Behavioral Health Program Director

University of Colorado; Aurora (CO); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Colorado Anschutz in Aurora, CO seeks a Behavioral Health Program Director for Sheridan Health Services. The role is full‑time, clinic‑based with a 0.50 FTE administrative focus, located at Sheridan Health Services in southwest Denver.

The position advances integrated care, leadership, and program management within a federally qualified health center. The role requires a strong background in behavioral health, supervision, and collaboration with diverse teams, with hybrid work and

Qualifications

• Doctorate or Master’s in Social Work, Counseling, MFT, or Psychology from an accredited program.
• Current licensure as LCSW/LPC/LMFT/LP in good standing; CO licensure by hire date.
• Four years post-graduate direct patient care experience; one year as a clinical supervisor.
• Demonstrated leadership and collaboration with academics and students.

Responsibilities

• Provide brief behavioral health therapy and screenings in an integrated medical setting.
• Deliver outpatient behavioral health services including individual therapy, crisis intervention, care coordination, skill-building, and psychoeducation.
• Complete documentation accurately and timely, complying with clinic policies and standards.

Skills

LCSW/LPC/LMFT/LP licensure in good sta

CO licensure by date of hire

4 years post-grad direct patient care

1 year clinical supervisor experience

Demonstrated leadership in practice

Education

Master’s degree or Doctorate in Psychology

Job description

Applicants Must Meet Minimum Qualifications By Time Of Hire.

• Doctorate degree from an accredited institution in one of the following disciplines:
  • Social work
  • Counseling
  • Marriage and family therapy
  • Psychology (PhD or PsyD)
• Current licensure as a clinical social worker (LCSW), professional counselor (LPC), marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or psychologist (LP), in good standing
• Must have CO licensures by date of hire. Could be working toward CO clinical licenses during application process and registered with DORA-Department of Regulatory Agencies.
• Four (4) years’ post-graduate experience providing direct patient care services
• One (1) year experience as a clinical supervisor
• Demonstrated leadership in area of practice
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with academic colleagues and students in practice activities

Conditions of employment:

• Obtain Colorado licenses by date of hire.
• Obtain valid NPI number by date of hire
• Obtain valid Colorado Medicaid Provider number within 30 days of hire date
• Complete CAQH by date of hire
• Remain credentialed by all necessary parties and ensure credentialing materials stay current.
• Obtain and maintain current BLS/CPR certification by date of hire.
• Willing and able to work in a normal patient care environment with some exposure to biological hazards and infectious diseases.
• Willing and able to work until 6pm on designated weeknights in rotation with other providers for Extended Hours.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a primary care or school-based health center setting using a brief model of service delivery
• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) at a conversation level in a clinical setting
• Credentialed as a certified addiction specialist (CAS) or licensed addiction counselor (LAC)
• Experience as a preceptor/clinical supervisor of students and/or behavioral health trainees and interns
• Experience successfully navigating program compliance and audits, as well as evidence of billing and reporting experience.

Competencies:

• Leadership & Program Management
  • Ability to establish program goals and objectives, evaluate progress, and manage multiple clinical program sites efficiently.
  • Skill in providing both administrative and clinical supervision to behavioral health staff and trainees.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead teams, foster collaboration, and build a cohesive, high‑functioning work environment.
• Clinical Expertise
  • Expertise in clinical assessment and therapeutic interventions with individuals and groups; experience with family or couples therapy preferred.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of primary care–behavioral health integration, including co‑located and fully integrated service models and population‑based interventions.
  • Medical literacy, including familiarity with common medical terminology, first‑line psychiatric medications, and interdisciplinary treatment team dynamics.
• Cultural Responsiveness
  • Knowledge of the cultural, social, and economic factors impacting the diverse populations served, and ability to apply culturally responsive practices.
  • Demonstrated commitment to cultural responsiveness in clinical practice and leadership.
• Compliance, Quality, & Regulatory Knowledge
  • Knowledge of regulatory requirements for clinical program oversight, billing, reporting, and compliance with state, federal, and payer standards.
  • Ability to lead quality improvement activities and support staff in meeting quality and documentation standards.
  • Skill in collecting, interpreting, and using data for reporting and program improvement.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to present information effectively, provide consultation, and navigate conflict resolution.
  • Proven ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with patients, families, staff, faculty, and community partners.
• Technical & Documentation Skills
  • Ability to document accurately and efficiently in an Electronic Health Record and use clinic software systems.
  • Ability to provide services on virtual platforms and deliver telehealth care when required.
• Productivity & Organizational Skills
  • Ability to set, maintain, and achieve productivity expectations for self and team.
  • Strong initiative, independent work skills, and ability to address issues proactively to support desired outcomes.

University of Colorado Anschutz

Behavioral Health Program Director

Instructor / Senior Instructor / Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice (Open Rank)

College of Nursing

Position Location: Sheridan Health Services (Southwest Denver)

3525 W. Oxford Avenue | Unit G1 Denver, CO 80236

Position #: 00611421 – Requisition #: 40701

Job Summary

The CU College of Nursing has an opening for a full-time (1.0 FTE) position as a Behavioral Health Program Director within its federally qualified health center (FQHC), Sheridan Health Services (SHS), located in southwest Denver, CO (zip code: 80236). This position is clinic based and includes dedicated 0.50 FTE effort for administrative duties. It is in the Clinical Practice Faculty Series and faculty rank is based on experience and qualifications.

Health care provider positions at SHS, such as this one, qualify for federal and state loan repayment (more info at: https://tinyurl.com/pts4k4z2).

The Behavioral Health Program Director is part of the SHS senior leadership team and will uphold the SHS mission by assuring the delivery of high-quality integrated care services and the fiscal soundness of the organization by meeting productivity standards. This position serves in an advisory capacity making recommendations about primary care and behavioral health integration to improve service delivery and achieve improved health outcomes. The position is responsible for the administrative and clinical management of psychiatric and behavioral health (BH) services.

Clinic Description

Sheridan Health Services is a multi-site, nurse-managed FQHC, funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Primary Healthcare. The clinic serves community health needs primarily for residents of Arapahoe, Denver, and Jefferson counties, and is located in southwest Denver on the Fort Logan campus. It provides services to adults and children, 65% of whom identify as Latinx, and 42% of whom are best served in another language, with Spanish being the predominant second language. Services offered include primary care across the lifespan; prenatal and postpartum, women’s health, dentistry, pharmacy, behavioral health, and outpatient substance use treatment. SHS is a Patient-Centered Medical Home and upholds a model of care that places the patient at the center, incorporating the values and beliefs of the individual in all decision-making.

https://nursing.cuanschutz.edu/patient-care/sheridan-health-services

Program Management

Core responsibilities of the Behavioral Health Program Director include programmatic oversight for creation, implementation and management of clinical programs within BH service line, oversite of fiscal expenditures, and supervision of BH providers and BH Patient Navigator. This position will ensure behavioral health programs operate within budgeted revenues and achieve productivity goals. This position shall be vigilant of potential new revenue streams and respond to these as appropriate (e.g., grants, contracts, managed care contracts, governmental relations, etc.).

Clinical Care

The Behavioral Health Program Director will provide a portion of total effort .5 FTE in direct care to patients from diverse backgrounds.

• Provide brief behavioral health therapy and screenings in an integrated medical setting for patients across the lifespan (ages 0–99).
• Deliver outpatient behavioral health services, including individual therapy, crisis intervention, care coordination, skill building, and psychoeducation.
• Complete all documentation accurately, within established timelines, and in full compliance with clinic policies and professional standards, including timely completion of notes, referrals, follow‑up tasks, and any required paper records.

Compliance

Responsible for audit and compliance activities to ensure that behavioral health services and standards follow all state, federal, and CU regulations, in addition to contractual requirements associated with payers and funders, in collaboration with leadership team.

Community Engagement

Participate in community outreach for the purpose of increasing access to care, reducing barriers to treatment, and advancing the mission and vision of SHS. It will also be responsible for establishing and maintaining community partnerships.

This description is a summary only and describes the general level of work being performed; it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business need. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.

Work Location

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us

CU Nursing is an amazing place to be. We have the distinct advantage of being a part of a huge medical campus with three incredible hospitals – the VA, the nationally ranked University of Colorado Hospital, and the Children’s Hospital Colorado where our nursing students and faculty learn every day. From our beginning 125 years ago as part of the School of Medicine at CU Boulder to our current home at the Anschutz Medical Campus, the college has been a recognized leader in nursing education (ranked #10 in online MS graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report 2023). Our faculty, students and staff have been instrumental in shaping the profession of nursing and teaching the next generation of nurses while treating patients in our own nurse-led clinics. Be a part of an innovative, dynamic, diverse, and exciting workplace -- helping make great things happen. Join us in our quest to boldly transform health together.

Why work for the University

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package, including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 15/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced-rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Allowances

(none)

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in one of the following disciplines:
  • Social work
  • Counseling
  • Marriage and family therapy
  • OR Doctorate degree in Psychology (PhD or PsyD)
• Current licensure as a clinical social worker (LCSW), professional counselor (LPC), marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or psychologist (LP), in good standing
• Must have CO licensures by date of hire. Could be working toward CO clinical licenses during application process and registered with DORA-Department of Regulatory Agencies.
• Four (4) years’ post‑graduate experience providing direct patient care services
• One (1) year experience as a clinical supervisor

Senior Instructor

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in one of the following disciplines:
  • Social work
  • Counseling
  • Marriage and family therapy
  • OR Doctorate degree in Psychology (PhD or PsyD)
• Current licensure as a clinical social worker (LCSW), professional counselor (LPC), marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or psychologist (LP), in good standing
• Must have CO licensures by date of hire. Could be working toward CO clinical licenses during application process and registered with DORA-Department of Regulatory Agencies.
• Four (4) years’ post‑graduate experience providing direct patient care services
• One (1) year experience as a clinical supervisor
• Demonstrated leadership in area of practice
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with academic colleagues and students in practice activities

Assistant Professor

• Doctorate degree from an accredited institution in one of the following disciplines:
  • Social work
  • Counseling
  • Marriage and family therapy
  • Psychology (PhD or PsyD)
• Current licensure as a clinical social worker (LCSW), professional counselor (LPC), marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or psychologist (LP), in good standing
• Must have CO licensures by date of hire. Could be working toward CO clinical licenses during application process and registered with DORA-Department of Regulatory Agencies.
• Four (4) years’ post‑graduate experience providing direct patient care services
• One (1) year experience as a clinical supervisor
• Demonstrated leadership in area of practice
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with academic colleagues and students in practice activities

Conditions of employment

• Obtain Colorado licenses by date of hire.
• Obtain valid NPI number by date of hire
• Obtain valid Colorado Medicaid Provider number within 30 days of hire date
• Complete CAQH by date of hire
• Remain credentialed by all necessary parties and ensure credentialing materials stay current.
• Obtain and maintain current BLS/CPR certification by date of hire.
• Willing and able to work in a normal patient care environment with some exposure to biological hazards and infectious diseases.
• Willing and able to work until 6pm on designated weeknights in rotation with other providers for Extended Hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a primary care or school-based health center setting using a brief model of service delivery
• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) at a conversation level in a clinical setting
• Credentialed as a certified addiction specialist (CAS) or licensed addiction counselor (LAC)
• Experience as a preceptor/clinical supervisor of students and/or behavioral health trainees and interns
• Experience successfully navigating program compliance and audits, as well as evidence of billing and reporting experience.

Competencies

• Leadership & Program Management
  • Ability to establish program goals and objectives, evaluate progress, and manage multiple clinical program sites efficiently.
  • Skill in providing both administrative and clinical supervision to behavioral health staff and trainees.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead teams, foster collaboration, and build a cohesive, high‑functioning work environment.
• Clinical Expertise
  • Expertise in clinical assessment and therapeutic interventions with individuals and groups; experience with family or couples therapy preferred.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of primary care–behavioral health integration, including co‑located and fully integrated service models and population‑based interventions.
  • Medical literacy, including familiarity with common medical terminology, first‑line psychiatric medications, and interdisciplinary treatment team dynamics.
• Cultural Responsiveness
  • Knowledge of the cultural, social, and economic factors impacting the diverse populations served, and ability to apply culturally responsive practices.
  • Demonstrated commitment to cultural responsiveness in clinical practice and leadership.
• Compliance, Quality, & Regulatory Knowledge
  • Knowledge of regulatory requirements for clinical program oversight, billing, reporting, and compliance with state, federal, and payer standards.
  • Ability to lead quality improvement activities and support staff in meeting quality and documentation standards.
  • Skill in collecting, interpreting, and using data for reporting and program improvement.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to present information effectively, provide consultation, and navigate conflict resolution.
  • Proven ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with patients, families, staff, faculty, and community partners.
• Technical & Documentation Skills
  • Ability to document accurately and efficiently in an Electronic Health Record and use clinic software systems.
  • Ability to provide services on virtual platforms and deliver telehealth care when required.
• Productivity & Organizational Skills
  • Ability to set, maintain, and achieve productivity expectations for self and team.
  • Strong initiative, independent work skills, and ability to address issues proactively to support desired outcomes.

Anticipated Pay Range

Instructor: $71,444 to $79,752

Sr. Instructor: $72,159 to $80,549

Assistant Professor: $72.873 to $81,347

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [e-mail].

Background Check Statement

The University of Colorado Anschutz is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine-preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety-sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.

Primary Location

Aurora

Department

U0001 -- Anschutz Med Campus or Denver

Schedule

Full-time

Posting Date

Sep 8, 2026

Unposting Date

Ongoing