Medical Director - Behavioral Health Services

Department: Behavioral Health Services
Reports To: Director of Outpatient Behavioral Health Services

Position Summary

The Medical Director provides psychiatric leadership, direct clinical care, and medical oversight for Behavioral Health Services (BHS). This role delivers psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and clinical consultation while shaping policies, procedures, and quality standards across the outpatient behavioral health continuum.
The Medical Director collaborates closely with BHS leadership to expand and optimize in‑person and telehealth psychiatric services for clients with both private and public insurance. Client populations range from early childhood through adulthood and present with mild to severe behavioral health needs.

Education & Experience Requirements

• M.D. or D.O. with an active license to practice medicine in Michigan
• Board certification in child psychiatry with full prescribing authority
• Substance Abuse Certification preferred
• Minimum 5 years of experience treating both child and adult populations
• Knowledge of the Detroit/Wayne County Community Mental Health System
• Demonstrated experience in psychiatric leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration

Duties & Responsibilities

• Psychiatric Evaluations — Conduct psychiatric assessments, medication reviews, and complete all required documentation.
• Medication Management — Prescribe and monitor medications; order and interpret laboratory tests as clinically indicated.
• In‑Person & Telehealth Care — Provide services across modalities based on client needs and agency contracts.
• Behavior Treatment Committee Participation — Review and approve behavior treatment plans as needed.
• Clinical Oversight — Offer consultation and guidance to clinicians across disciplines.
• Agency‑Wide Coordination — Oversee the delivery and integration of psychiatric services across programs.
• Policy & Procedure Development — Assist in creating and refining protocols for psychiatric and medical service delivery.
• Quality Evaluation — Assess the quality, appropriateness, and compliance of psychiatric and medical services.
• Define Psychiatric Roles — Establish expectations and responsibilities for psychiatric care within the clinic.
• Staff Leadership —
• Conduct regular psychiatric/medical staff meetings
• Participate in compliance, root‑cause analysis, and BTC meetings
• Provide in‑service training for clinicians
• Recruit, select, and supervise psychiatric staff (including NPs and residents)
• Coordinate peer review and participate in performance evaluations
• Quality Improvement — Participate in QI initiatives and ensure adherence to regulatory standards.
• Compliance — Support compliance audits and corrective action planning.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Trauma‑informed leadership and clinical decision‑making
• Competence working within complex psychiatric service delivery systems
• Strong cultural sensitivity and ability to serve diverse populations
• Ability to maintain ethical, professional, and confidentiality standards
• Clinical expertise in treating children, adults, and individuals with co‑occurring substance use disorders
• Proficiency with telehealth platforms and electronic medical records
• Ability to manage clients with mild, moderate, and severe behavioral health needs

Licensing & Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation
• Commitment to ongoing professional development through continuing education, conferences, and clinical training

If you want, I can also prepare:

• a screening rubric
• a competency‑based interview scorecard
• a candidate submittal summary template

Which one do you want to build next?