Chair, Behavioral Health

Explore opportunities at Atrius Health abd Reliant Medical Group, both, part of the Optum family of businesses. We’re an innovative health care leader and multi-specialty group practice, delivering an effective, connected system of care for adult and pediatric patients at 28 practice locations in eastern Massachusetts. Our entire team of providers (physicians, AP/NPs and ancillary clinicians) works collaboratively with a value-based philosophy within our group practice as well as with hospitals, rehab and nursing facilities. Be part of our vision to transform care and improve lives by building trust, understanding and shared decision-making with every patient. Join us and discover the meaning behind Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Under the supervision of the Executive Chair, Primary Care, provides leadership of clinical care in the Behavioral Health Division for Optum MA. The Chair’s efforts are focused on aligning clinical activities and initiatives to meet access, service and quality standards. The Chair is responsible for the implementation of mission-specific strategies and departmental initiatives, working collaboratively with colleagues and staff, leaders, our patients and the community at large. The individual is a respected clinician, acting as a role model for staff, and is an inquiring, analytic and independent thinker, passionate about continuous improvement. The Chair creates and sustains environment that promotes accountability, teamwork, and endorses change.

If you are located in Massachusetts, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities

Ensures that the department’s patients receive high quality, patient centric and safe care

Serves as front line clinician leader responsible for execution of organizational goals. Sets appropriate expectations and accountability for meeting organizational goals. Ensures that organizational goals and objectives are well communicated to all staff in order to promote understanding and alignment with the strategic goals of the organization

Energizes the staff to move toward acceptance of new initiatives. Seeks opportunities to translate initiatives into practical application. Encourages involvement and creativity of clinical and non-clinical staff to achieve objectives

Understands, promotes, and spreads population health strategies to deliver great outcomes and performance metrics for all patients

Supports mission of our practice by interfacing with local community organizations (Schools, Social Services, Other health-based agencies) pursuing opportunities to optimize the health of our patients

Ensures that clinicians utilize hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other high-cost inpatient and outpatient services appropriately. Works with Chairs and others to achieve utilization targets. Works with specialists or others to facilitate internal referrals

Oversees the monitoring of clinician utilization of services both internally and externally. Provides individual profiles and feedback to their direct reports on their performance. Facilitates education and retraining, where necessary, to improve utilization performance

Engages staff in formulating effective working relationships within the department. Promotes a collaborative team-based work environment and manages conflicts that may arise within and/or between departments, and with employees and patients

As the clinical leader for the team, supervises the physicians, Advanced Practice Clinicians and Behavioral Health clinicians collaborating closely with other clinical and non-clinical staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities within areas of responsibility in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. May also consult and advise in the hiring of non-clinical staff. Ensures that all clinicians within department receive appropriate orientation and mentoring

Ensures adequate clinical office and on-call coverage for the practice. Assesses local department clinician and non-clinician staffing needs

Provides general business leadership including a basic understanding of practice finances. Works on issues related to the departmental budget

Accountable for the financial performance of the division of behavioral health

Leads by creating a culture that is responsive to the changing marketplace, values the customer, recognizes the importance of service, respects diversity, and is cost-effective and productive in its delivery of services to all patients. Recognizes and acknowledges the achievements of clinicians or others who help to transform the culture

Maintains an active practice as a clinical provider

Ensures standards of care for the region are established, communicated, and practiced by all clinicians within the region. Ensures the development, implementation and acceptance of clinical guidelines and protocols for the region. Ensures coordination of all care, including diagnostic exams and treatments, specialty services, acute care, skilled nursing care and home care are coordinated and that the patient is involved in decision making regarding their plan of care

Oversees the development of the business and marketing plans to promote the service, both internally and externally, in conjunction with leaders, administrative partners and others. Makes decisions based on business plans as required or directed. Oversees the development and implementation of programs that enhance business outcomes of the practice. Monitors the impact of programs including marketing, community relations and involvement, employer group outreach, partnering with local providers, etc.

Analyzes a variety of work processes and determines how the work should be arranged to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the site. May coordinate research, analysis, planning, corrective actions, communication and implementation

Oversees the recruitment of new clinicians in conjunction with the recruiting department. Establishes manpower needs and productivity standards. Oversees the orientation of new clinicians to the standards and processes of the region. Develops fair and comprehensible compensation system for the department in accordance with principles approved by the Chief Medical Officer and Optum MA. Works to ensure clinician satisfaction and a high level of retention and morale within the region. Works with Operational Department leaders to monitor and improve operational supports for the practices

Evaluates and mentors clinicians and staff for both clinical and managerial skills. Recruits, trains, evaluates, and sets goals for direct reports and holds them accountable for clinician evaluations and all other duties as outlined in their job descriptions

Directs and supervises assigned personnel including performance evaluations, scheduling, orientation, and training. Makes recommendations on employee hire, transfers, promotions, salary changes, discipline, terminations, and other similar actions. Resolves grievances and other personnel problems within position responsibilities

Develops and recommends the operating and capital budgets for the areas managed. Manages activities to assure financial goals met. Monitors expenditures for compliance to approved budget. Resolves discrepancies

Coordinates the assignment of tasks and helps resolve technical and operational problems. Evaluates the impact of solutions to ensure goals are achieved

Provides effective direction, guidance, and leadership over the staff for effective teamwork and motivation, and fosters the effective integration of efforts with organization-wide initiatives

Ensures compliance with regulatory agencies such as DPH, etc. Develops and maintains procedures necessary to meet regulatory requirement

Ensures that assigned area comply with established policies, quality assurance programs, safety, and infection control policies and procedures

• Ensures adequate equipment and supplies for assigned area
• Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises group of clinical exempt and nonexempt staff, including subordinate supervisors and managers

Carries out supervisory responsibilities within areas of responsibility in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws

Provides direction and support to staff to assure departmental effectiveness and efficiency

Responsibilities include interviewing, selecting, orienting and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; evaluating performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; reviewing personnel actions of subordinates and addressing complaints and resolving problems

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications

Board certified and fully licensed in the state of MA. Credentialed in the clinical role. Actively practicing in the area of specialty. Understanding of basic quality assessment and improvement methods

• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) may be required based on specialty

5+ years of experience and skills as a well-respected clinician (in larger departments or areas 3-5 years of experience may be preferred)

• Clinician supervisory experience, including coaching, giving feedback, setting goals, evaluating performance
• Business planning and operational experience
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex matrix organizations in healthcare
• Understanding of managed care, fee-for-service medical practice and changing health care industry
• Demonstrates leadership that creates and fosters a culture of continuous process improvement in the department

Demonstrated inquiring, analytic and independent thinker, respectful and engaging of staff, and passionate about continuous improvement in the pursuit of transformational exce