Behavioral Healthcare Project Manager *CONTRACT POSITION*

*CONTRACT POSITION*

Summary:  

Southeastern Integrated Care (SEIC) is seeking an experienced Behavioral Healthcare Project Manager to oversee the successful implementation of multiple behavioral health initiatives across North Carolina and manages the lift and startup of projects simultaneously until hand off to operations. This role will manage the development and operationalization of a Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) center, a Mobile Crisis Management (MCM) team, a Rural Behavioral Health Center (RBHC), a substance use disorder residential facility, and the merger of an enhanced outpatient delivery system. The Project Manager will ensure alignment with Trillium Health Resources guidelines, Managed Care Organization (MCO) requirements, and North Carolina Clinical Coverage Policy 8A, while coordinating staffing, service delivery, and compliance with state and accreditation standards.  This position is critical to achieving SEIC’s mission of enhancing behavioral health access and outcomes across North Carolina, with a focus on timely, high-quality care delivery by years 1 and 2 go-live targets.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Project Planning and Execution:

• Develop comprehensive project plans, timelines, and milestones for the BHUC, MCM, RBHC, substance use disorder residential facility, and outpatient system merger, ensuring completion within Year 1 and Year 2 budgets and deadlines.
• Coordinate facility planning, staffing recruitment, training, and service delivery model development in accordance with NCDHHS and Trillium guidelines.
• Oversee the integration of technology solutions (e.g., BH SCAN, Learning Management Systems,   telehealth platforms) to support service accessibility and data reporting.

2. Team Management and Staffing:

• Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and training of multidisciplinary teams, including Project Managers, Regional Executive Directors, Psychiatrists, Licensed Clinicians, Peer Support Specialists, RN Educators, and administrative staff.
• Ensure staffing aligns with the size, composition, and service needs of the member population, including 24/7 crisis response capabilities.
• Develop and implement competency assessment policies and training plans that meet state behavioral health authority and accreditation requirements.

3. Service Delivery Startup:

• Ensure the development and stand up of the BHUC . Provides 24/7 walk-in access for crisis intervention, including nursing assessments, psychiatric services, and care coordination, with a target intake-to-discharge time of 2–24 hours until hand off to Clinical operations team for a seamless transition of ongoing services. 
• Ensure the development and stand up of the MCM team’s 24/7 crisis response across Hoke, Lee, Moore, Robeson, and Scotland counties, including on-site assessments, de-escalation, and follow-up care until handed off to Clinical operations team for a seamless transition of ongoing services.
• Ensure the development and stand up of RBHC operations, including peer warm lines, telehealth services, and crisis management protocols compliant with NC requirements until handed off to Clinical operations team for a seamless transition of ongoing services. 
• Ensure the development and stand up of substance use disorder residential facility and enhanced outpatient delivery system merger, ensuring continuity of care and compliance with Clinical Coverage Policy 8A until handed off to Clinical operations team for a seamless transition of ongoing services. 

4. Budget and Resource Management:

• Manage project budgets, including multi-million-dollar budgets for Year 1 and Year 2 allocations for BH clinics and new BH services, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation (e.g., salaries, vehicles, supplies).

• Track expenses for salaries/benefits, rent/utilities, staff development, and administrative overhead, maintaining financial sustainability.

5. Partnerships and Compliance:

• Establish and maintain Memoranda
• of Understanding (MOUs) with local hospitals (e.g., UNC Southeastern), law enforcement, community organizations, and LME/MCOs to support care coordination and crisis diversion.
• Ensure compliance with NCDHHS Division of Health Service Regulation standards, Medicaid reimbursement policies (e.g., revenue code T2016), and CCBHC requirements (if applicable).
• Develop risk management strategies and crisis intervention protocols to address potential challenges.

6. Monitoring and Reporting:

• Implement data-driven continuous quality improvement (CQI) plans, tracking metrics such as patient volume, response times, referral success, and reductions in ED visits or hospitalizations.
• Prepare and submit quarterly reports to Trillium and NCDHHS, utilizing data from SEIC EMR systems and claims data.
• Evaluate project outcomes, including increased access to care, improved care quality, system efficiency, and community impact, adjusting strategies as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Project Management, Public Health, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience in behavioral healthcare, with at least 3 years overseeing multi-site or multi-service initiatives.
• Proven experience with Trillium Health Resources, MCO guidelines, and North Carolina Clinical Coverage Policy 8A.

Skills and Competencies:

• Expertise in project management software (e.g., MS Project or similar) to track milestones, budgets, and timelines.
• Strong knowledge of behavioral health service delivery, including crisis intervention, telehealth, peer support, and substance use disorder treatment.
• Excellent leadership and team-building skills to manage diverse, multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, and training plans in compliance with state and accreditation standards.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting, with experience using electronic medical records (EMR) and quality improvement frameworks.

Certifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification preferred.
• Training in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, or mental health first aid is a plus.

Working Conditions:

• This role requires travel across North Carolina, including rural areas (e.g., Robeson County, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Scotland counties), to oversee facility development and team operations.
• Occasional after-hours work to meet project deadlines.
• Hybrid work environment with a combination of on-site and remote responsibilities.

PHYSICIAL/MENTAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, sit, and use hands. The employee is occasionally required to lift/move heavy objects not to exceed 40 lbs. using proper body positioning and procedure when doing so. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust and focus.

Mental demands include the ability to learn and adapt to changes, exercise discretion and good judgment, develop options and solutions to crisis and problems, gather and analyze facts, pay close attention to detail, courteous and professional, deal with stressful situations, and to adhere to company policies and procedures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Work is performed primarily in the residential environment and in the community and may involve exposure to cigarette smoke, domestic animals, and other issues related to the domestic location in which service is delivered. This position has a moderate noise level.