Behavioral Health Services Consultant

Company Background

The Iowa Primary Care Association (Iowa PCA) has supported Iowa's community health centers for over 36 years to expand access to affordable, high quality, integrated care. The Iowa PCA, along with our sister companies INConcertCare (INCC) and IowaHealth (IH ), provides training, technical assistance, and shared services opportunities in quality improvement, value-based care, health information technology, and other areas. We are now expanding our services through a new partnership with Iowa Health and Human Services to serve as the new statewide Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization (BH-ASO). It's an exciting opportunity to expand our efforts and connection to the broader behavioral health safety net.

Purpose of the Position

The
Behavioral Health Services Consultant – Recovery
specializes in expanding and strengthening statewide recovery supports for individuals experiencing substance use disorders (SUD), problem gambling, and misuse of alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine. This role leads efforts to implement integrated, evidence-based recovery models such as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), while promoting peer support, residential care, and community-based recovery services. Serving as the statewide subject matter expert, the Consultant provides training and technical assistance to providers and stakeholders, ensuring recovery services are accessible, high-quality, and culturally competent. Through strategic partnerships and system-level coordination, this position advances Iowa's vision for a recovery-oriented behavioral health system that prioritizes long-term wellness and sustained engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Development and Implementation

• Support alignment of behavioral health recovery service efforts with the Iowa Behavioral Health Service System Statewide Plan, federal block grant priorities, and evidence-based frameworks and practices. (e.g. Medication-Assisted Treatment [MAT], Medication for Opioid Disorder [MOUD], peer support, relapse prevention, and trauma-informed care).
• Ensure linkage to Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to support individuals in recovery by connecting them to income supports, housing services, and other essential resources that promote long-term stability and wellness.
• Analyze data to identify trends, service gaps, and priority needs across the behavioral health service continuum for area of focus.
• Design and/or provide guidance on the development and implementation of evidence-based behavioral health recovery services and models, including SUD, problem gambling, alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine misuse.
• Provide expert consultation and collaboration with stakeholders on evaluating gap assessment results and recommending and implementing appropriate recovery service strategies that align with statewide behavioral health objectives.
• Stay abreast of current research, trends and evidence-based best practices in behavioral health services assigned focus area(s).
• Lead development, relative to the assigned focus area(s), of appropriate policies, protocols, and procedures, including clinical, administrative, and operational, which are in compliance with the most current accepted professional standards for providers across Iowa.
• Provide support to the development of processes to improve operational efficiency and meet providers and partners' strategic goals related to integrated health, with a focus on assigned area(s). Assist providers in creating workflows to optimize care delivery, introduce best practice improvements and/or promising practices, and evaluate outcomes. Meet with providers as needed to facilitate progress and address barriers.
• Participate in and support internal continuous improvement projects and apply subject matter expertise to continuously improve program strategies and effectiveness.

Partnership and Collaboration

• Establish and maintain strong state and regional partnerships to support coordinated, integrated care delivery and optimize recovery outcomes across the behavioral health continuum.
• Serve as a liaison to statewide coalitions, task forces, and workgroups focused on behavioral health recovery, fostering collaboration across disciplines and settings including medical and behavioral health providers, addiction treatment professionals, academic institutions, and community organizations to ensure consistent and comprehensive services across the state.
• Represent the organization in key statewide initiatives to ensure consistent, comprehensive, and culturally responsive recovery services.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams to provide subject matter expertise and strategic guidance to Iowa PCA, IowaHealth , INConcertCare, and BH-ASO committees and workgroups.
• Lead or support select internal and external committees and workgroups related to assigned focus areas.

Technical Assistance and Training

• Provide expert clinical consultation and technical assistance to providers and partners on recovery strategies and evidence-based practices for the full spectrum of behavioral health services (e.g., substance use disorders, problem gambling, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine cessation and other addiction recovery services, inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based recovery services).
• Develop and deliver engaging training, webinars, presentations, and educational materials to enhance provider competencies in mental health and substance use recovery strategies and/or interventions.
• Apply continuous improvement and facilitation tools to support measurable, sustainable improvements in patient and provider outcomes.
• Support the development and implementation of integrated health strategies and alternative care modalities, including telehealth, mobile health, school-based clinics, home visits, and care management.
• Assist providers in optimizing Electronic Health Record (EHR) use to support workflows, data collection, and project goals; develop subject matter expertise in hosted EHR systems as needed.
• Facilitate and participate in team meetings, workgroups, learning cohorts, Project ECHOs, and statewide or cross-state coalitions to advance innovation and strategic planning.
• Coordinate and contribute content to in-person Transformation Collaborative events held tri-annually and as needed.

Evaluation and Reporting

• Collaborate with data analysts and evaluators to develop and implement methods for monitoring and evaluating program outcomes, quality, and performance measures across the full continuum of behavioral health services.
• Prepare regular reports that demonstrate the reach, effectiveness, and impact of recovery initiatives.
• Support data collection and analysis efforts related to integrated health initiatives specific to assigned focus areas.
• Manage assigned federal and/or state grant programs, including coordination with participating providers, partners, and grantors to ensure objectives are met, documentation is completed, and progress is communicated.
• Assist with the preparation and presentation of progress updates to boards, committees, members, and executive teams, aligning outcomes with strategic, programmatic, and funder goals.

Resource Development

• Assist in developing grant applications or other funding proposals, reports, and policy recommendations related to the full continuum of care for behavioral health services, including recommendations related to substance abuse recovery and support services.

Public Awareness and Communication

• Participate in policy formulation related to clinical standards, guidelines, and behavioral health service delivery and effective and accessible substance use recovery services.
• Advise on culturally responsive and inclusive strategies to engage underserved and high-risk persons in behavioral health service

Qualifications

Education
:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Nursing or a related clinical field required. Master's or Doctorate degree preferred.
• Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) to practice in the State of Iowa strongly preferred.
• Certification in specific evidence-based treatments (CBT, DBT, EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT) preferred.
• Intermediate Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IADC), Intermediate Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IAADC), in the State of Iowa strongly preferred.
• Certification in specialized addiction treatments (MAT/MOUD, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, NCNTT) preferred.

Experience
:

• At least five years' clinical experience in behavioral health recovery, including treatment of substance use disorders, gambling addiction, or other addiction-related conditions services. Experience in direct patient care and working within recovery-oriented systems of care is preferred.
• At least three years of experience in statewide behavioral health initiatives or large-scale healthcare system coordination.
• Demonstrated expertise in public health principles and evidence-based models.
• Strong understanding of Iowa's behavioral health system and public health infrastructure.
• Experience using data analysis to drive strategic planning, develop programs, design technical assistance and/or process redesign in either a consulting role or a supporting role, preferably in behavioral health at the community or systems level.
• Experience planning and facilitating meetings and group work in a highly collaborative, interdependent environment.

Work Environment and Travel

On-site work required at least two days per week, with travel across Iowa to support district operations and attend conferences or meetings.