La Frontera Center logo
La Frontera Center
Tempe, Arizona

Medical Director EMPACT

PsychiatryFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 47m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Who We Are

EMPACT- Suicide Prevention Center, part of the La Frontera Arizona family, is an industry-leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing valued community services and resources for behavioral health counseling, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention since 1987. We are an EEO/AA Employer.

What You’ll Do

The Medical Director supervises and provides clinical oversight to staff/contract practitioners, psychiatrists, and medical professionals. The Medical Director will review and evaluate the treatment procedures and outcomes of the prescribers to ensure they are in accordance with provision of services and/or agency requirements. They will ensure the quality of care given to our behavioral health clients is clinically appropriate and evidence based.

Essential Responsibilities

  • Direct the day-to-day operations of the outpatient clinical programs. Ensure the productivity of the department and monitor individual staff performance to meet productivity standards
  • Responsible for the overall direction and management of outpatient clinical staff including selection, training and development, goal setting, evaluation, performance feedback, and ensuring a positive and respectful work environment.
  • Provide administrative and clinical supervision of Program Managers and indirect supervision to all departmental staff.
  • Development and implementation of policies and procedures for delivery of outpatient clinical programs according to the Arizona Practice Model.
  • Maintain quality assurance of department's service delivery including clinical care and documentation. Monitor and maintain all client records in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
  • Participate in utilization review functions associated with department. Recommend changes that would improve service delivery and implement changes and new programming as directed
  • Monitor the reporting of services, establish evaluation guidelines, and ensure that programmatic contract requirements are met.
  • Provide community outreach. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all related state, community behavioral health, and contracting organizations. Identify potential opportunities for new business development.
  • Assists in grant preparation through direct writing and through work with the managers in the design of new programs. Assist the managers/clinical coordinators with the provision of program details and information to assist in the budget process.
  • Assist in the preparation of departmental budget and demonstrate a functional responsibility for administering and managing the approved departmental budget.
  • Work cooperatively with the Director of Finance to provide cost/benefit analysis of new programs, services, and contractual relationships with contracting organizations, and development of efficient operating systems, and information systems that meet the organization's billing, data processing, and research needs
  • Instruct and train volunteers, interns, contract staff and regular staff in their respective disciplines as assigned.
  • Negotiate contracts with providers of clinical, prevention and training services, including psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, trainers, other programs, and specialty services.
  • Participate in agency fund raising activities as requested by management.
  • Work as part of the agency executive team to further the organizational mission and goals.
  • Attend management and administrative meetings.

What You’ll Provide

  • Valid Arizona License to practice Medicine.
  • Completion of Psychiatric Residency Training and DEA Registration.
  • Minimum of five years of experience as a Psychiatrist with experience in psychiatric emergency service, clinic, or mental health center.
  • Eligible to participate in the Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs.
  • Eligible to be credentialed by the ADHS and Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA).
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Detail oriented and strong organization skills.
  • Strong internal and external customer service skills.
  • Previous management experience including responsibilities for hiring, training, assigning work and managing performance of staff.
  • Experience treating or managing care for a culturally diverse population preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to remain calm in crisis situations, work independently and cooperatively, recognize personal limitations, and relate positively and with empathy to all persons regardless of age, race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation.
  • If driving while on agency time or on agency business, a valid Arizona driver license and appropriate liability insurance and approval for liability coverage with EMPACT - SPC’s liability insurance carrier is required. At time of hire, a 3-year state driving record with no major infractions or excessive driving violations/tickets is required.

What You’ll Experience

  • The typical work environment will be working indoors in a medical office setting.
  • This position requires the candidate to be 21 years old or older at time of employment.
  • A fingerprint clearance card is a requirement of employment.
  • Employees must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.
  • Occasional travel to training and out-of-state locations may occur as needed.
  • Possibility to work from home may be necessary.

What We'll Offer

(Full-time employees)

  • Generous PTO
  • 10 paid holidays per year
  • Medical plans (3 choices)
  • Dental plans (2 choices)
  • Vision plans (2 choices)
  • 403(b) retirement plan
  • Retirement Allowance
  • Company-paid Life/AD&D and Long Term Disability
  • Voluntary additional Life and Short-term Disability
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Licensure Reimbursement
  • Elder Care Assistance
  • Pet Insurance and much more!

EMPACT-SPC is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services and accredited by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) AND The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

EMPACT-SPC/La Frontera Arizona provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

All employees of EMPACT-SPC and La Frontera Arizona are employees "at will" as that term is understood in the State of Arizona. This means that employment may be terminated at any time without prior notice and for no stated reason.

EMPACT-SPC/La Frontera Arizona reserves the right to modify position descriptions as needed and without notice. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Key Responsibilities

The Medical Director provides clinical oversight and supervision to psychiatric and medical staff while ensuring the quality and productivity of outpatient clinical programs. They are responsible for policy development, budget management, and maintaining effective relationships with community and state behavioral health organizations.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a valid Arizona medical license, have completed a psychiatric residency, and possess at least five years of experience in psychiatric emergency or mental health settings. Strong management experience and the ability to work in a culturally diverse environment are required.

Qualifications

Experience
5+ years of experience

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Psychiatric oversightStaff managementContract negotiationEvidence-based practiceDocumentation compliancePerformance management

Psychiatry — Physician Career Context

Of the 50 active Psychiatry listings this role was benchmarked against, 28% are remote, 58% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Arizona is 100.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 60.3% of Arizona clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Psychiatry pay on WeekdayDoc is up 8.3% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Medical Director EMPACT at La Frontera Center a 6.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Physician roles — ranked against 21,509 active Physician roles listings on WeekdayDoc.

Top Psychiatrist Jobs

35 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution32 jobs · 22 employers

8
<$350k
4
$350k-400k
3
$400k-450k
11
$450k-500k
6
$500k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks22 jobs

401k / retirement match
77% this job
CME allowance
68%
Sign-on bonus
45%
Loan repayment
14%
Visa sponsorship
14%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Psychiatrist (MD/DO)Contract

North Carolina Mental Health and Psychiatry Group · Durham, North Carolina

$210-$270/hr
#2

Clinical Psychiatrist - Adult

LifeStance Health · Des Moines, Iowa

$320k-$500k
#3

Clinical Psychiatrist - Child/Adolescent

$320k-$500k
#4

Interventional Psychiatrist

$500k
+ 33 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.4this job 6.1
Better work-life than 50% of Psychiatry listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,864 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Tempe

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$454k
Typical market rent
$1,649/mo
Residents’ average commute
21 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
103.3
State income tax
Up to 2.5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

La Frontera Center logo

About La Frontera Center

Mental Health Care
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Generous PTO
10 paid holidays per year
Medical plans (3 choices)
Dental plans (2 choices)
Vision plans (2 choices)
403(b) retirement plan
Retirement Allowance
Company-paid Life/AD&D and Long Term Disability