JOB TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AREA MANAGER, DHS

JOB CODE: 43580

DEFINITION: This is professional managerial work directing the monitoring of and consultation to mental health programs and services for the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), Department of Human Services (DHS).

An employee in this job monitors the delivery of community mental health services within an assigned geographic area of the commonwealth. Work involves providing consultation to local government officials concerning the development, direction, and administrative integration of community mental health services with established program policies and service standards; identifying needs for community mental health services and developing plans to meet those needs; and evaluating overall program achievements within the assigned area. Work includes the responsibility for directing, through subordinate professional staff, the development and implementation of all mandated community mental health programs within a prescribed area. Work also involves negotiating funding for programs and services; initiating corrective action plans, including imposing fiscal and administrative sanctions, to ensure program compliance; communicating and interpreting laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; planning, conducting, and implementing results of program achievement reviews; and licensing and monitoring of non-residential community mental health programs. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and evaluation of results achieved.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Provides consultation to local county mental health representatives concerning resource allocation, program evaluation, budgeting, and staffing.

• Directs the development of programmatic and fiscal plans for community mental health services.

• Oversees the implementation of departmental policies and mandated mental health programs and services designed to meet community mental health needs.

• Directs comprehensive reviews and audits of the administrative and human services functions of county and community mental health providers.

• Evaluates the quality assurance and licensing functions of non-residential community mental health programs to ensure consistency and timeliness of inspections.

• Evaluates pre-admission, pre-discharge, and aftercare planning between state operated hospitals and community mental health program services to ensure continuity of care and prevent duplicate services.

• Provides consultation on program development and coordination between public and private mental health resources to meet community mental health needs.

• Provides technical assistance to local government officials, representatives of public and private advocacy groups, departmental program administrators, and other

interested groups on administration of community mental health services and programs.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations governing the administration of mental health services.

• Knowledge of the functions and resources of mental health organizations and programs.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of program planning, development, and evaluation.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Ability to analyze and interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.

• Ability to analyze and interpret program and fiscal data.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Five years of professional experience planning or evaluating mental health program services, including three years of professional supervisory experience, and a bachelor’s degree;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training, which includes three years of professional supervisory experience planning or evaluating mental health program services.