The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) is a community-based not-for-profit committed to recovery-focused mental health services through advocacy, community education and direct services. We are recognized as the leader in Westchester in providing person-centered services that involve collaborating with each individual to achieve his or her goals.
MHA facilitates recovery by providing services that reflect our deeply held values that include the recognition of individual rights of self-determination, choice, shared decision-making and collaborative work. Our highly trained staff utilize evidence-based practices throughout our comprehensive array of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented services.
Through our robust services, as well as our advocacy programs and community events, MHA is able to meet the needs of thousands of men, women, children and families each year, helping them live independent lives in the community.
Join our Team! We are immediately hiring a Medical Director for our Article 32 substance use treatment program in Westchester County, NY.
SUMMARY of DUTIES
The Medical Director will be a member of the leadership team at the agency. They will have primary responsibility for the oversight and supervision of medical and clinical staff that work as part of a multidisciplinary team in the Article 32 outpatient substance use treatment program, licensed by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), which is part of MHA’s Comprehensive Care Center. The Medical Director will provide and supervise those who provide direct client care, including assessment, medication assisted treatment (MAT) and psychiatric treatment. Experience in Substance Use Disorders (SUD) services is required. The Medical Director will support recovery by providing and promoting services that reflect our deeply held values that include the recognition of individual rights of self-determination, choice, shared decision-making and collaboration. They will utilize and promote evidence-based practices, always embracing a recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and person-centered approach.
SPECIFIC DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Supervise non-medical staff in the provision of substance use disorder services in collaboration with the Clinical Director.
2. Participate in the qualified health practitioner (QHP) team that makes decisions regarding admissions to the program.
3. Function as part of the treatment team, providing a leadership role and deferring when appropriate to the other experts on the team.
4. Oversee that all treatment is within best practices and meets established clinical standards.
5. Provide leadership in establishing treatment and standards of care within the agency.
6. Provide consultation to staff regarding medical issues and medications.
7. Prescribe and/or approve any medications that are given to clients within the facility. The approval/prescription is done within best practices and is individualized for each client. The process may be done through other prescribers such as other physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, but the Medical Director ensures that standards and philosophy are consistent and appropriate.
8. If needed, administer medication- intramuscular injections (IM) according to Rx order(s) as documented in EHR.
9. Consult with other specialists and refer as appropriate.
10. Ensure that admission work, laboratory work, ongoing care is timely and appropriate.
11. Provide and/or supervise all medical care that client receives.
12. Participate in the hiring process of medical staff and evaluate the clinical expertise of hires
13. Develop plans to ensure that standards of clinical expertise are upheld.
14. Supervise medical staff in the performance of medical services.
15. Assist in developing plans for ongoing professional development.
16. Oversee that all discharges are within minimum standards of safety, even if they are not recommended, such as Administrative discharges.
17. Oversee the development and revision of medical policies, procedures and ongoing training, in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory authorities
18. Provide public health education, including prevention and harm reduction.
19. Provide support, education, and counseling to family members/significant others of clients to involve them in the treatment/recovery process.
20. Document client progress to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
21. Participate in team meetings and treatment plan review meetings/case conferences.
22. Other related duties.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS
1. Knowledgeable about Federal, State and Local law and regulation governing substance abuse treatment programs.
2. Experience understanding family systems based on diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
3. Experience understanding various evidence-based models and theories pertaining to substance use and co-occurring disorders, psycho-education, motivational interviewing and recovery.
4. Extensive knowledge of community resources to support individuals and families in recovery.
5. Use of motivational interviewing, recovery and trauma-informed approaches when delivering services.
6. Ability to handle conflicts and provide constructive resolution.
7. Highly organized and self-motivated.
8. Proficient in computer systems.
9. Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record system.
QUALIFICATIONS
1. The Medical Director shall be a physician licensed and currently registered as such by the New York State Education Department and shall have at least one year of education, training, and/or experience in substance use disorder services.
2. Medical Director must have board certification in addiction medicine from a certifying entity appropriate to their primary or specialty board certification.
3. May be considered for the role as a probationary medical director if not so certified but must obtain certification within four (4) years of being hired.
4. Medical Director must meet the following characteristics:
• Waiver to prescribe buprenorphine (or obtain waiver to do so within 4-months of hire) and or one or more of the following:
o Certification by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM);
o Boarded by the American Board of Addiction Medicine; and/or
o Board certification in Psychiatry with added qualification of certification in Addiction Psychiatry.
5. Holds a Federal DATA 2000 Waiver to prescribe buprenorphine.
6. Must maintain an active license in good standing to practice in New York State.
7. Must maintain an active unrestricted federal and state DEA registration.
8. Must comply with the standards and requirements of all applicable federal, state, local and other laws, rules and regulations governing medical services.
9. Must comply with all professional standards and all applicable agency policies and procedures, including the agency’s compliance program and code of conduct.
10. Current Controlled Substance Registration issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
11. Demonstrates knowledge and support of agency’s safety and ethical policies, practices and reports unsafe environments/practices to supervisor in a timely manner.
12. Demonstrates understanding of 42CFR, HIPAA Privacy Standards and related agency policies.
13. Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
14. Must be and maintain clearance through the NYS Justice Center through fingerprinting for a Criminal History Records search.
15. Must be and maintain clearance by the DCJS New York State Sex Offender Registry.
16. Pre-employment drug screen is required as a condition of employment.
17. Must be and maintain clearance by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs Staff Exclusion List (SEL) and the New York State Medicaid Exclusion List.
18. Must be and maintain clearance by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) for instances of child abuse and/or neglect.
19. Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.
MHA of Westchester is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to cultural competency, diversity, and inclusion and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by the applicable law.
To apply, please send your cover letter and résumé by e-mail to employment@mhawestchester.org with "OASAS-Medical Director" as the subject line of the e-mail. Thank you.