Director of Social Services
About The Position
The Director of Social Services provides clinical leadership and oversight of social services at The Healing Place (THP) and assigned crisis services. This independently licensed behavioral health professional is accountable for the quality, timeliness, and regulatory compliance of social services assessments, treatment planning, interventions, discharge coordination, and clinical documentation. The Director supervises the Inpatient Program Manager and ensures appropriate clinical oversight of BHTs and other assigned personnel, in collaboration with the designated facility Clinical Director, medical and nursing leadership, and Operations. Daily workflow coordination remains with the Program Manager, while facility-wide clinical direction remains with the designated Clinical Director. The Director leads clinical quality, performance, and development; provides supervision and practice guidance; oversees clinical documentation and discharge planning; and supports compliance with applicable ADHS, AHCCCS, CMS, and Joint Commission requirements. The role collaborates with interdisciplinary leaders and teams, Quality, Operations, Finance, Admissions, and external partners. It also participates in hiring, onboarding, competency development, performance management, staffing planning, incident reviews, quality initiatives, and policy development.
Requirements
- Be at least 21 years old, or at least 18 and licensed or certified under A.R.S. Title 32 while providing services within scope of practice, or at least 18 for select administrative positions.
- Must be able to provide or obtain an AZDPS Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license, current automobile insurance, and a driving record that meets organizational guidelines and requirements.
- CPI and CPR/First Aid certification required; training is provided by Polara Health.
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field.
- Current, unrestricted independent clinical licensure in Arizona as an LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or equivalent independently licensed Behavioral Health Professional (BHP).
- Minimum of five years of behavioral health clinical experience.
- Minimum of two years of experience providing clinical oversight and consultation, and reviewing and approving behavioral health documentation, including assessments, treatment plans, and other documentation requiring BHP review or signature.
- Demonstrated knowledge of ADHS, AHCCCS, and applicable accreditation standards related to BHT clinical oversight, clinical documentation, assessment, and treatment planning.
- Ability to exercise independent clinical judgment, provide effective clinical guidance, and identify and escalate clinical quality or patient safety concerns.
- Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to manage assigned responsibilities and documentation requirements within established timeframes.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working in inpatient psychiatric, crisis stabilization, residential, or other acute behavioral health settings.
Responsibilities
- Lead the clinical quality, performance, and development of inpatient and crisis social services, consistent with Polara Health priorities.
- Supervise and support the Inpatient Program Manager, setting expectations for staffing coordination, workflow performance, documentation tracking, and escalation of concerns.
- Provide clinical supervision, consultation, and practice guidance to assigned licensed and unlicensed social services personnel, consistent with professional scope and applicable requirements.
- Provide or arrange required BHP oversight of assigned BHTs and BHPPs, including review of clinical work, consultation, and timely completion of required documentation reviews and signatures.
- Oversee the quality and timeliness of behavioral health assessments, treatment/service plans, progress documentation, risk-related clinical documentation, and discharge planning within social services.
- Promptly escalate clinically significant concerns, safety risks, documentation deficiencies, and changes in patient needs to appropriate clinical, medical, and nursing leaders.
- Collaborate with Inpatient and Crisis Leaders and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient-centered treatment and continuity of care.
- Provide clinical direction for the social services contribution to therapeutic groups and programming, partnering with the Program Manager on schedules and coverage.
- Lead social services discharge planning practices, community referrals, outpatient linkage, and coordination with Admissions and external partners.
- Monitor clinical documentation and service quality through routine review, performance data, coaching, and corrective action in partnership with Quality.
- Ensure social services practices support applicable ADHS, AHCCCS, CMS, and Joint Commission requirements, policies, and survey readiness.
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, competency development, performance management, and staffing planning for assigned personnel.
- Collaborate with Operations and Finance on departmental resource needs, efficiency, and improvement opportunities.
- Participate in interdisciplinary leadership meetings, incident reviews, quality initiatives, and development of relevant policies and procedures.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
