Mental Health Section Chief

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.

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.