University of California, San Francisco

Citywide PES Linkage Program Director

654 Minnesota Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

Full-time

First seen by offpeak October 7, 2026

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Under the direction of the Deputy Division Director, the Program Director provides strategic, clinical, and administrative leadership for the Citywide Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) Linkage Program, including the Clinical Discharge and Caseload teams. The Director is responsible for overall program functioning, quality, effectiveness, and alignment with departmental and system-wide priorities. This includes oversight of multidisciplinary staff, including Clinical Social Workers, psychiatrist, and nursing staff, as well as recruitment, training, supervision, performance evaluation, and professional development. The Director provides clinical and administrative supervision and leadership regarding complex cases, utilization management, discharge planning, and continuity of care, while fostering effective team collaboration and high-quality, trauma-informed services for adults with serious mental illness, many of whom experience co-occurring substance use disorders, significant trauma, and chronic institutionalization.

The Director oversees clinical and operational systems that support effective service delivery, including documentation, billing, charting, quality assurance, outcomes, contract compliance, and budgeting/program expenditures. The Director develops and monitors data and performance measures to evaluate program effectiveness and drive continuous quality improvement. Services include psychotherapy, crisis intervention, case management, outreach, discharge planning, and linkage to ongoing behavioral health services in PES and community settings. The Director provides direct clinical services and consultation and ensures that program practices remain responsive to the needs of clients, staff, and the broader behavioral health system. Staffing is subject to change and other duties assigned based on the operational needs of the program and the behavioral health system.

The Director serves as a senior liaison and representative for the program across City, County, community, and contracted agencies, including San Francisco Department of Public Health Behavioral Health Services, the Behavioral Health System of Care, Transitions, the Office of Coordinated Care, the Public Conservator, and Jail Psychiatric Services. In collaboration with internal and community partners, the Director identifies system gaps and opportunities for program growth, develops expansion strategies and RFP/Q responses, and strengthens pathways across levels of care. The Director represents the program in public meetings and provides leadership on issues related to psychiatric emergency services, behavioral health linkage, discharge planning, and continuity of care.

Department Overview

The Division of Citywide Case Management Programs at UCSF/ZSFG, Department of Psychiatry is located at 1263 Mission Street, San Francisco. The Division provides comprehensive outpatient treatment to those suffering from severe mental illness, often complicated by homelessness, chronic traumatization, institutionalization, substance use disorder and chronic medical conditions. The mission of the Division is to help clients recover prior functioning, while reducing reliance on acute services, and facilitate transitions from ZSFG psychiatric inpatient, jails, or other institutions to the community. Our programs serve a diverse group of individuals, in terms of social, cultural, and linguistic characteristics; and is structured around interdisciplinary teams. Interventions provided include psychotherapy, crisis intervention, psychotropic medication management, case management, outreach, and employment services.

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

YESPlans, implements, and oversees discharge planning for patients admitted to PES, including triage, clinically appropriate resource allocation, coordination of services, and timely documentation. Ensures services effectively engage and address the needs of clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Responds to complex or escalated patient and staff issues and facilitates appropriate clinical and operational resolutions.

YESSupervises staff performing behavioral health services including, assessment, discharge planning, case management, counseling, psychotherapy, crisis intervention for patients with serious mental health disorders. Ensures compliance with departmental, DPH, and UCSF policies, procedures, and defined internal controls. Ensures accountability and stewardship of department resources (operational, financial, and human) in compliance with departmental standards and procedures.

YESResponsible for recruitment, hiring and training of new staff who share the UCSF PRIDE values, and mission of the Division of Citywide Case Management. Ensure the completion of staff performance evaluations, ongoing clinical and administrative supervision for all employees and progressive discipline as needed. Develops a strong culture of teamwork to ensure the quality of daily operations, effective interdepartmental collaborations, and the timely achievement of objectives. Staff Involvement: Chair staff meetings, expanding opportunities for staff input, and program development. Promotes professional growth, education and advancement, encourages participation in training and educational programs

YESEnsures quality of treatment and compliance with internal, City and County, State and MediCAL policy and regulatory agencies. Ensures clinical documentation conform to standards. Keeps abreast of and Implements new or changing patient care standards of practice, scope of practice, competency development and assessment, policies and procedures and new programs. Oversee staff billing/productivity, charting to funder standards, adherence to HIPAA regulations, and responsiveness to client concerns and/or complaints.

YESPartners with managers across services (e.g., psychiatry, internal medicine, community-based programs etc.) to ensure coordination of care across disciplines. Collaborates with an interdisciplinary team of health care clinicians in efforts to develop healthcare policies, practice standards and improve services.

100%

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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Master’s degree in social work, psychology, or related field from an accredited University and six years of related work experience including at least five in a lead/supervisory role or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as LCSW, MFT or LPCC
Advanced knowledge and applied background in clinical intervention strategies and treatment planning for patients with severe mental health conditions. Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge in an acute care setting.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. Ability to apply policy knowledge to suggest improvements to potential regulatory issues.
Proven ability to effectively manage, lead and motivate employees. Strong conflict resolution skills to resolve issues and counsel staff. Two years of supervisory experience
Proven ability to organize, manage multiple priorities, and delegate work functions efficiently.
Strong interpersonal skills to create and maintain a climate for effective communication and collaborative decision making.
Verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate. Demonstrated active listening, persuasion and counseling skills.
Knowledge of business software, specialized applications and electronic medical records systems used in behavioral health clinics / clinical departments.
Six years of post-master's experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
Experience working with severe mentally ill adults, homeless and dual diagnosis populations
Previous experience working with populations that are diverse in gender, sexual orientation and ethnicity
Able to lift 50lbs and climb stairs
Demonstrated excellent attendance and reliability
A preliminary job offer and assignment may be extended pending successful background clearance.
Strong interpersonal skills and experience working with populations that is diverse in gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity.
Ability to work with clients and program staff from diverse cultural and social class backgrounds
Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with others. Ability to work in a high stress, high volume area and work well under pressure and with deadlines. Ability to follow oral and written instructions accurately; detail oriented. Able to efficiently prepare written summaries of activities, set priorities and complete reports within required timeframes. Knowledge of medical and/or psychiatric terminology.
Good oral, written, and telephone communication skills. Able to work as a team member in a culturally diverse setting.
Ability to work with other providers who possess different level of skills, education and training
Ability to work on a multidisciplinary team, including on-site support services and property management staff

PREFERRED:

Prior experience working in an emergency room and/or acute psychiatric setting

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:

Licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as LCSW, MFT or LPCC

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