Prep Academy Direct Care Manager

ST VINCENT FAMILY SERVICES•Columbus, OH

About The Position

The Day Treatment Direct Care Manager provides operational leadership and direct supervision for staff responsible for the daily therapeutic milieu within Prep Academy. The Manager coordinates staffing, workflow, program routines, training, documentation oversight, and crisis response to ensure children and youth receive safe, consistent, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive services. The position partners with clinical, education, nursing, transportation, and administrative leaders to support treatment goals, maintain regulatory compliance, strengthen staff performance, and promote a safe and caring environment focused on restraint prevention and reduction. This is a working manager role. The Manager maintains a visible presence in program areas, responds to emerging operational and safety needs, coaches staff in real time, and provides direct support when needed to preserve continuity of care and appropriate staffing coverage.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum of two years of supervisory or managerial experience.
Valid Ohio Driver’s License and proof of insurance required.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with diverse internal and external audiences and convey sensitive information to client families and employees.
Strong mathematical skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Outlook.
Basic knowledge of data collection, analysis, and database programs.
Accuracy and attention to detail; analytical and problem-solving skills; initiative and independent judgment; ability to work without continuous supervision and cooperatively with internal and external groups.
Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment, manage time effectively, multitask, and stay organized in a fast-paced, changing environment.
Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling client information, agency proprietary information, and sensitive situations.
Ability to complete paperwork promptly and interpret and respond to clinical documentation inquiries.
Ability to demonstrate empathy and compassion, and contribute as a team member.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or five years of experience providing relevant mental health services to children from birth to 18 years of age.
Master’s degree in social work or another related discipline.
Current Ohio licensure (LSW, LPC, LISW, LPCC, or Ph.D.).

Responsibilities

Coordinate daily direct care operations, staff assignments, schedules, breaks, coverage, transitions, and client movement with the Day Treatment leadership team.
Maintain a consistent, structured, therapeutic environment incorporating agency-approved programming, behavior support practices, and trauma-informed care.
Monitor staffing ratios and program coverage throughout the day, and promptly escalate and resolve staffing or safety concerns.
Ensure day treatment groups and activities are purposeful, therapeutic, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with the approved program curriculum and individualized treatment goals.
Maintain a visible leadership presence and provide hands-on operational support during high-risk periods, crises, transitions, admissions, discharges, and unusual events.
Coordinate environmental readiness and ensure program spaces are clean, organized, adequately supplied, and free from avoidable safety hazards.
Provide direct supervision, coaching, performance feedback, and professional development for assigned Adaptive Behavior Specialists.
Lead regular individual and team supervision covering client care, staff wellness, performance expectations, documentation, safety, and professional conduct.
Complete onboarding, orientation, competency validation, and ongoing training for assigned staff; track completion of required agency, licensure, certification, and program-specific training.
Monitor attendance, punctuality, timesheets, expense and mileage submissions, schedules, and adherence to agency policies.
Address performance concerns through coaching, corrective action, and progressive discipline in partnership with the Program Director and Human Resources.
Promote staff retention and engagement through accountability, teamwork, recognition, psychological safety, wellness, and appropriate self-care.
Promote restraint reduction by reinforcing proactive engagement, co-regulation, de-escalation, environmental supports, and individualized crisis prevention strategies.
Provide leadership during behavioral or medical emergencies and ensure agency crisis response procedures are followed.
Review restraint documentation, adverse incident reports, injury reports, and related records for completeness, timeliness, accuracy, required notifications, and follow-up.
Participate in post-incident review and debriefing, identify contributing factors and needed supports, and recommend corrective or preventive actions.
Ensure staff maintain required crisis intervention certifications and demonstrate competency in approved prevention and response techniques.
Model the agency mission, vision, core values, professional standards, and commitment to equitable and culturally responsive care.
Contribute to a welcoming and inclusive environment for children, families, employees, and community partners from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Participate in leadership meetings, quality improvement activities, staff training, and program planning as assigned.
Provide the Program Director with regular updates regarding staffing, performance, incidents, documentation, training, and operational risks.
Perform other duties as assigned to meet program and agency needs.