Director of Behavioral Health and Memory Care Programs - Long Term Care

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland.

Work Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Compensation:

Union Position:

No

Department Details

Summary

The Director of Behavioral Health and Memory Care Programs provides system-level leadership to ensure compassionate, compliant, and person-centered care for vulnerable adults across skilled nursing and memory care settings. Advances excellence in behavioral health services, dementia care programming, PASRR compliance, psychoactive medication stewardship, and workforce competency development under 42 CFR § 42 CFR § 483.40 and guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Serves as the organizational subject matter expert on behavioral health regulations and dementia care best practices. Ensures residents with serious mental illness (SMI), intellectual/developmental disabilities (ID/DD), substance use disorders, and dementia-related conditions receive dignified, trauma-informed, and evidence-based care consistent with our values.

Job Description

Leads organizational compliance with CMS behavioral health and memory care regulations. Interprets and operationalizes federal and state regulations related to vulnerable adult populations in long term care. Provides consultation during survey preparation, mock surveys, and corrective action planning. Monitors trends and proactively mitigates regulatory risk. Provides system oversight for memory care programming across Good Samaritan. Ensures dementia care practices reflect current evidence-based standards and person-centered approaches. Promotes non-pharmacological interventions for dementia related behaviors. Champions trauma-informed and strengths-based care practices. Demonstrates knowledge of and ability to implement principles aligned with the Positive Approach to Care® philosophy. Supports environmental, communication, and care model enhancements specific to cognitive impairment populations. Partners with pharmacy leadership to evaluate psychoactive medication use, including antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and mood stabilizers. Promotes gradual dose reduction (GDR) compliance and non-pharmacologic behavioral interventions. Analyzes quality metrics and collaborate with quality to develop reduction strategies aligned with CMS quality measures. Develops and implements comprehensive behavioral health and dementia care training programs. Ensures staff is competent in dementia communication strategies, de-escalation and behavioral support, trauma-informed care, and care planning for SMI and complex behavioral health conditions. Supervises and mentors Social Services Consultants in regulatory and clinical best practices.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Nursing or licensed nursing home administrator required. Masters preferred.

Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in long-term care, memory care assisted living, or skilled nursing. Demonstrated expertise in dementia care and behavioral health program leadership. Strong knowledge of PASRR Level I and II requirements. Experience collaborating with pharmacy leadership to reduce unnecessary psychoactive medication use. Deep understanding of CMS survey processes and federal regulations impacting behavioral health and memory care. Familiarity with the Positive Approach to Care® framework and person-centered dementia support models. Mission-driven leader.

LCSW, LNHA, RN or other relevant clinical licensure preferred.

Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. 

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-949-5678 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org.