Program Director - Behavioral Health Operations

ELITE HEALTH CARE INC.; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Elite Healthcare, Inc. is seeking a Program Director to oversee behavioral health operations (OMHC, SUD, PRP) in Baltimore. The role demands strong leadership to manage daily clinic activities, staff supervision, regulatory compliance, and growth initiatives across multiple service lines.

The candidate will report to executive leadership and must drive performance, efficiency, and patient access while maintaining high standards of care and documentation in a complex regulatory environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of behavioral health, human services, or healthcare operations experience.
• Leadership or supervisory experience in outpatient behavioral health settings.
• Working knowledge of Maryland behavioral health regulatory requirements.
• Experience supervising staff, improving operational processes, and managing performance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day clinic operations across OMHC, SUD, and PRP programs.
• Direct administrative staff, program managers, intake coordinators, and other personnel.
• Ensure staffing, scheduling, patient access, and uninterrupted service delivery.
• Develop and enforce policies, procedures, and staff accountability standards.
• Monitor regulatory compliance and quality improvement across programs.

Skills

Operational leadership

Regulatory compliance

Staff supervision

Process improvement

Communication

Problem solving

Independent work

Education

CAC-AD

LCADC

LCPC

LCSW-C

Maryland credentials

Tools

EHR systems

Billing software

Job description

Now Hiring: Program Director – Behavioral Health Operations

OMHC | Substance Use Disorder (SUD) | Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP)

Elite Healthcare, Inc.

Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Position: Part Time or Full-Time, Onsite
Compensation: Competitive, based on experience and qualifications

About the Position

Elite Healthcare is seeking an experienced, motivated, and results‑driven Program Director to assume full responsibility for the organization's daily operations.

Our organization provides behavioral health services, including outpatient mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and psychiatric rehabilitation.

We are looking for a strong operational leader who can independently manage clinic activities, supervise personnel, ensure regulatory compliance, strengthen service delivery, and lead efforts to grow the organization.

The Program Director will report to executive leadership but will be expected to manage routine operations independently.

Key Responsibilities

Clinic Operations and Leadership

• Assume primary responsibility for day-to-day clinic operations across OMHC, SUD, and PRP programs.
• Direct administrative personnel, program managers, intake coordinators, and other assigned staff.
• Ensure adequate staffing, scheduling, patient access, and uninterrupted service delivery.
• Develop and enforce operational policies, procedures, and staff accountability standards.
• Resolve routine staffing, patient service, and operational challenges without requiring daily executive intervention.

Compliance and Quality Management

• Maintain compliance with applicable Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration, COMAR, Medicaid, and payer requirements.
• Coordinate with appropriately credentialed clinical and medical leadership to ensure required clinical supervision and oversight.
• Monitor documentation quality, treatment plan completion, authorizations, and audit readiness.
• Oversee corrective action plans, incident follow‑up, and continuous quality improvement.

Program Growth and Development

• Develop and implement strategies to increase appropriate referrals, admissions, and patient engagement.
• Build and maintain relationships with hospitals, clinics, treatment programs, community organizations, and referral partners.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen and expand existing services.
• Monitor referral conversion, patient census, retention, and program utilization.
• Establish measurable growth goals in collaboration with executive leadership.

Financial and Operational Accountability

• Monitor staff productivity, operational costs, and resource utilization.
• Work closely with billing personnel to reduce avoidable claim denials and documentation-related revenue loss.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement cost‑effective solutions.
• Prepare monthly operational reports covering census, productivity, staffing, compliance, revenue‑cycle issues, and program growth.

Staff Management

• Lead recruitment, onboarding, training, performance evaluations, and disciplinary processes within delegated authority.
• Establish measurable expectations for employees.
• Promote professionalism, teamwork, ethical practices, and patient‑centered care.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum five years of relevant behavioral health, human services, or healthcare operational experience preferred, including at least two years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated ability to manage daily operations in an outpatient behavioral health setting.
• Working knowledge of Maryland behavioral health regulatory requirements.
• Experience supervising staff, improving operational processes, and managing performance.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and take accountability for results.
• Education and credentials sufficient for the regulatory responsibilities assigned to the position.

Professional Credentials

Candidates with the following credentials are encouraged to apply:

• CAC-AD – Certified Associate Counselor–Alcohol and Drug
• LCADC – Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor
• LCPC – Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
• LCSW-C – Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical
• Other applicable Maryland behavioral health credentials or qualifying graduate education

Strongly Preferred

• Previous experience managing Maryland OMHC, SUD, or PRP programs.
• Experience overseeing more than one behavioral health service line.
• Demonstrated success growing patient census and developing referral relationships.
• Familiarity with Medicaid billing, payer authorizations, electronic health records, and quality assurance.
• Experience preparing for regulatory surveys, inspections, or accreditation reviews.

What Success Looks Like

• Maintain organized, compliant, and efficient daily clinic operations.
• Build a dependable team that performs with limited executive intervention.
• Improve staff productivity and documentation compliance.
• Increase appropriate referrals, admissions, and patient engagement.
• Reduce avoidable operational and revenue‑cycle problems.
• Provide executive leadership with accurate performance reports and practical recommendations.

Reporting Structure

The Program Director reports directly to executive leadership and will have delegated authority to manage routine operational decisions, staff accountability, and program performance.

Executive leadership will retain oversight of organizational strategy, major financial commitments, and significant policy decisions.

Elite Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.