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The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.



Step into a high-impact leadership role within the Office of the OBH Medical Director, guiding Louisiana’s most complex statewide forensic and inpatient behavioral health programs. You’ll shape policy and operations across key partners—including East Louisiana Mental Health System and Central Louisiana State Hospital—while driving compliance, clinical quality, and system wide improvement for adults with mental health disorders. This role offers rare statewide influence: directing admissions and continued stay decisions, overseeing critical legal and juvenile programs, and collaborating with major agencies to strengthen care across Louisiana. Work is performed in accordance with the policies and regulations of all applicable licensing and governmental agencies. Statewide Travel is required. If you’re ready to lead at the intersection of healthcare, law, and public service—this is your moment to apply.

The ideal candidate should be a licensed psychologist with experience working with state level behavioral health hospitals is preferred, and a willingness to work with forensic inpatient behavioral health facilities. 

Requirements

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice psychology followed by one year of experience in psychological research, testing, or counseling.

Qualifications

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.Job Duties:

  • Serves as Divisional Supervisory Monitor for all CEA hospitals, including approval of continued stay requests, onsite monitoring, data analysis and reporting, invoice review, contractor coordination, and collaboration on complex patient placements.
  • Functions as OBH subject matter expert on judicial commitments, forensic issues, and complex inpatient psychiatric cases, including case coordination, complaint resolution, and consultation with legal and regional partners.
  • Provides leadership on legislative, policy, and system initiatives by advising administration, analyzing legislative impact, developing policies and procedures, and preparing reports, public information, and outcome evaluations.
  • Manages the statewide 648B civil commitment evaluation process, directing contract physicians, ensuring court compliance, coordinating placements and transfers, maintaining case data, and resolving legal and system issues.
  • Oversees the statewide juvenile competency restoration program, including supervision of program leadership, provider certification and training, protocol development, data review, and consultation with courts and stakeholders.
  • Directs compliance with the Federal Settlement Agreement and administration of adult forensic services, including monitoring performance data, calculating compliance rates, and approving required reports for state and federal review.
  • Serves as liaison and collaborator with local governing entities, courts, attorneys, and partner agencies to facilitate treatment access, resolve complex cases, and ensure quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across programs.

Position-Specific Details:

Location: Office of Behavioral Health / Executive / East Baton Rouge Parish

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a Probationary appointment 

Cost Center: 3301010102

Position Number(s): 50417940


How To Apply:

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.


To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page. 


* Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.


Contact Information:

Patricia Walker

Patricia.Walker.DCFS@la.gov

LA Department of Health (LDH)

Division of Human Resources

PO Box 4818

Baton Rouge, LA 70821

225-342-6477


This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218. 


LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities. 


Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.


LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.



Date Posted
03/02/2026
Job Reference
OBH/PAW/218095
Organization
LDH-Office of Behavioral Health
Location
Baton Rouge, LA
Category
Mental Health/Social Services
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