Program Director (Mental Health Services)

Vinfen • Lawrence, MA

2d • $38 - $38

About The Position

The ACCS GLE/SIE Program Director oversees the operation of a Group Living Environment or Supported Independent Environment residential site and promotes the full integration and functioning of persons served so they can live successfully in the community. The role supervises residential staff and manages staffing, licensing, quality, and implementation of Treatment Plan support interventions under the direction of the Team LPHA Clinician. It also facilitates successful, timely transitions into and out of residential settings. A primary work location will be assigned, though coverage at other sites may be needed to support operational, scheduling, and staffing needs.

The director manages site operations, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, admissions and discharges, budgets and resources, medication administration procedures, safety and maintenance, human rights practices, incident reporting, documentation, and performance measures. The role supports person-centered, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, culturally competent services and evidence-based practices, and collaborates with clinical teams, housing coordinators, care coordination entities, service providers, residents, and families. The position hires, orients, supervises, evaluates, and develops residential staff; manages relief and overtime resources; and provides on-call coverage as assigned.

Vinfen is a nonprofit health and human services organization established in 1977. It provides community-based services in Massachusetts and Connecticut through more than 550 sites and has 3,500 employees. The position requires driving to support persons served, using either a Vinfen van or a personal vehicle. CPR and First Aid are required within the first two weeks of hire, and MAP certification is required within 150 days of hire.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent; in some cases, experience may substitute for academic training.
• At least one year of experience in progressively responsible human services functions.
• Experience working with people with psychiatric disabilities and/or co-occurring disorders.
• Access to an operational, insured vehicle and willingness to use it to transport persons served.
• Valid driver's license presented at employment; at least 21 years of age; a valid U.S. driver's license held for at least six months; and ability to pass a driver's screening background check.
• If using a personal vehicle, maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record, subject to annual checks.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb, sit, reach, maneuver through narrow spaces, and remain stationary for up to 50% of the time as needed.
• Ability to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or a two-person lift, and to assist persons served with activities of daily living.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment, including a calculator, copier, and printer.
• Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with persons served, staff, and external representatives.
• Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• CPR certification required within the first two weeks of hire.
• First Aid certification required within the first two weeks of hire.
• MAP certification required within 150 days of hire.
• Strong commitment to the rights and ability of persons served to live, work, maintain meaningful relationships, and access treatment, resources, and supports in their communities.
• Skill in helping people integrate into the community through natural supports and basic community resources.
• Knowledge of program management, person-served engagement, operational management, and administrative systems and procedures.
• Ability to form supportive, trusting relationships with persons served and families, and sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues.
• Knowledge of the human, legal, and civil rights of persons served; the effects of prejudice, discrimination, and oppression; and the effects of poverty.
• Knowledge of different communication and learning styles, housing assessment practices, recovery-oriented and person-centered principles, and trauma-informed and culturally competent services.
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions and work professionally and confidentially.
• Ability to adhere to standards of Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, SBIRT, Housing First, Stages of Change, and Cognitive Behavioral interventions.
• Competence in following and supporting Treatment Plan interventions and training residential staff to implement non-clinical aspects of Treatment Plans.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with team members to address persons served’ needs.
• Knowledge of data-driven decision-making and ability to encourage the use of data analysis.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment, and documentation standards and requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner credential.
• Management experience.
• Bilingual/bicultural background.
• Lived experience of psychiatric conditions.

Responsibilities

• Promote engagement, housing permanency, community tenure, self-sufficiency, and successful completion of residential tenure for persons served.
• Manage residential site systems and procedures, including regulatory requirements, quality improvement, intakes, and discharges.
• Collaborate with the Team Housing Coordinator to facilitate timely transitions to and from the residential site.
• Foster a welcoming and respectful environment for residents’ family, friends, and other important people.
• Promote teamwork between the clinical team and residential staff to provide Treatment Plan interventions in and outside the residence.
• Ensure, at the LPHA Clinician’s direction, that non-clinical Treatment Plan interventions are completed.
• Implement residents’ Safety Plans and Crisis Prevention and Response Plans.
• Assist the LPHA Clinician with the quality and timeliness of residential staff documentation and adherence to Medicaid Rehab Option standards.
• Monitor staff use of evidence-based practices and request additional training when needed.
• Support evidence-based and best-practice interventions, including Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Housing First, Stages of Change, WRAP, Seeking Safety, and Cognitive Behavioral interventions.
• Manage adherence to DMH licensing requirements and Medication Administration Program policies and procedures.
• Manage site resources, including food stamps, program fees, representative payee accounts, and client funds; monitor expenses and the residence budget; and submit billing information.
• Manage adverse events and incident reporting, and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Oversee the residence’s Human Rights policies and procedures.
• Ensure the residence is maintained, repaired, and safe, and maintain good relationships with neighbors.
• Maintain working alliances with other providers serving residents, including Care Coordination entities.
• Hire, orient, supervise, and evaluate residential staff; provide performance feedback and conduct corrective action procedures when needed.
• Manage relief and overtime resources.
• Implement staff retention, recognition, and awards initiatives; provide career development guidance and communicate promotion opportunities.
• Ensure required residential Performance Measures are maintained.
• Support staff training and practice in trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered, culturally competent, and strengths-based approaches and skills training.
• Document persons served’ needs and services thoroughly and thoughtfully.
• Promote access to healthcare, employment, and education services for persons served.
• Participate in the regional GLE/SIE Program Director Community of Practice Workgroup for professional development, mentoring, and learning.
• Provide on-call coverage as assigned and perform other related duties.

Benefits

• Fully funded 401(a) employer-sponsored retirement plan with no employee contribution required.
• Employee-funded 403(b) plan.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans for eligible employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week, with an employer contribution toward medical insurance.
• Employer-paid life, accidental death and dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance.
• Employer-paid short-term disability insurance for qualifying employees.
• Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts for health and dependent care.
• Voluntary term life, whole life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Paid time off for employees scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED