CCHIP DIRECTOR OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNSELING SERVICES - CORE CENTER

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on Cook County Health (CCH) policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at CCH. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.

Location: Department of Public Health

Shift: 9:00AM – 5:00PM

This position is exempt from Career Service under the CCH Personnel Rules.

Job Summary

The CCHIP Director of Behavioral Health is position is responsible for the operations of the Cook County HIV Integrated Programs (CCHIP) within Behavioral Health Counseling Services. This includes program development, day to day operations, and quality assurance across mental health, substance abuse, and other related treatment services throughout the CORE Center to serve HIV impacted individuals, couples, and families. This position is grant funded until February 28, 2026.

General Administrative Responsibilities

Collective Bargaining

• Review applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements and consult with Labor Relations to generate management proposals
• Participate in collective bargaining negotiations, caucus discussions and working meetings

Discipline

• Document, recommend and effectuate discipline at all levels
• Work closely with labor relations and/or labor counsel to effectuate and enforce applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Initiate, authorize and complete disciplinary action pursuant to CCH system rules, policies, procedures and provision of applicable collective bargaining agreements

Supervision

• Direct and effectuate CCH management policies and practices
• Access and proficiently navigate CCH records system to obtain and review information necessary to execute provisions of applicable collective bargaining agreements

Management

• Contribute to the management of CCH staff and CCH’ systemic development and success
• Discuss and develop CCH system policies and procedures
• Consistently use independent judgment to identify operational staffing issues and needs and perform the following functions as necessary; hire, transfer, suspend, layoff, recall, promote, discharge, assign, direct or discipline employees pursuant to applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Work with Labor Relations to discern past practice when necessary

Typical Duties

• Provides Leadership and support for the Behavioral Health Services through developing, maintaining, and improving behavioral health services to ensure that patients receive the highest quality, respectful and culturally appropriate services while supporting and developing behavioral health programs and staff.
• Introduces innovative, effective mental health and substance-use disorder interventions and programs, including maintaining an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and supporting Medicated Assistant Treatment Program (MAT) services.
• Coordinates operations and the provision of Behavioral Health Services by monitoring and overseeing the day-today service delivery. Monitors and oversees mental health, chemical· dependency, and other related discipline staffing patterns to best meet the service needs. Ensure and increase patient access to behavioral health services. Coordinates case assignments and provide consultation as needed.
• Supervises and provides support to Behavioral Health staff. Facilitates staff meetings, coordinates clinical case consultations and education, ensures that the appropriate level of clinical supervision is provided, encourages clinical consultation and peer supervision to ensure competency of staff and implementation of the departmental plan. Apprises staff of CORE-wide communications.
• Identifies staffing needs and funding resources, develops job descriptions, hires staff, develops evaluation and productivity standards, monitors provider competence and productivity, and conducts performance reviews.
• Provides consultation and assessment, individual, couples psychotherapy, supports and therapy group facilitation, and educational and training programming as deemed appropriate.
• Attends meetings and represents Behavioral Health Services throughout the CORE Center.
• Provides leadership in behavioral health service advocacy and participate in CORE Center management meetings and multidisciplinary working groups. Conducts public relations and marketing of services internal to CORE and externally.
• Works in partnership and increase communication to enhance multidisciplinary collaboration and health care delivery to support and educate other CORE departments around behavioral health services available to meet the needs of patients served.
• Maintains regular communication with the Medical Director (Psychiatrist) to assure policies and procedures are developed and implemented in manner which will provide the best outcomes for clients served in the Behavioral Health Counseling division.
• Conducts needs assessments and strategic planning and implement model of Care Revisions.
• Responds to changes in the epidemic and emerging patient needs among the various CORE patient populations. Assesses needs, solicits patient feedback, plans, prioritizes, and implements behavioral health service responses and programming. Assists in the development and maintenance of state-of-the-art practices and culturally responsive behavioral health interventions and therapeutic activities.
• Identifies departmental needs, addresses barriers, and advocates for further support and resources. Recognizes organizational and individual strengths and weaknesses and advocates for positive change-through training, funding, staffing changes, etc.
• Tracks service utilization and prepare necessary monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to submit to CORE administrators, funding organizations and oversight agencies. Works with CORE data management staff to monitor service utilization d enhance data accuracy.
• Monitors program outcomes and monitor development and implementation of Quality Assurance and program evaluation plans.
• Ensures the delivery of quality behavioral health services. Enhances documentation and regulatory compliance efforts. Develops and implements standards, practice guidelines, evaluation, and outcomes measures.
• Develops and supports referrals and linkages within behavioral health services, across disciplines, and with external community agencies. Develops relationships with external agencies providing HIV and behavioral health care. Participates in provider councils as appropriate.
• Develops, implements, and monitors behavioral health service area policies and procedures. Revise and update as needed.
• Initiates and participates in grant writing through composing and coordinating behavioral health components of CORE Center grant requests for funding in concert administration and leadership.
• Continues to receive clinical and managerial training and share with others the work done within behavioral health services.
• Provides internal and external training in the areas of HIV and behavioral health care and related topics.
• Develops, coordinates and implement cultural competency training to ensure provision of culturally appropriate care. Ensures that ongoing behavioral health-specific training and focus is taking place throughout the service area.
• Monitors and evaluates customer service throughout behavioral health services.
• Recognizes and affirms staff on a regular basis throughout behavioral health services. Acknowledges the delivery of quality services.
• Assist in prevention efforts, as appropriate, provides input and carries out CORE-wide prevention plans.
• Enhances CORE Center research efforts by reviewing and analyzing data, reviews research ideas and projects. Encourages behavioral health staff to share work done, to write, present, and conduct research as appropriate. Supports CORE-wide research efforts and assist in the development of research agendas. Initiates and develops behavioral health research projects.
• Adheres to CORE Center and Behavioral Health specific policies and procedures
• Demonstrates and practice the CORE values of respect, empowerment, quality and accountability in the workplace.
• Has a matrix reporting relationship to the Executive Director of HIV Services and to the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling from an accredited college or university is required (Official copy of transcript due at the time of interview)
• Current Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counseling (LCPC) in the State of Illinois prior to starting employment is required
• Five (5) years of clinical experience working with HIV impacted clients dually diagnosed (mental health and substance abuse) is required
• Two (2) years of experience supervising and/or managing staff is required
• Experience working with ethnic minority groups in primary care medical setting is required
• Recent clinical interviewing experience and diagnostic (DSMIV) assessment skills is required
• Current Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of program administration experience is preferred
• Experience working in primary care medical settings with dually diagnosed patients (mental health and chemical dependency) is preferred
• Current Medication Assisted Addiction Treatment Professional (MAATP) certification is preferred
• Bilingual is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and the range of psychological, biological, and social issues, commitment to confidentiality, ethics, and a culturally sensitive approach to behavioral counseling and service delivery.
• Ability to function autonomously as a behavioral health clinician and as a team member on a multidisciplinary team and with other service area managers, excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Flexibility, creativity, and comfort in working in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to meet deadlines and coordinate multiple tasks.
• Demonstrated administrative and leadership skills.

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?”

• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver’s License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

*Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States’ territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U. S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents bust be presented at time of interview.

• Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.

• CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH & HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER