overnight travel may be required from time to time. This position may be exposed to certain health risks that are inherent when working within a health center facility, such as potential exposure to hazardous chemicals, sharps, and infectious body fluids. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical demands: The physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk, hear, and perform repetitive motions. There may be prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading, as well as driving or riding in transport vehicles. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance, computer, and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicate with patients, vendors, and staff. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Operation of a motor vehicle required to travel between LHC facilities and perform other assigned off-site tasks.
Mental demands: There are a number of deadlines associated with this position. The employee must be able to manage frequent interruptions and must also multi-task and interact with a wider variety of people on various and, at times, complicated issues.
TRIBAL PREFERENCE
LHC will apply “Indian Preference” as an employment criterion and not a “racial classification.” The Laguna Healthcare Corporation has implemented a Tribal Preference in Employment Policy. Pursuant to this Policy, applicants who possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required by this position, and who are enrolled members of the Pueblo of Laguna, will be given primary preference in hiring and employment for this position. Members of other Federally recognized Indian Tribes will be given secondary preference for hiring and employment after providing proof of Tribal membership.
OTHER
Confidentiality: All employees must uphold all principles of confidentiality to the fullest extent. This position will have access to sensitive information, and a breach of these principles will be grounds for immediate termination.
Background Investigation: This position may be subject to a criminal history background check, a suitability background check, and/or a credit report check. In addition, some positions are subject to a more extensive background check to ensure compliance with Public Law 101-630 Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act. Candidates must be able to successfully pass all required background checks to qualify for this position.
Drug Screening: All applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening prior to beginning employment and will be subject to random drug testing.
Disclaimer: The information on this position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees in this position. It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Employees will be asked to perform other duties as needed.