BestSelf Behavioral Health (BestSelf) is an innovative organization formed through the merger of Child & Adolescent Treatment Services and Lake Shore Behavioral Health in June 2017. Both organizations served this community for a combined 120 years and are proven leaders in innovative delivery of behavioral health services in Western New York. Their shared reputation and stellar delivery of quality care in the community, led the Boards of Directors of both organizations to the creation of what is now the largest community-based behavioral health organization serving children and adults of all ages in Western New York.

No matter how old you are, where you live in Western New York or what challenges you're facing-BestSelf Behavioral Health can provide you and your family with the innovative and evidence-based services you need, along with a personal and caring approach that will help you feel respected, valued, confident and hopeful.

We are pleased to begin the selection process for a Medical Director at our newest program, the BestResponse Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center. This Center will be a 24/7/365 facility dedicated to providing immediate, compassionate care for individuals facing both mental health and/or substance use crises. Our center supports individuals across their lifespan with personalized treatment aimed at rapid stabilization and holistic recovery. Be part of a committed and dynamic team making a real difference in people's lives every day.

The Medical Director is responsible for overseeing medical services provided to consumers by BestSelf medical staff including psychiatrists, physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses. The Medical Director will be a resource to the Senior Management Team and will advise the team on all medical matters. The Medical Director will provide organizational leadership to the medical staff ensuring that all consumers are provided with a high quality of medical care. This position will offer clinical leadership to the organization and contribute to the development and review of policies and procedures related to medical care. The Medical Doctor will contribute the quality of care offered by BestSelf and, as needed, will offer education and information to the clinical staff.

FLSA Status: Hourly

Schedule: Part Time (30-34 hours per week)

Location: 430 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14201

Starting Rate: $130-140 per hour. Personalized salary reflecting your related experience and academic/credentialed background.

Required competencies

• Quality of Care: Always aiming for continuous improvement by enhancing the quality of care provided by the agency.

• Medical Service Oversight: Ensuring the best medical services are provided to all clients.

• Team Leadership: Effectively leading and managing medical staff, including psychiatrists, physicians, nurse practitioners, and nurses to maintain high standards of medical care.

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring agency compliance with medical regulations and standards.

• Effective Cross-Collaboration: Successfully communicating with both medical and non-medical staff as well as continuously connecting resources across the agency.

• Policy Development: Contributing to the development, implementation, and review of medical care policies and procedures.

Job duties

• Attend regular meetings to provide medical insight such as U/R III, special review meeting quarterly, nurses meeting quarterly, Program Director meeting, & SMT meeting.
• Provide psychiatric perspective in the development of policies and procedures that govern clinical care at BestSelf.
• Provide coverage for review and signing of treatment plans for prescribing clinicians.
• Be involved in new program development and evaluation as appropriate.
• Review inpatient and emergency room utilization through a specific protocol.
• Develop guidelines for clinicians to use in evaluating patients in need of ER evaluation.
• Assist in developing policies for prescribing clinicians regarding medical and psychiatric evaluation, laboratories, admission and discharge criteria.
• Oversight of the development and revision of policies, procedures, and ongoing training for matters, including but not limited to, routine medical care, specialized services, specialized medications, and medical and psychiatric emergency care, screening for, and reporting of communicable diseases and infection in accordance with law, and public health education including prevention and harm reduction.
• Develop and maintain prescriber performance expectations.
• Collaborative supervision with the program director of non-medical staff in the provision of mental health and substance use services.
• Conduct psychological autopsies as needed.
• Offer psychiatric consultation to primary care physicians who provide medical care to challenging BestSelf clients.
• Provide education and supervision to clinical staff as needed through lectures, e-mail, and small group discussions.
• Provide assistance with optimizing electronic medical record for prescribers.
• Assist in recruitment and hiring of prescribers (NP's and MD's).
• Assist in developing training opportunities at BestSelf for Nursing Graduate Programs and Medical School/Residency Programs.
• Assist in develop liaisons and working relationships with private and public payors.
• Assisting in the development of necessary referral and linkage relationships with other institutions and agencies including, but not limited to, general or specialty hospitals and nursing homes, health-related facilities, home health agencies, hospital outpatient departments, diagnostic and treatment facilities, laboratories, and related resources.
• In collaboration with the Program Director, ensures program compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Required knowledge, experience, and skills

• Board certified or eligible Psychiatrist with a minimum of five (5) years experience working in a New York State Office of Mental Health licensed program
• Skilled in the treatment of a broad range of psychiatric illnesses and addiction disorders with particular knowledge of the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with serious mental illnesses.
• Knowledge and skill in clinical and administrative supervision; ability to review clinical care and records for regulatory and policy compliance and for quality of care issues
• Ability to work effectively in groups, to team build and lead medical personnel toward achieving agency goals

Organization Overview

Vision Statement

Empowering everyone to be their BestSelf.

Mission Statement

To provide innovative, evidence-based, accessible, and family-focused behavioral health services to promote health, hope, recovery, and an enhanced quality of life.

Beliefs

- We believe strong, healthy families provide the foundation for emotional well-being.

- We believe every individual is unique and recovery is possible.

- We believe quality behavioral healthcare is accessible, person-centered and holistic.

- We believe inclusion of peers, families and significant others in services promotes successful outcomes.

- We believe in culturally competent and trauma-informed services.

- We believe engaged employees are essential.

- We believe in innovative, evidence-based interventions.

- We believe in collaboration and community partnerships.

- We believe in community education and advocacy to combat stigma.

BestSelf Behavioral Health, Inc. is the largest community-based behavioral health organization serving children and adults with mental health and substance use disorders in WNY. We provide easy access to a full continuum of person-centered, trauma-informed behavioral health treatment, rehabilitation and recovery services.

BestSelf offers a comprehensive array of services to promote self-sufficiency, wellness, and an enhanced quality of life for children, adolescents and adults. We deliver a full range of services to a diverse, multicultural consumer population by employing a cadre of fully bilingual, bicultural staff.

BestSelf utilizes more than 20 evidence-based therapies including; Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT); Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET); Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT); and Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (CBT).

Quick Facts

- Created in June 2017 when Child & Adolescent Treatment Services and Lake Shore Behavioral Health merged

- 2022 Annual Budget: $94 Million

- Clients Served (2021): 40,000+ children, adolescents & adults

- Employees: 1,200+

- 51st Largest Employer in Buffalo & WNY (2022 Business First List)

- Total Outpatient Clinics: 13

- Total Service Locations: 70+

What We Do

- Serving Children, Adolescents & Adults

- Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders Outpatient Clinics

- Medication Assisted Treatment (Suboxone, Vivitrol, Methadone)

- ClubWest, ClubSouth, Safe Space & Afterhours Supportive Care

- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

- Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS)

- Community & Mobile Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Services

- Building Brighter Futures - school-based programs providing academic assistance, social-emotional supports, high-quality enrichment opportunities, and family engagement to encourage positive development.

- Homeless Outreach and Supportive Housing Services

- Health Home Services for Medicaid Recipients - Children & Adults

- Integrated Primary Care Clinic

- Vocational Services and Supported Employment

- Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Pregnant & Parenting Women where children up to age 11 can reside with their mother during treatment; Residential Substance Use Disorder treatment for Children and Adolescents.

- Recovery Community provides free support to people with addictions, people in recovery, and their families.

- Child Advocacy Center at BestSelf is an innovative, comprehensive center offering safety, support and a healing place for children and families affected by trauma and abuse.

• 24/7 Emergency Crisis Center (In Development Phase)