Director of Outpatient Services

Summit BHC•Saint Joseph, MO

About The Position

The Director of Outpatient Services manages and oversees the outpatient department’s day-to-day operations and is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating clinical care systems and client health outcomes. The position directly supervises clinical staff and provides indirect guidance to other staff regarding clinical programming and treatment expectations to support safe, effective therapeutic practices. The director leads outpatient counseling and social work programs, including psychosocial assessments, group sessions, family therapy, and the development, implementation, and review of treatment plans. The role also oversees outpatient clinical programs, multidisciplinary treatment processes, discharge planning, and community resource referrals. The director develops and evaluates evidence-based programming, ensures services and documentation meet regulatory requirements and standards of care, and provides clinical consultation and oversight of case planning and care coordination. The role leads staffing and department operations, supports staff education and performance, monitors caseloads and documentation, and oversees budgets and costs. The director also serves as the outpatient Chief Health Care Disparity Officer, coordinating efforts to identify and reduce disparities with the facility’s QAPI committee and under the oversight of the MEC and Governing Board. Duties may include coverage for other programs, developing new programs, training, case consultation, Administrator on Call coverage, leadership rounds, and maintaining community and market awareness.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited school in a clinical, psychology, or social-service-related field.
At least three years of experience in substance use disorder treatment, or in treating individuals with co-occurring substance use and psychiatric disorders, unless otherwise specified by state requirements.
At least two years of supervisory or management experience; preferably in social or clinical services.
State-issued licensure.
CPR certification and de-escalation training; training is available upon hire and offered by the facility.
Skills in therapy and assessment.
Considerable knowledge of social work principles and practice, social health and welfare programs, laws governing eligibility for those programs, and regulatory standards.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of experience in settings providing PHP, IOP, or OP services for individuals with substance use disorders or co-occurring substance use and psychiatric disorders.
Licensure allowing independent practice and supervision of other entry-level clinicians.
Supervisory clinical licensure or eligibility to obtain supervisor licensure within 90 days of hire.

Responsibilities

Manage and oversee the day-to-day operations of the outpatient department.
Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based clinical programming and program schedules.
Review the progress, quality, and effectiveness of outpatient clinical programs and develop or revise programs as needed.
Ensure outpatient programming, staffing, operations, and documentation comply with regulatory requirements and standards of care.
Provide direct supervision to clinical staff and guidance to other staff on clinical programming and treatment expectations.
Lead hiring, orientation, performance assessment, staff management, training, scheduling, coaching, and motivation.
Maintain staffing productivity, manage schedules, and keep a contingency staffing plan current.
Identify staff education needs, arrange education programs, and hold staff accountable for compliance, safety, attendance, conduct, and performance.
Provide clinical consultation and oversee case planning and care coordination.
Ensure clinical staff conduct and document group, individual, family, and collateral contacts in medical records.
Monitor discharge planning and after-care arrangements to ensure they are appropriate.
Review and audit charts for documentation quality and completeness and review caseloads for appropriate service utilization.
Direct program operations, including independent decisions requiring clinical expertise.
Coordinate with marketing on community relations and referral development.
Develop and execute new programs according to market needs and help promote a positive, professional image.
Provide onsite coverage for other programs, training, case consultation, and Administrator on Call coverage when needed.
Perform assigned leadership rounds, identifying environment-of-care, safety, and infection-control concerns and providing real-time education on facility processes.
Maintain awareness of community and market activities, other providers, local payor needs, and the political climate related to mental health.
Maintain a limited caseload as needed and schedule and facilitate regular treatment team meetings.
Provide individual and group supervision to clinicians.
Plan, direct, control, implement, evaluate, monitor, and forecast budgets and costs; monitor performance improvement and risk.
Communicate new directives, policies, and procedures to managers and staff.