Director of Behavioral Health

ABOUT SHEPHERD’S CLINIC

Founded in 1991, Shepherd’s Clinic began as a grassroots effort in a Baltimore row house, staffed by volunteers, to respond to the overcrowding of the hospital’s emergency room by non-emergency, uninsured patients. In 2006, a permanent facility was secured, with a Wellness Center added in 2008. In 2016, the Clinic expanded further with the addition of a Behavioral Health Program. For over 30 years, the Clinic has worked to eliminate health disparities by offering integrated medical, behavioral health, and wellness services.

Today, Shepherd’s Clinic operates with a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, collectively providing over 11,000 patient encounters annually. The Clinic’s integrative care model encompasses medical care, mental health services, wellness programs, and support for social determinants of health, including food security resources, transportation assistance, and insurance and enrollment assistance. Our key programs address chronic disease management and prevention.

Shepherd’s Clinic is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Employment at Shepherd’s Clinic is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Position Summary:

The Behavioral Health Director provides strategic leadership, clinical oversight, and program development for the Behavioral Health Department at a small free and charitable clinic that offers integrated services across medical care, behavioral health, and wellness. This role ensures high-quality, trauma-informed, culturally responsive behavioral health services for uninsured and under-insured patients, while fostering strong collaboration with medical and wellness center teams.

The Director is responsible for supervising clinical staff and interns, managing workflow and operations, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and ethical standards, expanding community partnerships, and promoting whole-person care within the clinic’s integrated model.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Administration

• Provide vision and direction for all behavioral health services within an integrated care framework.
• Oversee daily operations of the Behavioral Health Department, including scheduling, caseload management, documentation workflows, and program efficiency.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and evidence-based practices consistent with ethical guidelines and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate closely with the Medical Director, Wellness Center leadership, and Executive leadership to support coordinated, interdisciplinary care.
• Participate in leadership meetings, contribute to strategic planning, and support the development of clinic-wide initiatives.
• Oversee departmental staffing by appropriately hiring and offboarding licensed clinicians, graduate interns, and administrative staff as needed.
• Manage departmental resource allocation, including budgeting and coordinating fundraising efforts for special events throughout the year.

Clinical Oversight

• Provide weekly and monthly clinical supervision and training to behavioral health clinicians, graduate interns, and trainees.
• Maintain a small caseload of mental health patients, providing clinically appropriate mental health treatment based on mental health assessment and treatment plans.
• Oversee assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and delivery of therapeutic services for all departmental clinical staff.
• Remain available to address clinical mental health crises or emergencies during clinic operating hours, ensuring timely and appropriate support.
• Ensure services adhere to trauma-informed, culturally affirming, and patient-centered best practices.
• Support integrated care pathways, including warm handoffs, same-day behavioral health consults, and collaborative case reviews.
• Develop and monitor quality improvement metrics, outcome measures, and reports.

Program Development & Community Engagement

• Expand behavioral health service offerings—including individual therapy, groups, psychoeducation workshops, and case management support.
• Build partnerships with community agencies, universities, and referral networks to strengthen resource availability and training pipelines.
• Support grant-writing, reporting, and program evaluation to sustain and grow behavioral health services.
• Establish annual goals for the Behavioral Health department and monitor progress regularly to ensure timely achievement.
• Represent the clinic in local coalitions, collaborative networks, and community initiatives promoting health equity and access to care.

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, state mental health regulations, professional ethics, and clinic policies.
• Monitor the quality and timeliness of clinical documentation, treatment plans, and outcome tracking.
• Collect, organize, and maintain clinical and departmental data for the Behavioral Health department on a monthly and quarterly basis.
• Maintain required licensure and certifications for self and supervisees.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in counseling or social work, or a closely related mental health field.
• Independent clinical licensure (e.g., LCPC, LCSW-C, or equivalent) in Maryland and Board-approved supervisor status.
• Clinical experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Strong understanding of integrated healthcare, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based practices.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and team-building skills.

Preferred

• Experience in a free or charitable clinic, FQHC, or nonprofit healthcare setting.
• Experience working with underserved, uninsured, or medically vulnerable populations.
• Additional training in clinical supervision.
• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency.
• Familiarity with data tracking, EHR systems, and quality improvement processes.

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Education:

• Master's (Required)