Associate Program Director

Casa Esperanza•Tewksbury, MA

6d•$80,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Program Director leads the daily operational functioning of Casa Esperanza Conexiones, a 32-bed residential program at Tewksbury Hospital providing clinical stabilization and acute withdrawal management services to adults with substance use disorders, including people with co-occurring mental health conditions. The program offers a structured, physically and psychologically safe environment focused on stabilization, sustainable recovery, and development of a healthy, productive, and meaningful lifestyle. This role combines program management, milieu coordination, nursing-informed oversight, and clinical operations leadership. The Associate Program Director oversees day-to-day operations, patient flow, census management, safety protocols, crisis management, quality assurance, and staff supervision. The role coordinates with clinical, medical, operational, and administrative teams to support safe and efficient services that meet organizational standards, licensing requirements, and best practices. The position supports people who may also experience homelessness, justice-system involvement, and barriers to healthcare access. It promotes culturally competent, patient-centered, recovery-focused, trauma-informed care and a therapeutic environment that supports stabilization, engagement, and long-term recovery. The Associate Program Director collaborates with the Program Director and may act as a liaison with Tewksbury Hospital, Campus Police, Emergency Medical Services, and community partners in the Program Director’s absence. The role also has on-call responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

The job description requires responsibility for direct supervision of Milieu Staff and other operational or support staff as designated.
The job description assigns responsibility for daily program operations, staff scheduling and coverage, performance management, training and competency oversight, and safety and regulatory compliance.
Offers of employment are contingent on providing proof of full COVID-19 vaccination under the stated requirements; candidates may request an exemption for qualifying medical issues or sincerely held religious beliefs.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily program operations in collaboration with the Program Director, including patient care coordination, patient flow, census management, safety initiatives, crisis intervention, and therapeutic milieu management.
Monitor clinical operations to support timely service delivery and use nursing and clinical knowledge to promote safe care and adherence to best practices.
Coordinate care with medical providers, nursing staff, counselors, unit managers, recovery specialists, external partners, and other multidisciplinary team members.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, case reviews, and operational planning.
Provide leadership during patient crises and coordinate clinical, medical, and emergency interventions as needed.
Support medication management processes and compliance with medication storage, administration, and documentation protocols.
Monitor infection control standards, universal precautions, weather emergency protocols, and patient safety initiatives.
Maintain a structured, therapeutic, recovery-oriented environment and ensure program schedules, recovery groups, peer support, and therapeutic activities are implemented consistently.
Supervise and monitor milieu operations across shifts; provide hands-on coaching and support to direct care staff at the front desk and in the milieu.
Ensure completion of room checks, patient safety checks, environmental rounds, security monitoring, and required documentation.
Promote trauma-informed care, recovery support, patient dignity, and patient-centered engagement; coordinate recreational, educational, recovery support, and peer-led activities.
Directly supervise Unit Managers, Recovery Specialists, Milieu Staff, and designated operational personnel; provide coaching, feedback, training, supervision, and professional development.
Ensure staff competency in crisis intervention, de-escalation, safety procedures, documentation, and regulatory standards.
Participate in recruitment, onboarding, orientation, performance evaluations, corrective action, and retention initiatives.
Coordinate schedules, holiday coverage, shift assignments, and on-call rotations, ensuring adequate coverage across operational shifts.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, local, payer, accreditation, and licensing requirements, and maintain readiness for audits, inspections, site visits, and accreditation reviews.
Submit operational, quality, and compliance reports accurately and on time; review critical incident reports, safety documentation, and shift reports daily and ensure appropriate follow-up.
Lead data-informed quality improvement work and corrective actions or system changes.
Serve as program safety lead; coach and train staff in crisis response and lead or support crisis management, including MACCDADD.
Coordinate emergency preparedness activities, drills, tabletop exercises, and Continuity of Operations Planning requirements.
Act as lead liaison with Tewksbury Hospital, Campus Police, Emergency Medical Services, and community partners when the Program Director is absent.
Ensure emergency response equipment is maintained, investigate safety concerns, implement corrective actions, and promote workplace safety.
Oversee inventory, supply tracking, purchasing requests, and operational resource allocation; manage work orders and coordinate with vendors to support facility maintenance.
Coordinate with Information Technology, Operations, Security, and other support services; maintain operational records and documentation.
Assist with budget monitoring and responsible use of program resources.
Provide monthly coaching, training, and capacity-building opportunities; ensure staff maintain required certifications and competencies.
Collaborate with People, Operations, and Training Departments on professional development and mandatory training.
Fulfill on-call responsibilities as assigned and perform other duties supporting program operations and organizational goals.

Benefits

Compensation of $80,000–$90,000.
401(k) plan with employer matching contributions up to 6% of annual salary after one year of service.
12 paid holidays per year plus one floating holiday.
Paid time off: 18 days in year one, 20.5 days in year two, and 23 days in year five.
10 paid sick days per year.
Long- and short-term disability coverage.
Company-paid life insurance.
Health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision.
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account (FSA/DCA).
ComPsych Guidance Resources Employee Assistance Program.
Educational opportunities.
Tuition remission.
Employee Ticket at Work discounts for entertainment, travel, movies, and other offerings.
Career advancement opportunities.
Increased salary for credentials.