Senior Director Behavioral Health

Description

The Senior Director, Behavioral Health is accountable for leading, setting strategic direction, coordinating, and supporting the Behavioral Health service line for the Providence Swedish North Service Area (NWSA). Reporting directly to the PRMCE Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and with a matrix reporting relationship to the CNO of Swedish Edmonds, this role partners closely with intraprofessional teams, community stakeholders, and system leadership to improve patient care and promote high‑quality, cost‑effective outcomes.

The Senior Director collaborates with Puget Sound and System Population Health leadership and councils to implement and advance value‑based care initiatives that support behavioral health integration and whole‑person care. This leader develops data‑driven strategic and operational plans for an integrated behavioral health model designed to lower total cost of care through coordinated, connected care experiences.

The role holds service‑area accountability for a comprehensive continuum of behavioral health services, including behavioral health urgent care, emergency department behavioral health services, substance use treatment and recovery services, inpatient behavioral health units, behavioral health integration models, consult teams, the Providence Intervention Center for Sexual Assault and Abuse, transitions of care, community partnerships, and legislative advocacy as appropriate.

What You'll Do:

Strategic Planning \& Program Development

• Strategically develop programs that address the behavioral health needs of NWSA patients and communities.
• Lead service‑line business planning in partnership with Business Development leadership.
• Develop tactics aligned to identified needs and oversee effective implementation.
• Track progress and outcomes of strategies, initiatives, and improvements in patient health.
• Serve as the content expert and operational leader for behavioral health planning and program development.

Integrated Care \& Resource Optimization

• Monitor data to ensure processes are in place to reduce unnecessary readmissions and improve care transitions.
• Ensure behavioral health processes and procedures are fully integrated across care settings.
• Use data to guide decision‑making related to resource utilization and service optimization.
• Identify and implement best practices related to behavioral health, chemical dependency, length‑of‑stay management, and post‑acute services.

Financial Stewardship \& Performance

• Ensure service‑line productivity and expenses meet or exceed budget targets, with appropriate variance documentation.
• Utilize financial data to improve systems, structures, and long‑term sustainability.
• Maintain strong understanding of behavioral health billing, contracting, compliance, and revenue flow
.

Technology Enablement

• Collaborate with IT to ensure behavioral health workflows are integrated into electronic documentation and clinical systems.
• Facilitate development, distribution, and use of reports that support clinical, operational, and financial decision‑making.

Patient, Provider \& Employee Experience

• Identify improvement opportunities and lead action plans to enhance patient, family, and caregiver experiences.
• Develop inpatient and outpatient programs that improve patient satisfaction and outcomes.
• Monitor and enhance processes to ensure provider satisfaction.
• Identify and mitigate patient and employee safety risks.
• Implement strategies that improve employee engagement and satisfaction.

Human Resources \& Team Leadership

• Manage and oversee human‑resource functions across the service line, including:
• Performance evaluations
• Progressive discipline and documentation
• Hiring and onboarding using approved processes
• Compliance with employment laws and policies
• Competency‑based training and service‑line meetings
• Timecard and payroll oversight
• Lead and coach teams through change with clear communication, accountability, and support.

Compliance, Confidentiality \& Governance

• Ensure confidentiality of all patient and organizational information.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including Joint Commission standards.
• Collaborate with regional leadership to ensure consistent application of standards of care, employee performance expectations, and financial management processes.
• Participate in and support system‑wide and regional initiatives, committees, and councils.

What You'll Bring:

Education \& Licensure

• Master’s Degree in Nursing or Master of Social Work (MSW).

Coursework and/or certification in Behavioral Health or Chemical Dependency (preferred)

• .

Washington Registered Nurse License or Washington Clinical Independent Social Worker License (required upon hire; vendor managed)

• .

Leadership \& Experience

• 7\+ years of healthcare administration or services leadership experience.
• Progressive experience managing people.
• Experience in:
• Program development
• Acute and ambulatory care
• Case management
• Data analysis and data systems development
• Financial management and budgeting
• Staffing and scheduling
• Process improvement methodologies

Professional \& Leadership Capabilities

• Strong knowledge of care and case management processes, benefits coordination, and utilization optimization.
• Knowledge of Joint Commission standards and applicable regulations.
• Ability to develop policies and procedures that enhance utilization and documentation management.
• Proven ability to manage diverse professional and technical teams.
• Strong change‑management capability and resilience.
• Excellent communication skills with staff, physicians, peers, patients, and families.
• Ability to recognize, de‑escalate, and resolve difficult situations.
• Strong organizational, time‑management, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to apply continuous improvement principles to daily operations and systems.

Why Join Us?

* Lead behavioral health at scale: Shape the future of integrated behavioral health services across a service area.

* Advance value‑based care: Drive outcomes that improve quality, access, and affordability.

* Influence community well‑being: Address social determinants of health through coordinated care models.

* Develop high‑impact teams: Lead, coach, and grow behavioral health professionals.

* Serve a mission that matters: Advance compassionate, whole‑person care across Providence Swedish.

Ready to Shape the Future of Healthcare?

If you are a mission‑driven behavioral health leader ready to advance integrated care, improve outcomes, and lead transformational change, we encourage you to explore this opportunity.

The full pay range is listed in accordance with applicable law. Final compensation will be determined based on qualifications, experience, organizational compensation alignment, and the approved hiring department budget for the position. This position may also be eligible for incentive compensation and benefits.

At Providence we believe in the importance of human connection and the impact of in\-person collaboration towards team cohesion and caregiver engagement. Further, we want our leaders to live in or near the communities we serve. Therefore, leaders applying for this role will be required to work a hybrid schedule, which consists of three days onsite, two days remote and live within a reasonable commuting distance to the ministry or service area they support and lead.

About Providence

At Providence, our strength lies in Our Promise of “Know me, care for me, ease my way.” Working at our family of organizations means that regardless of your role, we’ll walk alongside you in your career, supporting you so you can support others. We provide best\-in\-class benefits and we foster an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued, and everyone is essential, heard and respected. Together, our 120,000 caregivers (all employees) serve in over 50 hospitals, over 1,000 clinics and a full range of health and social services across Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington. As a comprehensive health care organization, we are serving more people, advancing best practices and continuing our more than 100\-year tradition of serving the poor and vulnerable.

Posted are the minimum and the maximum wage rates on the wage range for this position. The successful candidate's placement on the wage range for this position will be determined based upon relevant job experience and other applicable factors. These amounts are the base pay range; additional compensation may be available for this role, such as shift differentials, standby/on\-call, overtime, premiums, extra shift incentives, or bonus opportunities.

Providence offers a comprehensive benefits package including a retirement 401(k) Savings Plan with employer matching, health care benefits (medical, dental, vision), life insurance, disability insurance, time off benefits (paid parental leave, vacations, holidays, health issues), voluntary benefits, well\-being resources and much more. Learn more at providence.jobs/benefits.

Applicants in the Unincorporated County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Unincorporated Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Requsition ID: 426704

Company: Providence Jobs

Job Category: Behavioral Health

Job Function: Clinical Care

Job Schedule: Full time

Job Shift: Day

Career Track: Leadership

Department: 3002 NURSING ADMIN WA PRMCE

Address: WA Everett 1321 Colby Ave

Work Location: Everett Medical Ctr Colby\-Everett

Workplace Type: On\-site

Pay Range: $79\.52 \- $127\.13

The amounts listed are the base pay range; additional compensation may be available for this role, such as shift differentials, standby/on\-call, overtime, premiums, extra shift incentives, or bonus opportunities.