Associate Behavioral Health Director
Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
Company Description
Western Washington University, one of six state-funded four-year institutions in Washington, is the third-largest university in the state. Serving over 16,000 students, the university offers more than 175 academic programs. Western combines the personalized attention and access of a smaller college with the academic diversity, resources, and inclusive campus culture of a larger institution. Located in Bellingham, WA, Western fosters a vibrant and supportive community dedicated to student success.
Role Description The Associate Behavioral Health Director is a permanent, full-time professional staff position reporting to the Director of the Student Health Center (SHC). This role combines direct psychiatric clinical care with administrative oversight of WWU’s psychiatric and behavioral healthcare services in the Student Health Center. The director is responsible for delivering psychiatric evaluations and medication management to students, managing the day-to-day operations of the SHC Behavioral Health team, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards, and contributing to strategic planning and community engagement efforts. This position plays a central role in facilitating integrated, accessible, and high-quality behavioral health care that meets the needs of WWU’s diverse student population.
Position Duties and Responsibilities 70% Direct Clinical Services: Psychiatric assessment, diagnosis and treatment for a wide variety of mental health conditions, including complex bipolar and psychotic disorders. Provide prescription and medication oversight and consult for crisis intervention. Obtain medical history, perform physical assessment, establish diagnoses, provide medical consultations, order and interpret lab and other studies, arrange consultations. Prescribe medications or other treatments and arrange follow-up for patients based upon diagnoses. Help to arrange emergency care and hospitalization when appropriate. Accurately and fully document histories, physical exams, behavioral observations, diagnoses, telephone consultations and treatments according to clinical and medical records protocols. Personally review and electronically sign all reports of labs and other tests, consultation reports and transferred medical records. Regularly update each patient's electronic chart as indicated. Facilitate referrals, coordinate care across campus and community services. Provide on call coverage on a rotating schedule for psychiatric concerns including medication refills, critical lab results, and calls from community providers 20% Program Management, Administration and Collaboration: Oversee day-to-day operations of the SHC's behavioral health services including direct supervision of Behavioral health counseling and nursing staff and psychiatric prescribers (currently psychiatric nurse practitioners and temporary psychiatrists) Work collaboratively with the Counseling and Wellness Center to integrate behavioral health services Formulate, implement, and monitor behavioral health policies and procedures in compliance with AAAHC accreditation and state regulations Serve on the Integrated Behavioral Health Team and on the SHC Governing Body Plan and implement behavioral health in-service trainings and staff development Provide consultation, support, and clinical oversight to SHC staff and psychiatric consultants Monitor suicide and substance use screening protocols in coordination with campus partners Analyze and report behavioral health utilization and outcomes data to inform resource allocation and service model adjustments Conduct work assignments in support of an inclusive environment for staff and students, the development of cultural competency skills, and the delivery of programs that support the diversity objectives of the campus community Serve as primary behavioral health liaison to campus partners (Counseling and Wellness Center, Office of Student Life, Disability Access Center, Student Care and Concern Team) Maintain collaborative relationships with community mental health and healthcare providers (e.g., PeaceHealth, Sea Mar, UnityCare NW) Participate in university-wide behavioral health coordination and outreach efforts 10% Leadership and Strategic Planning: Participate in SHC leadership team activities and provide input on strategic goals related to student mental health Supervise psychiatric providers and behavioral health counselors at the SHC, including scheduling, timesheet approvals, evaluations, performance monitoring and improvement plans, and other supervisory tasks Contribute to clinical staff hiring processes, workforce planning, and initiatives to improve access to mental health services Provide subject matter expertise in behavioral health during program evaluations, committee work, and policy development Foster a professional work environment that is collaborative, caring, and supports student and staff well-being Perform other duties as assigned by the Director
Qualifications Board Certified Psychiatrist or Doctoral level Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Minimum of three years of administrative experience in a healthcare setting, including supervision Current unrestricted Washington State license or ability to be licensed by time of hire in Washington State, with maintenance of continuing education requirements Current DEA registration Current CPR certification Demonstrated clinical experience diagnosing, treating, and managing acute and chronic psychiatric conditions Experience conducting mental health risk assessments and providing crisis intervention Strong written and verbal communication skills Experience with electronic health records and ability to manage care through telemedicine Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams A strong commitment to creating a culturally responsive environment for staff and students, and the development of cultural engagement and responsiveness skills Strong commitment to patient-centered care, staff wellness, and equity.
Role Description The Associate Behavioral Health Director is a permanent, full-time professional staff position reporting to the Director of the Student Health Center (SHC). This role combines direct psychiatric clinical care with administrative oversight of WWU’s psychiatric and behavioral healthcare services in the Student Health Center. The director is responsible for delivering psychiatric evaluations and medication management to students, managing the day-to-day operations of the SHC Behavioral Health team, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards, and contributing to strategic planning and community engagement efforts. This position plays a central role in facilitating integrated, accessible, and high-quality behavioral health care that meets the needs of WWU’s diverse student population.
Position Duties and Responsibilities 70% Direct Clinical Services: Psychiatric assessment, diagnosis and treatment for a wide variety of mental health conditions, including complex bipolar and psychotic disorders. Provide prescription and medication oversight and consult for crisis intervention. Obtain medical history, perform physical assessment, establish diagnoses, provide medical consultations, order and interpret lab and other studies, arrange consultations. Prescribe medications or other treatments and arrange follow-up for patients based upon diagnoses. Help to arrange emergency care and hospitalization when appropriate. Accurately and fully document histories, physical exams, behavioral observations, diagnoses, telephone consultations and treatments according to clinical and medical records protocols. Personally review and electronically sign all reports of labs and other tests, consultation reports and transferred medical records. Regularly update each patient's electronic chart as indicated. Facilitate referrals, coordinate care across campus and community services. Provide on call coverage on a rotating schedule for psychiatric concerns including medication refills, critical lab results, and calls from community providers 20% Program Management, Administration and Collaboration: Oversee day-to-day operations of the SHC's behavioral health services including direct supervision of Behavioral health counseling and nursing staff and psychiatric prescribers (currently psychiatric nurse practitioners and temporary psychiatrists) Work collaboratively with the Counseling and Wellness Center to integrate behavioral health services Formulate, implement, and monitor behavioral health policies and procedures in compliance with AAAHC accreditation and state regulations Serve on the Integrated Behavioral Health Team and on the SHC Governing Body Plan and implement behavioral health in-service trainings and staff development Provide consultation, support, and clinical oversight to SHC staff and psychiatric consultants Monitor suicide and substance use screening protocols in coordination with campus partners Analyze and report behavioral health utilization and outcomes data to inform resource allocation and service model adjustments Conduct work assignments in support of an inclusive environment for staff and students, the development of cultural competency skills, and the delivery of programs that support the diversity objectives of the campus community Serve as primary behavioral health liaison to campus partners (Counseling and Wellness Center, Office of Student Life, Disability Access Center, Student Care and Concern Team) Maintain collaborative relationships with community mental health and healthcare providers (e.g., PeaceHealth, Sea Mar, UnityCare NW) Participate in university-wide behavioral health coordination and outreach efforts 10% Leadership and Strategic Planning: Participate in SHC leadership team activities and provide input on strategic goals related to student mental health Supervise psychiatric providers and behavioral health counselors at the SHC, including scheduling, timesheet approvals, evaluations, performance monitoring and improvement plans, and other supervisory tasks Contribute to clinical staff hiring processes, workforce planning, and initiatives to improve access to mental health services Provide subject matter expertise in behavioral health during program evaluations, committee work, and policy development Foster a professional work environment that is collaborative, caring, and supports student and staff well-being Perform other duties as assigned by the Director
Qualifications Board Certified Psychiatrist or Doctoral level Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Minimum of three years of administrative experience in a healthcare setting, including supervision Current unrestricted Washington State license or ability to be licensed by time of hire in Washington State, with maintenance of continuing education requirements Current DEA registration Current CPR certification Demonstrated clinical experience diagnosing, treating, and managing acute and chronic psychiatric conditions Experience conducting mental health risk assessments and providing crisis intervention Strong written and verbal communication skills Experience with electronic health records and ability to manage care through telemedicine Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams A strong commitment to creating a culturally responsive environment for staff and students, and the development of cultural engagement and responsiveness skills Strong commitment to patient-centered care, staff wellness, and equity.