Address
Form of workAbout the Position
The County of San Luis Obispo's Behavioral Health Department is hiring a Mental Health Medical Director. The initial application review will take place on March 27th, 2023.
THE POSITION
Reporting to the Behavioral Health Director, the Medical Director plans, organizes, and manages the Department's medical services. As a member of the Division Management Team, this position plays a key role in determining the strategic direction of the Behavioral Health Department, including the type and quality of clinical services provided, service philosophy, system design, and financial planning.
Primary duties for this position also include:
- Supervising full-time, part-time, and contracted psychiatric providers which includes psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, registered nurses, psychiatric technicians/licensed vocational nurses and medical assistants
- Overseeing behavioral health medical providers compliance with applicable community standards of care, State and Federal laws, and other regulatory requirements for providing services
- Directing and evaluating the psychiatric component of services across the behavioral health system to ensure clients receive quality medical and psychiatric treatment
- Acting as a key participant in ongoing clinical review of behavioral health system programs and services
- Partnering with division managers to oversee operations of all medication support services
to view the full job description.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for this position will bring:
- Experience and understanding of working in a community-based setting with youth and families; transitional aged youth, adults, and older adults; and a culturally diverse population with serious to severe mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders
- Knowledge of the principles of trauma-informed care and mental health recovery
- Experience as a leader and administrator, including managing personnel/performance issues, hiring staff, and creating organizational procedures and workflows
- Skill in the use of electronic health records (EHR) and ability to help support the medical staff with the proper use of EHR
- Collaborative work style, excellent listening skills, and ability to communicate well with staff at all levels, clients, and families
- Flexibility and willingness to quickly shift focus to attend to critical needs, such as consulting with staff who have a client in crisis or have an urgent need for a medication refill
- Passion for working with individuals with serious to severe mental illness, and a belief that they are the experts in their treatment and can recover
- Comfort addressing difficult employee issues, using a strengths-based style, and effective leadership skills
- Bilingual English/Spanish skills are highly desired, but not required
Thorough knowledge of: current practices in behavioral health including the Recovery Model, strength-based treatment, consumer/family-oriented services, and integration of mental health and substance use disorder services and systems; principles and practices of general and preventive psychiatry; principles and practices in the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health and substance use disorders, including evidence-based practices in the behavioral health field; psychiatric medications and their interaction with other prescription medications; general medicine and its relationship to mental illness and substance use disorders; current practices in the field of quality assurance and quality improvement.
Considerable knowledge of: current laws, standards, and regulations that govern the provision of behavioral health services in the public sector, especially in California; the legal environment affecting psychiatric practice; principles and practices of clinical supervision and training; program planning and development principles; and general budgeting, monitoring, and cost accountability.
Knowledge of: community behavioral health program goals and limitations; community organizations as related to behavioral health and medical services; modern management principles and practices; organizational dynamics, conflict resolution, and behavior and performance management; and public administration practices related to personnel management.
Ability to: plan, direct, coordinate, and evaluate behavioral health services; determine clinical and medical needs of community behavioral health programs; formulate, implement, and evaluate treatment methods and procedures; practice psychiatry in a community behavioral health delivery system; refer to local and regional providers of social, medical, and/or other specialized services; maintain currency in and apply knowledge of treatment modalities, medications, and laws governing psychiatric practice; establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Behavioral Health Administrator and other Health Agency leadership, the department's division managers, program managers and supervisors, and staff, other County managers, community groups, other public agencies, medical professionals, behavioral health consumer and family advocacy groups, and the general public; provide clinical leadership and consultation to department staff and the staff of contracted organizations and partnering agencies; prepare clear and comprehensive reports; assist with development and maintenance of policies and procedures, determine and evaluate levels of achievement and performance; secure cooperation and teamwork among professional and/or support staff; plan and conduct effective in-service training programs; maintain confidentiality of information; understand program objectives in relation to departmental goals and procedures; collect and analyze data to establish/identify needs and evaluate program effectiveness; develop goals and objectives; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Possession of a valid California license to practice medicine. In addition, one year of administrative experience in a medical program; AND
Either A: Possession of a current Board Certification in Psychiatry, issued by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or eligibility for examination for such certificate as evidenced by a written statement by the Secretary of that Board;
OR B: Completion of an Accredited Residency Program in Psychiatry.
Licenses and Certificates
Certain positions within this classification may require driving. When driving is an essential function of the position, a valid CALIFORNIA driver's license will be required at the time of appointment.
How to Apply
This position is open until filled, however for first consideration apply by March 27, 2023; candidates are encouraged to submit as soon as possible.
SELECTION PROCESS
Following an extensive application review, successful candidates will be notified of the next steps in the selection process. Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. To apply for this position, click "apply" at the top of this page.
Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.
An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.
Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.
If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at ha.humanresources@co.slo.ca.us. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.
For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at .
Supplemental Information
Relocation Resources
Are you relocating to San Luis Obispo? Check out these resources to help you stake your claim in this beautiful county:
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- May be eligible for relocation reimbursement
Student Loan Forgiveness for Public Employees
Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program? Click on the link below to learn more about eligibility for this benefit.
Reasonable Accommodation Notice:
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail for more information.
COVID-19
Pursuant to recent California Department of Public Health orders, workers in designated facilities and positions are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and/or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. If your position is determined to fall under the State orders, you will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing, where applicable.
Make a Difference
Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference.
Compensation and Benefits
Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package.
Note that if you are being hired as a temporary employee some of these benefits may not be offered to you. Benefits for temporary employees are limited. Please contact hr@co.slo.ca.us for more information.
For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated .
Some benefits include:
- Medical (PPO, EPO), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
- Cafeteria (County contribution to pay for insurance premiums)
- Free visits to the employee health clinic
- Mental Health resources/benefits
- Voluntary insurance plans (life insurance, disability, critical illness and many more)
- A lifelong retirement benefit through the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
- Optional deferred compensation Plan with up to $500 per year match
- Tax savings accounts (medical and dependent care)
- Paid personal, sick and vacation days
- 12 paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Education and Wellness Allowance
- Post Employment Health Plan
- Family Friendly workplace policies
- Flexible work schedule options
- Rideshare commuter benefits
The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. We support our employees through: childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs.
Learning and Development
The County prioritizes your learning, personal and professional development, and career growth. Employees have access to over 1500 on-demand courses, instructor led courses, and job-specific trainings.
Employees can take courses to upskill to make themselves more competitive for promotional opportunities and further their career growth. Examples of courses include:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Supervisor/Manager academies
- Microsoft Suite courses
- Defensive Driving
- Financial management
- Retirement preparedness
- Teambuilding
- Written Communication
- Conflict Management
- Clifton StrengthsFinder and DISC
- Job specific conferences/trainings
Student Loan Forgiveness
Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
County employees also have access to GotZoom, a program that offers tools and support to navigate your federal student loans.
Homebuyer assistance program
Employees have access to the "Assist-to-Own" program sponsored by to get a loan for the down payment.
