Program Director, Clinical Stabilization Services

The Dimock Center; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dimock Center seeks a Program Director for Clinical Stabilization Services to provide strategic, clinical, and operational leadership of BSAS-licensed CSS programs in Boston. You will oversee staff, ensure trauma-informed, recovery-oriented care, and maintain regulatory compliance.

The role partners with clinical directors and leadership to drive quality outcomes and program growth. Ideal candidates hold a relevant master's degree and have experience in addiction treatment, trauma-informed

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Social Work, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of one year of experience in a healthcare setting.
• At least two years of supervisory or administrative experience in a fast-paced, clinically challenging environment.
• Experience with addiction treatment and trauma-focused treatment strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and management of the CSS program and associated services.
• Direct supervision of the Behavioral Health Specialist supervisor, behavioral health specialists and recovery specialists.
• Develop and implement strategic goals aligned with organizational priorities and behavioral health initiatives.
• Ensure effective daily operations of the short-term residential treatment environment, including staffing, scheduling, admissions, discharges, facility management, food and supply oversight, and technology needs.
• Monitor and improve program performance through KPIs, quality metrics, and patient outcomes.
• Foster a culture of recovery, safety, accountability, inclusivity, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on organizational initiatives, program expansion, and innovative clinical interventions.
• Ensure full compliance with BSAS regulations, DPH requirements, accreditation standards, and Dimock Center policies.
• Oversee implementation of evidence-based and trauma-informed treatment practices.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Strategic planning

Communication

Regulatory compliance

Data-driven problem solving

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration

Master's degree in Social Work

Master's degree in Public Health

Master's degree in Healthcare Administration

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Microsoft Office Suite

Reporting systems

Job description

Program Director, Clinical Stabilization Services

Summary/Objective
The Program Director, Clinical Stabilization Services (CSS), is responsible for the strategic, clinical, operational, regulatory, and financial oversight of Dimock's BSAS-licensed Clinical Stabilization Services program. Reporting directly to the Chief Behavioral Health Officer, the Program Director provides leadership to multidisciplinary teams and ensures the delivery of trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered care. The Program Director is accountable for maintaining compliance with all Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) regulations, contractual requirements, accreditation standards, and organizational policies. The Director promotes a safe, therapeutic, and culturally responsive environment while driving quality outcomes, staff engagement, operational excellence, and program growth.

Essential Functions

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and management of the CSS program and associated services.
• Provide direct supervision of the Behavioral Health Specialist supervisor, behavioral health specialists and recovery specialists.
• Develop and implement strategic goals aligned with organizational priorities and behavioral health initiatives.
• Ensure effective daily operations of the short-term residential treatment environment, including staffing, scheduling, admissions, discharges, facility management, food and supply oversight, and technology needs.
• Monitor and improve program performance through key performance indicators, quality metrics, and patient outcomes assigned by the Chief Behavioral Health Officer.
• Foster a culture of recovery, safety, accountability, inclusivity, and continuous improvement.
• Participate in leadership meetings and collaborate with senior leadership on organizational initiatives, including program expansion and innovative clinical interventions.
• Ensure full compliance with BSAS regulations, Massachusetts Department of Public Health requirements, accreditation standards, and The Dimock Center policies.
• Oversee implementation of evidence-based and trauma-informed treatment practices.
• Ensure program expectations, policies, and procedures are consistently followed and upheld by staff.
• Monitor quality assurance activities, incident reporting, corrective action plans, audits, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Maintain readiness for licensing, accreditation, and regulatory site visits.
• Work closely with clinical directors, medical directors, supervisors, and multidisciplinary teams across the Behavioral Health and Addiction Medicine division to maintain high standards of clinical care.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate program management and frontline staff.
• Provide direct supervision to program operational supervisors and other designated leadership staff.
• Uphold performance expectations and hold staff accountable for program structure, professionalism, clinical standards, patient engagement, and job responsibilities.
• Address performance concerns through coaching, corrective action, and performance improvement plans when necessary.
• Ensure a safe, respectful, and recovery-focused environment for all individuals receiving services.
• Support programming that promotes physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness.
• Ensure culturally responsive care that recognizes individual and cultural differences influencing behavior, recovery, and treatment engagement.
• Monitor patient satisfaction and implement improvements based on feedback.
• Promote patient engagement through community meetings, recovery activities, and peer-informed approaches.
• Collaborate with nursing, medical providers, clinicians, case managers, recovery coaches, and community partners to coordinate care and improve outcomes.
• Develop and maintain external partnerships with referral sources, community providers, and state agencies.
• Facilitate problem solving during complex and high-stress situations while maintaining focus on safety and recovery.
• Participate in organizational committees and quality improvement activities.
• Monitor census, staffing patterns, productivity, and revenue cycle performance, including utilization management.
• Identify opportunities for program growth, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
• Oversee emergency preparedness, safety planning, and risk management activities.
• Participate in leadership on-call coverage as assigned.
• Provide guidance and support during clinical, operational, or safety-related emergencies.
• Ensure timely response to incidents and implementation of corrective actions when necessary.

Competencies

• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills.
• Ability to effectively assess complex situations and make sound operational and clinical decisions.
• Demonstrates appropriate self-awareness, business ownership, and willingness to learn.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Maintains a professional appearance and grace under pressure.
• Commitment to culturally responsive services.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional ethics, and appropriate boundaries.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and data-driven problem-solving abilities.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in fast-paced healthcare environments.

Knowledge/Skills

• Strong knowledge of substance use disorder treatment, mental illness stabilization, recovery principles, and trauma-informed care.
• Proficiency with electronic health records, Microsoft Office Suite, and reporting systems.

Work Environment
This position is essential and operates onsite, primarily in a clinical and residential treatment environment and requires regular interaction with patients, families, staff, community providers, and regulatory agencies.

Physical Demands
Must be able to sit, stand, walk, communicate effectively, and perform the physical requirements necessary to oversee residential treatment operations.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Social Work, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of one year of experience working in a healthcare setting required.
• At least two years of supervisory or administrative experience in a fast-paced, clinically challenging environment required.
• Experience with addiction treatment and trauma-focused treatment strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing BSAS-licensed residential or acute treatment programs.
• Experience with accreditation and regulatory compliance processes.
• Experience with trauma-focused treatment and recovery-oriented systems of care.
• Ideal candidate is a clinical, "hands on" leader who enjoys developing their team.

EEO Statement
The Dimock Center values diversity and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, ethnicity, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.