Director - Pediatric Behavioral Health - Children's Behavioral Health Center

Position Title:

Department:

Job Description:

Positions supporting Oklahoma Children's OU Health Behavioral Health Center require successful completion of a fingerprint-based background check in addition to standard pre-employment requirements. Any required background check and/or fingerprint-based screening will be conducted in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

The Director, Pediatric Behavioral Health serves as the senior clinical leader for psychology and therapy services across the Behavioral Health Center. The position combines direct patient care, clinical supervision, program development, quality oversight, workforce leadership, and strategic planning responsibilities. The Director maintains an active clinical caseload while overseeing psychologists, Licensed Behavioral Health Professionals (LBHPs), trainees, and therapeutic programming across inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient settings.

Essential Responsibilities:

Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position. Inability to perform these responsibilities, with or without an accommodation, may result in disqualification from the position.

Leadership and Supervision Responsibilities

• Directly supervise psychologists, LBHPs, trainees, and other behavioral health clinicians.
• Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, mentorship, and career development planning.
• Monitor productivity standards, documentation compliance, billing performance, and clinical outcomes.
• Ensure appropriate staffing models and workload distribution across services.
• Lead recruitment efforts, interviews, candidate selection, and retention strategies.
• Develop clinical competencies and evidence-based practice expectations for therapy staff.
• Address employee relations and performance management concerns in collaboration with Human Resources.

Program Development and Quality Leadership

• Lead behavioral health therapy program development across inpatient, PHP, and IOP services.
• Develop and implement standardized care pathways and evidence-based treatment protocols.
• Monitor quality, safety, patient experience, and outcome measures.
• Design and oversee quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, State of Oklahoma, and organizational standards.
• Evaluate emerging practices and implement innovative models of care.

Academic and Training Responsibilities

• A key enhancement from the Psychologist III role would be explicit responsibility for training and workforce development:
• Provide supervision to psychology practicum students, interns, fellows, and postdoctoral residents.
• Lead psychology training programs and academic affiliations.
• Serve as faculty or maintain eligibility for faculty appointment through the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
• Participate in educational activities for physicians, nurses, therapists, and trainees.
• Promote scholarly activity, program evaluation, clinical research, and publication efforts.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development.

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Participate in budget planning, workforce forecasting, and business planning.
• Utilize operational, financial, and clinical metrics to drive decision making.
• Develop annual goals and strategic initiatives for psychology and therapy services.
• Collaborate with psychiatry, nursing, operations, and medical leadership to advance Behavioral Health Center objectives.
• Represent psychology and therapy services on committees, leadership councils, and external partnerships.
• Support expansion of behavioral health services across the continuum of care.

General Responsibilities:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in Psychology.

Experience: At least five years of progressive leadership and postdoctoral clinical experience, including demonstrated experience in pediatric or adolescent behavioral health.

License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required: Licensed Psychologist in Oklahoma.

Completion of APA-accredited internship and specialized postdoctoral residency/fellowship training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of pediatric and adolescent behavioral health assessment and treatment.
• Knowledge of evidence-based psychological and therapeutic practices across inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient settings.
• Knowledge of clinical supervision, workforce development, and professional training standards.
• Knowledge of academic medical center operations, healthcare administration, service-line structures, institutional governance, and decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated business and administrative acumen, including budgeting, performance improvement, data-driven decision-making, report writing, and operational problem-solving.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop individuals and cross-functional teams while managing complex projects.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the diplomacy and professionalism needed to collaborate with clinical, administrative, and financial stakeholders.
• Knowledge of contemporary healthcare administration principles and practices within managed care and academic medical center environments.
• Knowledge of supervisory and personnel management principles, including performance management and workforce administration.
• Ability to lead organizational change with sensitivity, adaptability, and a forward-thinking approach.
• Strong strategic planning and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to establish goals, set priorities, evaluate options, and resolve complex issues with minimal direction.
• Ability to work effectively in a participatory management environment with clinical leaders, administrators, and multiple levels of management.
• Ability to build collaborative partnerships, manage conflict, and guide stakeholders toward resolution.
• Flexibility and openness to new perspectives, approaches, and ideas.

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OU Health is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more. We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family.