State of Connecticut Executive Branch

This class may be used in one of the following ways:

• Facility or Local Mental Health Authority: Incumbents in this class act as the director for clinical operations with multiple clinical programs that may include Community Services, Outpatient Services, Inpatient Services, Community Treatment programs and Mobile Crisis.
• Central Office: Incumbents in this class are responsible for overseeing statewide clinical support services and programs which includes specialized mental health and addiction areas such as Young Adult Services, Addiction Services, Forensic Services, Health Care Systems Division and Psychiatric Services.

This class may not be used as a director of a program that does not have a significant clinical component involving direct behavioral health services to clients.

• Directs staff and operations of multiple functions for a division;
• Coordinates, plans and manages program activities;
• Formulates program goals and objectives;
• Develops or assists in development and implementation of related policy;
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Evaluates staff;
• Prepares or assists in preparation of division budget;
• Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact on program activities;
• Ensures agency compliance with standards established by outside monitoring agencies;
• Directs recruitment, selection and retention of department or discipline staff;
• Ensures compliance with quality assurance findings and recommendations;
• Promotes cultural diversity in workplace and ensures client rights;
• Identifies, plans, implements and evaluates staff training and development needs;
• Analyzes complex problems and takes appropriate action;
• Initiates workforce planning and monitors staff utilization to meet identified goals;
• Investigates and responds to critical incidents;
• Prepares or oversees preparation of reports;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May represent facility in grievances and hearings;
• May oversee grant, budget or contract preparation;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • behavioral health policies and systems;
  • principles and practices of public and/or health care administration;
  • recent developments in designated field and ability to translate knowledge into practice;
  • recovery principles and practices;
  • resources available to client population;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
  • clinical skills;
  • analytical skills;
• Considerable ability to
  • develop strategic plans;
  • negotiate, mediate and resolve conflicts;
  • manage staff in a clinical in-patient and outpatient setting;
  • collaborate within department, agency and community.

A Master's degree in a clinical discipline, public health administration, health care administration or hospital administration and six (6) years of professional experience in behavioral health care.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial or supervisory capacity directing clinical operations or the delivery of behavioral health care services including the supervision of professional behavioral health care staff.  

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor or Behavioral Health Program Manager.

Incumbents in this class must maintain the appropriate current license for clinical social work, marital and family therapist, professional counselor, registered nurse, psychologist or alcohol and drug counselor.