Director of Clinical Services

American University; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

American University, a student-centered research institution in Washington, DC, seeks a Director of Clinical Services to lead the Center for Well-Being. You will supervise staff clinicians, oversee clinical services, and guide records and crisis response across a 12-person team.

The role emphasizes program vision, policy development, and collaboration with university leadership. This full-time, hybrid position offers a salary of $110,000–$115,000 and benefits.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a mental health related field; license-eligible in DC within six months of hire.
• 3–5 years of relevant clinical experience.
• Licensed mental health professional in the U.S. as an independent practitioner.
• Experience supervising staff clinicians and clinical trainees.

Responsibilities

• Direct clinical services and supervision of 12+ clinicians and trainees; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Lead clinical operations, records, and front desk coordination; manage crisis response protocols.
• Oversee staff hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance evaluation.
• Deliver direct clinical services including intake, psychotherapy, and crisis intervention.
• Coordinate outreach and participate in university programs and committees.

Skills

Clinical supervision

Staff management

Crisis intervention

Policy development

Education

Master’s degree in mental health field

PhD or equivalent (preferred)

Tools

ProtoCall Services

Doxy.me

Konvergent

Job description

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University Department: Center for Well-Being and Psychological Services Time Type: Full time Job Type: Regular FLSA Status: Exempt Work Modality: Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Job Description: Summary

The Director of Clinical Services shares responsibility with the Executive Director for the leadership of the clinical team at the Center for Well-Being with an emphasis on the management of staff clinicians, clinical services, and records. The Director of Clinical Services assists in creating and implementing the mental health service delivery vision and achieving the Center’s goals in the provision of mental health services, providing clinical supervision to senior staff and trainees, overseeing clinical aspects of front desk and reception functions, coordinating daily clinical operations, and serving in full capacity as a member of the Center staff, providing clinical, outreach, and consultation services. The Director of Clinical Services manages the daily operations of the Center and serves as an external administrator in the absence of the Executive Director in the matter of mental health issues, including acute emergencies that may have life or death implications. The Director of Clinical Services reports directly to the Executive Director of the Center along with the Associate Director of Training, Director of Well-Being Programs and Outreach, and the Operations Administrator. Reporting to this position are 12 full-time clinicians, in addition to providing clinical supervision to trainees, and hiring and managing clinicians, including contract clinicians.

Essential Functions

• 1.) Clinician Systems Administration and Management

  Organize and direct clinical service functions of the Center and exercise functional responsibility for day-to-day internal operations of the Center involving the provision of clinical services.

  Provide oversight, in collaboration with Operations Coordinator, of front desk/reception operations pertaining to clinical services.

  Assist with creation of, and monitor compliance with, policies and procedures for the provision of clinical services.

  Evaluate and report on the impact of Center’s services, including both the effectiveness of clinical services and clients’ responses to Center services and procedures.

  Assist in defining and monitoring expectations for clinical service loads for clinical staff members.

  Provide leadership in planning, executing, documenting, and staff training regarding crisis response and student safety.

  Prepare and update Center’s Policies and Procedures Manual and generate periodic reports.

  Oversee equitable assignment of After-Hours Emergency On-Call schedule and appropriate clinical coverage during academic breaks.

  Assist in the coordination and the utilization of third-party vendors, service providers, and integrated clinical software, records, and databases (e.g., ProtoCall Services, Doxy.me, and Konvergent).

  Serve as a member of the Center’s Leadership Team.

  Act as the Executive Director’s designee for administrative, clinical, crisis response, and university tasks when the Executive Director is not available.

• 2.) Personnel Management

  Responsible for hiring, onboarding, training, and managing clinical staff on an ongoing basis. This includes providing regular feedback, coaching, mentoring, and evaluating performance.

  Coordinate on-campus/hybrid schedules to ensure sufficient Center coverage and student on-site access to services.

  Also, identify and encourage participation in professional development opportunities.

• 3.) Clinical Training

  Provide direct clinical supervision to the Center’s trainees and unlicensed clinicians as needed to ensure that accreditation and regulatory standards for supervision are met.

• 4.) Direct Service Delivery

  Deliver direct clinical services in the form of intake/assessment, psychotherapy, consultation, crisis intervention, and complaint resolution.

• 5.) Other Duties as Assigned

  Provide outreach presentations to student groups, classrooms, faculty/staff and others as requested.

  Support major division and university-wide programs, including but not limited to, Commencement, Family Weekend, Summer Send-Offs, Move-In, New Student Orientation, Family and Supporters Orientation, Student Achievement Awards, and Eagles at Night.

  As a member of the Division of Student Affairs, this position may advise recognized student organizations as needed.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position also works closely with the Associate Director of Training to provide supervision and oversight of the Center’s accredited training program, which includes a post-MSW Fellow, postdoctoral fellow, three pre-doctoral clinical interns and approximately 10 - 20 graduate clinical trainees. The Center is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services and hosts a pre-doctoral internship program accredited by the American Psychological Association. The position also participates in university-based committees, teams, and working groups, as well as in professional activities outside the university. This position works closely with the Director of Well-Being Programs and Outreach to support Advocacy Specialists and related interns and student workers.

Competencies

• Championing Customer Needs.
• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.
• Developing Plans.
• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.
• Building and Supporting Teams.
• Managing Talent.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Full-time.

35 hours per week.

Salary Range

$110,000.00 - $115,000.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience

• Master's degree. MA or MS in mental health related field (for example, mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, clinical social work).
• 3 - 5 years of relevant experience.
• This position requires a mental health professional with an independent clinical license and to be license-eligible in the District of Columbia within six months of hire.
• Six or more years of clinical experience with adolescents and young adults required with demonstrated ability to interact with diverse college age populations including international, multicultural, LGBTQ+ and individuals with disabilities.
• Must have sophisticated understanding of human development and psychotherapy theory, diagnoses and treatment planning, experience in assessing and intervening with severe or potentially life-threatening psychological conditions, and experience providing interventions to promote healthy emotional growth as well as the amelioration of emotional concerns.
• Prior experience providing clinical supervision to staff clinicians and/or clinical trainees required.
• This position also requires a demonstrated understanding of large clinical service delivery systems and strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• This position requires a mental health professional who has been licensed to practice in the U.S. as an independent mental health practitioner for a minimum of three years. Such a license may be an LMFT, LPC, LICSW, psychologist or equivalent in accordance with DC Mental Health Law.

Preferred Education and Experience

• PhD or equivalent.
• PhD or PsyD in Clinical or Counseling Psychology.
• 4 - 6 years of relevant experience.
• Prior experience in university counseling context to include supervision of clinical trainees and staff is highly preferred.
• Experience in working from an integrative theoretical framework preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in agency change management is preferred.
• Knowledge and relevant experience of insurance administration, database management, program evaluation, and clinical services coordination preferred.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits AU offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check. Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university. Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. American University is an E-Verify employer. Contact Us For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [e-mail]. American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities. American University is a student centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.