Job Description

Innovative Medical Leadership Opportunity Vice President, Medical – Crisis & Forensic Programs

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (The Harris Center) – the largest non-profit provider in Texas - is seeking a progressive, mission-driven physician leader to become their next VP, Medical overseeing Crisis and Forensic programs. The new VP will join a collaborative team committed to providing high-quality, efficient evidence-based care for individuals with behavioral health and developmental needs.

Home-based in Harris County, Texas, The Harris Center ( is a $318 M non-profit care center in Texas, providing a range of behavioral health and I/DD services. The Harris Center offers treatment through outpatient care, residential programs, community-based programs, school-based programs, crisis services, and forensic services. Patients and their families are supported by trained and certified staff at The Harris Centers various locations across Houston and Harris County – as well as through the continued expansion of telehealth and innovative evidence-based practices. The Harris Centers staff delivers thousands of visits to consumers each year, helping to support the health and wellness of all ages.

The Harris Center’s comprehensive crisis services include a 24/7 Crisis Access Line, Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT), and the Crisis Stabilization Unit, all designed to provide immediate and effective support to individuals experiencing mental health emergencies. The forensic services program at The Harris Center works closely with the criminal justice system to provide specialized care for individuals with mental health issues who are involved in the legal system. This includes competency restoration programs, jail diversion initiatives, and forensic evaluations, aimed at reducing recidivism and improving outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Location

Adding to the appeal of this professional opportunity is its administrative location in Houston, Texas. Houston offers a well-balanced mix of lifestyles and amenities, making it an attractive destination for professionals and their families. As one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States, Houston provides a rich landscape of cultural experiences, from world-class museums and theaters to vibrant arts districts and diverse culinary scenes.

Houston’s urban vibrancy is complemented by its numerous family-friendly neighborhoods, each offering a unique charm and sense of community. Houston is also renowned for its educational opportunities, with top-rated schools and prestigious universities, including Rice University and the University of Houston, contributing to its reputation as a center for learning and innovation. The strong sense of community in Houston is evident in its numerous community events, festivals, and farmer’s markets. Whether you prefer the bustling energy of downtown living or the tranquility of suburban neighborhoods, Houston has something to offer everyone.

The city boasts an abundance of parks, trails, and green spaces, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, biking, and scenic views. Memorial Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, offers miles of running and biking trails, golf courses, and lush landscapes. Additionally, Houston is located only 50 miles from Galveston, located on the Gulf Coast – providing opportunities for beach outings and water activities.

Overall, Houston promises a vibrant and fulfilling lifestyle, making it an excellent place to live, work, and thrive. With top-rated schools, low crime rate, and a thriving community, it is an excellent place for individuals and families alike.

The Opportunity

The Vice President, Medical – Crisis and Forensic Programs provides medical leadership for The Harris Center’s crisis and forensic service lines. Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, the VP is critical in providing guidance and medical contribution toward the development of novel crisis psychiatric programs in Harris County. The ideal candidate for this role is someone with a psychiatric background and is passionate about community health – bringing with them competence around evidence-based medical and people management. Existing operations at The Harris Center is very stable, and the organization is seeking an individual who is energetic and has a strong sense of integrity – a leader that is open to collaboration and inter-disciplinary decision-making, experienced with the implementation of innovative evidence-based practices in crisis and/or forensic programming, and is comfortable managing stakeholder relationships.

Essential Functions

• Provide large scope medical oversight across the psychiatric crisis continuum and forensic programs at The Harris Center.
• Oversee the administration of medical services to the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), Crisis Respite Units (CRU), Jail-based mental health services, Neuropsychiatric Center (emergency and crisis psychiatric services), Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) program, and forensic outpatient programs (FACT, TCOOMMI, NewStart).
• Provide guidance and medical contribution toward the development of novel crisis psychiatric programs in Harris County.
• Directly supervise Medical Director, Jail Programs; Medical Director, Psychiatric Emergency Services; Medical Director, MCOT, and Medical Director, CSU.
• Ensure compliance with state, company policies, and other regulations governing mental health services, including complying with Division of Mental Health regulations.
• Coordinate medical services with other departments throughout the organization.
• Cooperate with law enforcement departments, hospitals, state, and community organizations in the interest of persons referred for services.
• Organize and manage medical administration including but not limited to, medical necessity reviews, insurance certifications, treatment plan reviews, and Medicaid review.
• Assess current programming and collaborate cross-functionally to implement innovative evidence-based practices across crisis and forensic service continuums.

Education and/or Experience

• Good standing MD or DO with current board-certification in psychiatry.
• Requires more than four (4) years of medical management experience.
• Requires supervisory or management experience in community psychiatry and up-to-date knowledge of psychopharmacology.
• Requires three (3) to five (5) years in a psychiatric Medical Director role including experience with medical staff affairs governance, quality, safety, and risk management.
• Strong physician, employee, and community stakeholder relations experience, and a track record of successfully managing complex issues for vulnerable populations.
• Exceptional communication skills and strengths in managing diverse stakeholder relationships, both internal and external to the organization.
• Strong knowledge of best-in-class behavioral health services including quality and outcome measurement and data analytics.
• Extensive clinical experience in community psychiatry crisis settings, crisis operations, and medical informatics applicable to clinical workflows.
• Knowledge about regulatory and accreditation programs in community mental health, medical peer review administration, and experience with QI/change management application.
• Strong emotional intelligence, integrity, a flexible, growth mindset focused on innovation and patient safety, and the ability to respond quickly and decisively to changing and uncertain operating conditions while promoting psychological and physical safety for teams.
• Strong preference for advanced administrative degree (MHA, MBA, MHSA, MPH) or FACHE, and specialty certification (child, forensic), although not required.

Compensation

The Harris Center offers a competitive compensation package with excellent benefits.

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