Director of Outpatient Services and Programs

Northern Children's Services • Philadelphia, PA

1d

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 clinically excellent, operationally sound services that produce measurable outcomes for children, youth, and families. The role combines clinical expertise with administrative discipline, data-informed decision-making, performance accountability, and program sustainability.

The Director oversees clinical care, staff supervision, program operations, quality assurance, compliance, census, budgets, and financial performance. They use program dashboards and management systems to monitor outcomes, productivity, access, documentation, billing, and other benchmarks, and implement timely improvements when needed. The role also requires clear communication, collaboration across Northern programs and departments, and a trauma-informed culture grounded in safety, nonviolence, resilience, and person-first, strengths-based care.

The position requires travel throughout Philadelphia and the ability to support after-hours operations, including occasional nights and weekends. Northern Children’s Services provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and prohibits discrimination on protected grounds.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a mental health discipline or related field.
• Active clinical licensure issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Qualifying licenses include 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 records and healthcare information technology.
• Ability to use data and program dashboards to guide operational and clinical decisions.
• A strong track record of 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.
• Ability to 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.

Responsibilities

• Oversee clinical and administrative operations of the Outpatient Program, ensuring services align with best practices and regulatory standards.
• Monitor electronic health records for documentation quality, accuracy, and timeliness; review and approve clinical work.
• Maintain effective clinical supervision structures matched to staff licensure levels and supervise therapists, program staff, and Master’s-level student interns.
• Promote evidence-based and trauma-informed practices, individualized treatment planning, and outcomes-driven care.
• Support clinicians pursuing licensure and certification in approved evidence-based models.
• Monitor adherence to Northern policies and applicable CBH, OMHSAS, DBHIDS, and DHS-State requirements.
• Communicate performance expectations, address performance concerns, recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate staff, and make human resources recommendations to the Senior Director of Behavioral Health.
• Review program dashboards and monthly quality reports covering census, productivity, access, client outcomes, documentation compliance, and other performance indicators.
• Ensure standardized outcome tools are consistently implemented, maintain data integrity, analyze trends, and make timely corrections when performance declines.
• Use program-management and reporting systems to support real-time management, billing optimization, and program improvement.
• Align staffing with census and program needs; oversee productivity, access, discharge planning, authorizations, documentation, and timely billing.
• Monitor the program budget, maintain operating margin within budget guidelines, and allocate resources responsibly.
• Implement and document disciplinary actions, corrective actions, and performance improvement plans in coordination with Human Resources.
• Maintain program census and respond to changes in utilization, referrals, access, funding, regulation, and authorizations.
• Partner with the Senior Director of Behavioral Health and Finance to monitor margins and revenue performance.
• Communicate promptly, honestly, clearly, and respectfully; provide proactive updates, follow through on commitments, and address workplace concerns and conflicts.
• Collaborate with Program Quality on compliance, audits, Plans of Correction, staff training, supervision, and documentation monitoring.
• Encourage constructive feedback, creative problem-solving, and improvement ideas; evaluate proposals using data and potential impact and foster psychological safety.
• Coordinate with Residential Programs on assessments and clinical support for residents, and collaborate with IBHS to support continuity of care and transitions.
• Coordinate shared cases and medication management with Northern’s part-time psychiatrist, including regular clinical consultation meetings.
• Coordinate with other Northern services, departments, and outside agencies; participate in committees and working groups as assigned.
• Collaborate with Development and other departments on fund development, grant opportunities, 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.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program providing confidential referral and counseling services for employees and their families, including support with stress management, legal and financial concerns, depression, and substance abuse.
• Paid time off or sick leave.
• Accrual of one hour of sick time for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours per calendar year; accrued leave can be used after 90 days of employment and unused sick leave rolls over without limit. Sick leave usage is limited to 40 hours per year.

What This Job Offers

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