Director of Mental Health (Psychologist)

• Job Location: Essex County Correctional Facility - Newark, NJ
• Position Type: Full Time
• Salary Range: $70.00 - $71.00Hourly
• Job Shift: Day

The Director of Mental Health provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and clinical direction for behavioral health programs across multiple sites or regions.

This position is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based behavioral health services while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards, accreditation requirements, and organizational goals.

The Director of Mental Health collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes, enhance program performance, support staff development, and ensure continuity of care.

Qualifications: Essential Duties And

Provide leadership and oversight for behavioral health operations for assigned facility Develop and implement strategic initiatives that align with organizational goals and improve behavioral health services. Monitor program performance, quality metrics, and patient outcomes to ensure effective service delivery.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, accreditation standards, and organizational policies. Lead and support site, clinicians, and interdisciplinary care teams. Conduct regular audits to evaluate operational effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.

Oversee staffing models, workforce planning, recruitment support, and retention strategies. Partner with Human Resources and clinical leadership regarding hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management. Review and analyze key performance indicators, productivity measures, and behavioral health reports.

Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and clinical workflows. Identify and implement quality improvement initiatives and corrective action plans. Collaborate with medical, nursing, correctional, and administrative leadership teams to coordinate integrated patient care.

Manage departmental budgets and assist with financial planning and resource allocation. Serve as a liaison between site level staff and regional behavioral health teams. Participate in meetings, committees, and leadership initiatives as assigned.

Provide on-call support for the facility 24/7, including after-hours coverage, to address mental health needs and clinical matters. The Site Mental Health Director is expected to remain available for on-call responsibilities unless alternative coverage arrangements have been approved.

Respond to urgent operational or clinical issues. Other duties as assigned.

Education Doctoral degree in Psychology Licensure/Certification The following active and unrestricted licenses is required based on organizational needs: Licensed Psychologist Experience Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive behavioral health leadership experience.

Minimum of 3 years managing a site, program, or regional operation is preferred. Experience in correctional healthcare, community mental health, hospital systems, or integrated healthcare settings preferred. Experience with regulatory agencies and accreditation standards is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Strong leadership and team development skills. Knowledge of behavioral health regulations, standards, and evidence-based practices. Experience with quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives. Ability to analyze data and make operational decisions.

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. Strong organizational and project management abilities. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR) and Microsoft Office applications.

Ability to travel to facilities if you are assigned to more than one location.

Organizational Expectations Provides a positive and professional representation of CFG Health Systems, LLC. Promotes a culture of safety for patients and employees through proper identification, reporting, documentation, and prevention Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends, and developments in related scope of job role or practice Adheres to infection control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations Participate in ongoing quality improvement activities Completes required orientation as directed by the facility Follows facility and OSHA safety rules and procedures while on assignment Follows facility and CFG Health Systems Occurrence Protocol Upholds HIPAA and PREA regulations Punctual and dependable for assigned/confirmed shifts Maintains security clearance for the assigned facility Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and talk or hear.

The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employees must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. #Ll-DT1