Director of Outpatient Services and Programs

Northern Children Services • Philadelphia, PA

20h

About The Position

Northern Children’s Services is seeking an experienced, mission-driven Director of Outpatient Services and Programs to lead the day-to-day clinical and administrative operations of its Outpatient Program. Reporting to the Senior Director of Behavioral Health, the Director is a member of the Behavioral Health leadership team and is responsible for ensuring high-quality, evidence-based, trauma-informed services; strong operational and financial performance; measurable client outcomes; and compliance with organizational, city, and state requirements.

The role combines clinical expertise with administrative discipline, data fluency, and performance accountability. The Director supervises therapists, program staff, and Master’s-level student interns; oversees clinical quality, staffing, workflows, documentation, productivity, access, billing, budgets, and census; and uses program dashboards and benchmarks to evaluate performance and guide improvement. The Director also fosters clear communication, professional accountability, continuous improvement, and a trauma-informed program culture.

The Director collaborates across Northern’s programs and departments, including Residential Programs, Intensive Behavioral Health Services, the part-time psychiatrist, Quality, Finance, Development, and external agencies. The position requires travel throughout Philadelphia and the ability to support after-hours operations, including occasional nights and weekends. Northern Children’s Services describes its mission as supporting the healthy development of children and youth while stabilizing families and building stronger communities.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a mental health discipline or related field.
• Active clinical license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Qualifying licenses listed are LAPC, LBS, LCSW, LPC, LMFT, LSW, or Licensed Psychologist (Psy.D. or Ph.D.).
• At least six years of experience in a health or social service organization, including at least three years in a supervisory or administrative leadership role.
• Experience providing clinical supervision using evidence-based practices and outcomes-driven treatment, with expertise working with children, adolescents, and families.
• Strong knowledge of CBH, DBHIDS, OMHSAS, and applicable DHS-State regulations and procedures.
• Knowledge of and experience with commercial insurance and authorization processes.
• Proficiency with electronic health record systems and healthcare information technology.
• Ability to use data and program dashboards to guide operational and clinical decision-making.
• Demonstrated success building and sustaining high-performing clinical teams.
• Commitment to Northern’s mission and ability to articulate and promote its philosophy, values, and goals to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to walk up and down steps and operate a computer, printer, and calculator.
• Ability to support after-hours operations, including occasional nights and weekends, and travel throughout the City of Philadelphia.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in outpatient behavioral health programs serving children and youth in an urban setting.
• Familiarity with Mission Driven Data (Janet), Power BI, or similar program management and reporting tools.
• Knowledge of the child welfare system.
• Experience with Credible/Qualifacts electronic health records is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the clinical and administrative operations of the Outpatient Program, ensuring services meet best practices and regulatory standards.
• Monitor electronic health records for documentation quality, accuracy, and timely submission; review and approve clinical work.
• Maintain strong clinical supervision structures appropriate to staff licensure levels and support clinicians pursuing licensure and approved evidence-based certifications.
• Ensure children and youth have current, high-quality treatment plans and receive individualized, outcomes-driven care.
• Maintain adherence to Northern policies and to applicable Community Behavioral Health (CBH), OMHSAS, DBHIDS, and DHS-State requirements.
• Directly supervise outpatient therapists, program staff, and Master’s-level student interns; communicate and document performance expectations and address concerns through coaching, retraining, or corrective action as appropriate.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate program staff, and make appropriate human resources recommendations to the Senior Director of Behavioral Health.
• Review dashboards and monthly reports covering census, productivity, access, client outcomes, and documentation compliance; implement standardized outcome tools, maintain data integrity, and make timely corrections when performance declines.
• Use program management and reporting systems to support real-time management, mid-course corrections, billing optimization, and program improvement.
• Align staffing with census and program needs; oversee productivity, access, discharge planning, authorization processes, workflows, documentation, and timely billing.
• Monitor the program budget, maintain operating margin within budgeted guidelines, and allocate resources responsibly.
• Implement and document disciplinary actions arising from investigations or performance issues, ensuring full documentation and HR alignment.
• Maintain strong program census, identify and respond to declines in utilization, referrals, or access, and partner with Behavioral Health leadership and Finance on margins and revenue performance.
• Respond to communications in a timely manner, provide proactive updates, communicate clearly and respectfully, follow through on commitments, and address workplace concerns promptly and fairly.
• Ensure compliance with governing regulations; collaborate with Program Quality; support city and state audits and the development and implementation of Plans of Correction; and maintain compliance through training, supervision, and documentation monitoring.
• Encourage staff feedback, creative problem-solving, and data-informed improvement while fostering psychological safety, adaptability, and clear performance standards.
• Coordinate with Residential Programs, including behavioral health assessments and ongoing clinical support for youth in residential care as needed.
• Collaborate with Intensive Behavioral Health Services to support continuity of care, transitions, and coordinated clinical planning.
• Coordinate shared cases and medication management with Northern’s part-time psychiatrist and participate in regular clinical consultation meetings.
• Coordinate with other Northern services, departments, and outside agencies involved with shared clients; participate in assigned committees and working groups; and collaborate on fund development, grants, and community engagement as applicable.
• Champion trauma-informed practices, emotional intelligence, person-first and strengths-based language, and a therapeutic environment promoting safety, nonviolence, and resilience for clients and staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program offering confidential referral and counseling services for employees and their families.
• Paid sick leave accrual of one hour for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours per calendar year; accrued leave may be used after 90 days of employment and unused leave rolls over without limit, subject to a maximum of 40 hours of sick leave usage per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director