Implementation Specialist

Job Title: Implementation Specialist

Grade: 23

Salary: $84,806-$93,896

The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene is seeking a qualified candidate to fill an Implementation Specialist position. The Implementation Specialist supports New York State Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in strengthening workflow practices, developing and optimizing systems, and improving daily operational effectiveness. This role works collaboratively with the Coordinator of Fidelity and Best Practices, the program's clinical, administrative, and leadership staff, to ensure ACT model fidelity, regulatory compliance, and efficient service delivery. The Program Implementation Specialist serves as a bridge between policy, practice, and operations, providing hands-on technical assistance, training, and change-management support across ACT programs. Successful candidates for this role will demonstrate the following core competencies in their work: system thinking and process improvement; implementation and change management; technical assistance and training delivery; data-informed decision making; recovery-oriented and person-centered care; and cultural humility and equity-focused practice.

This position will be primarily remote plus field-based work with ACT teams. Candidates must reside in New York State or in the NYS Metro area. Travel to ACT programs across New York State will be required as needed, including occasional overnight stays to accommodate team needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Workflow & Operations Support

• Assess existing ACT team workflows, daily operations, and documentation practices to identify gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Assist ACT teams in redesigning workflows to support team-based care, field-based service delivery, and 24/7 coverage requirements.
• Support implementation of standardized operating procedures for intake, service delivery, crisis response, discharge planning, and transitions of care.
• Provide guidance on caseload management processes, team meeting structures, and role clarity across multidisciplinary staff.

Systems Development & Optimization

• Support the development, implementation, and refinement of operational systems (e.g., scheduling, documentation, communication, data tracking).
• Assist teams in effective use of electronic health records (EHRs) and other data systems in alignment with Medicaid, OMH, and ACT reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with program leadership to develop tools, templates, and dashboards that support performance monitoring and quality improvement.
• Help align local systems with state-level policies, best practices, and ACT model standards

Training & Technical Assistance

• Deliver individualized and group-based technical assistance to ACT teams, supervisors, and administrators.
• Develop and facilitate training on workflow optimization, documentation standards, operational best practices, and ACT fidelity.
• Support onboarding and training of new ACT staff related to operational processes and systems.
• Reinforce evidence-based practices and recovery-oriented, person-centered approaches

Implementation & Change Management

• Support ACT teams through the implementation of new practices, policies, and system changes using structured implementation frameworks.
• Identify barriers to implementation and collaborate with teams to develop practical, sustainable solutions.
• Promote staff engagement, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
• Provide follow-up support to ensure changes are adopted, sustained, and effective.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Track implementation progress, outcomes, and operational metrics.
• Assist with ACT fidelity reviews, audits, and quality assurance activities.
• Prepare written summaries, recommendations, and reports for program leadership and stakeholders.
• Use data to inform ongoing improvements and decision-making.

Must be willing to travel throughout New York State

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, public health, psychology, healthcare administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in ACT or comparable behavioral health programs, community mental health, or Medicaid-funded services, demonstrating knowledge of ACT principles, team structure, and service delivery model according to NYS guidance.
• At least (1) year of demonstrates experience supporting program implementation, operations, or systems improvement.
• At least (1) year of demonstrates experience in understanding of workflow design, documentation processes, and operational systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in social work, mental health counseling, public health, healthcare administration, or related field.
• Experience working directly with ACT teams or COMO-licensed programs in New York State.
• Familiarity with Medicaid billing, OMH regulations, and ACT fidelity standards.
• Experience with EHR systems and data reporting in behavioral health settings.
• Background in quality improvement, implementation science, or change management.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and technical assistance skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.

Work Location: 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032

To Apply: Submit an application through our website at https://rfmh.applicantpro.com/jobs/. Please note only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

The Mission of the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH) is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. RFMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, RFMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring that RFMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. RFMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

The Research Foundation is a private not-for-profit corporation and is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. Excellent Benefits Package. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer - Disabled/Veteran, 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) compliant.