Full Job Description
Zero Suicide Program Director
Work location: Texas Health Resources, 612 E. Lamar Arlington, TX 76011
Work hours: Full Time (40hours) Day Shift
This opportunity is a grant funded role that will lead and advance a system-wide suicide prevention initiative through implementation of the Zero Suicide framework. This role provides strategic oversight of clinical programs, SAMHSA grant compliance, workforce education, quality improvement, and data-driven outcomes while partnering with leaders across the health system to enhance patient safety and behavioral health care. Ideal candidates bring behavioral health leadership experience, expertise in suicide prevention, and a passion for driving meaningful organizational impact.
Education
• Master's Degree Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Public Health, Nursing, or a Closely Related Field required
• Other Doctoral degree in a related field preferred
Experience
• 3 Years Progressively responsible experience in behavioral health program management, including supervisory and/or team leadership responsibilities, with demonstrated experience in suicide prevention, crisis intervention, or related clinical programming required and
• Experience managing federally funded grants, including familiarity with SAMHSA grant requirements, federal reporting standards, and 2 CFR Part 200 compliance required and
Strong data literacy, including experience developing and monitoring program metrics and using data to drive quality improvement required and
• Prior experience implementing the Zero Suicide framework in a hospital or integrated health system setting preferred
Familiarity with the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention, and Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation curriculum preferred
• Experience with the EPIC electronic health record (EHR) system and clinical data reporting tools preferred
• Established relationships with local or state-level suicide prevention coalitions or behavioral health authorities preferred
Licenses and Certifications
• LMSW - Licensed Master Social Worker Current licensure as a clinical social worker, professional counselor, psychologist, or registered nurse (as applicable) in the state of Texas Upon Hire Preferred
What You Will Do
Program Leadership and Strategic Oversight
• Provide vision and strategic direction for all Zero Suicide framework implementation activities across the health system, including emergency, inpatient, and outpatient behavioral health settings.
• Lead the development, execution, and ongoing refinement of a comprehensive Zero Suicide implementation plan aligned with SAMHSA-approved work plans, timelines, and performance benchmarks.
• Serve as the organizational champion for the Zero Suicide framework, advancing a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement at all levels of the institution.
• Represent the Zero Suicide initiative in senior leadership meetings, quality and safety committees, and relevant external forums.
• Coordinate with hospital leadership and clinical department heads to ensure organization-wide buy-in, resource alignment, and sustained commitment to Zero Suicide principles
Clinical Program Implementation
• Oversee the adoption and fidelity of all core Zero Suicide clinical components, including but not limited to:
Universal screening using validated tools (e.g., Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale [C-SSRS], Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) across all relevant points of care;
o Comprehensive suicide risk assessment protocols integrated into clinical workflows;
o Safety planning using evidence-based tools (e.g., Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention) for all patients identified at elevated risk;
o Lethal means counseling provided to patients and caregivers as a standard component of risk management;
o Care transition protocols to ensure continuity and safety at discharge, transfer, and step-down points;
o Follow-up and post-discharge contact processes, including outreach to high-risk patients within 24-72 hours of discharge; and
o Crisis response pathways that ensure timely, appropriate intervention for patients in acute distress.
• Ensure clinical protocols are evidence-based, regularly reviewed, and consistently applied across all service lines and provider types.
• Collaborate with clinical leadership to identify and address gaps in care delivery, workflow barriers, and opportunities for protocol refinement.
Team Leadership and Workforce Development
• Support an interdisciplinary Zero Suicide implementation team, which may include clinical coordinators, quality improvement specialists, peer support staff, data analysts, and training coordinators.
• Lead the design and delivery of a comprehensive Zero Suicide workforce training program, including foundational training (e.g., Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training [ASIST], safeTALK), role-specific clinical competency development, and ongoing continuing education.
• Monitor staff training completion rates and competency attainment; identify and address gaps in training coverage across departments.
• Foster a psychologically safe team environment that supports open discussion of near-misses, sentinel events, and opportunities for improvement without stigma or blame.
Grant Management and Compliance
• Serve as the primary point of accountability for all SAMHSA grant deliverables, ensuring activities are executed in accordance with the approved grant scope, timeline, and budget.
• Oversee the preparation and timely submission of all required federal reports, including semi-annual progress reports, annual performance reports, and any other compliance documentation required by SAMHSA.
• Maintain current knowledge of SAMHSA reporting requirements, federal grants management regulations (including 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Guidance), and applicable programmatic standards.
• Coordinate with the organization's finance and grants management offices to monitor expenditures, ensure appropriate use of funds, and support audit readiness.
• Serve as the primary organizational contact for the assigned SAMHSA Government Project Officer (GPO), maintaining proactive and transparent communication regarding program progress, challenges, and modifications.
• Identify and communicate any changes in program scope, staffing, or budget that may require prior approval or formal amendment.
Quality Improvement and Data Management
• Lead the development and implementation of a robust performance monitoring framework, including the identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with SAMHSA-required performance measures and organizational goals.
• Oversee data collection, validation, and analysis processes to track program outcomes, including screening rates, safety plan completion, follow-up contact rates, care transition fidelity, and suicide attempt and death rates.
• Facilitate regular quality improvement cycles using data-driven methodologies (e.g., Plan-Do-Study-Act) to identify trends, address root causes, and implement evidence-informed improvements.
• Prepare and present data summaries, dashboards, and program updates for internal stakeholders, governing bodies, and SAMHSA as required.
• Ensure data privacy and security in all program-related data collection and reporting activities in compliance with HIPAA and applicable federal and state regulations.
Community and Stakeholder Engagement
• Develop and sustain collaborative partnerships with community-based organizations, crisis services, peer support networks, primary care providers, and other entities that support continuity of care for individuals at risk of suicide.
• Engage individuals with lived experience and family members in program design, evaluation, and quality improvement activities where appropriate.
• Represent the health system in local, regional, and state-level suicide prevention coalitions, task forces, and learning collaboratives.
• Support public awareness and stigma-reduction efforts related to suicide prevention, mental health, and help-seeking.
Additional perks of being a Texas Health employee
• Benefits include 401k, PTO, medical, dental, Paid Parental Leave, flex spending, tuition reimbursement, Student Loan Repayment Program as well as several other benefits.
• Delivery of high quality of patient care through nursing education, nursing research and innovations in nursing practice.
• Strong Unit Based Council (UBC). A supportive, team environment with outstanding opportunities for growth.
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