Mental Health Section Chief

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

Administrative & Supervisory Responsibilities (40% time) Plans - controls - organizes - & directs the activities of staff within the IMPACT Unit - ensuring compliance with legal & regulatory requirements and meets customer and stakeholder needs

Develops goals & objectives that integrate organization & multidisciplinary staff objectives

Plans - analyzes & monitors data from VSSC - ProClarity & other VA databases to ensure IU is succeeding on all performance measures & monitors related to IU's functioning

Researches - interprets - analyzes and applies MHCL - VASDHS - VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network - JCAHO - CARF and related professional - Federal and VHA policies - procedures - and guidelines to ensure compliance and successful outcomes for any site visit or audit

Establishes - assesses & revises policies and procedures for administrative & clinical operations of staff within the IMPACT Unit

Plans and schedules work in a manner that promotes a smooth flow & even distribution

Coordinates plans &d schedules with other IULs - managers & customers as appropriate

Identifies need for changes in priorities & takes action to implement such changes

Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates - sets & adjusts short-term priorities - & prepares schedules

Assigns work to subordinate employees based on the IUL priorities & consideration of difficulty & requirements of assignments such that the experience - training - & abilities of staff are effectively utilized to meet organization & customer needs

Balances workload & provides advice - guidance - & direction on a wide range of clinical - budgetary & administrative issues

Structures assignments to create effective & economical positions

Coordinates with IULs - Office of Mental Health - Service Chiefs & Leads - & customers as appropriate

Reviews MHCL organization mission - functions - & staffing

Identifies requirements & initiates requests for additional resources including personnel - overtime - equipment - supplies - & space to ensure success in meeting goals and objectives

Works with subordinates to ensure optimal utilization of training resources & - if appropriate - ensures high quality training is provided within the IU

Works with subordinates to ensure optimal utilization of research resources and - if appropriate - ensures that clinical and research missions are coordinated within the IU to optimize organizational excellence

Administrative and statistical reporting - including NEPEC - JCAHO - CARF - SWIMS - the recording of encounters - trainings and community liaison activities will be timely - correct and in compliance with VA policy

Other required reports will be completed in a timely - correct and in compliance with VA policy

Other required reports will be completed in a timely and accurate manner as needed and requested

Direct Patient Care (at least 55% time) Provides direct services to patients and their families utilizing a comprehensive range of techniques - skills - and resources

Provides a documented - comprehensive assessment of the bio-psychosocial needs of the patient/caregiver situation - for individuals enrolled in the MHCL/ VASDHS

Develops a documented treatment plan for identified needs

Assesses patient's eligibility for VA and other governmental benefits and assists in application for benefits where eligibility exists

Refers to community agencies for any needs of the patient and his family - which cannot be met by the VA

Provides information on the biopsychosocial aspects of the patient and his/her situation at the request of the treatment team

Informs providers about interventions that occur without formal consultation - as a means of providing comprehensive and coordinated care

Counsels and supports patient's caregivers/significant others in order to establish and maintain a supportive environment conducive to the recovery of the patient

Collaborates with other team members to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for patients and documents interdisciplinary care in the computerized record

Maintains a current community resource file by seeking out new information on agencies and programs that would benefit the veteran

Develops networks with a wide array of public and private organizations to meet the needs of veterans

This involves establishing meaningful communications and ongoing dialogue with such agencies in order to keep abreast of new programs - changes - procedures - or other entitlements/ eligibility areas of interest to our veteran population Budgetary Responsibilities (up to 5% time) Provides for maintenance of data related to budget and expenditure estimates

Provides for the best patient care without exceeding allotted budget

Works in close coordination with the ACOS for Mental Health or designee - Health Systems Specialist (HSS) for Mental Health - Chief Fiscal Officer (CFO) - VISN 22 Mental Health Lead - and non-profit recipients to provide budget analysis and statistics

All other duties as assigned.