Program Director, CSS

The Dimock Center; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dimock Center seeks a Program Director for Clinical Stabilization Services (CSS) to lead the BSAS-licensed program, ensuring trauma-informed, recovery-oriented care and regulatory compliance. Reporting to the Chief Behavioral Health Officer, you will oversee multidisciplinary teams and drive program growth while maintaining financial stewardship and high-quality outcomes.

This role oversees operations of a short-term residential treatment environment, guiding strategic priorities, safety,

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Social Work, Public Health, or related field.
• Minimum of 1 year healthcare setting experience.
• At least 2 years of supervisory or administrative experience in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and management of the CSS program.
• Direct supervision of supervisors and frontline staff.
• Develop strategic goals aligned with organizational priorities.
• Ensure compliant operations with BSAS and state requirements.
• Monitor quality metrics, patient outcomes, and performance.
• Foster recovery-oriented, culturally responsive care.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Trauma-informed care

Staff development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration

Job description

Program Director, Clinical Stabilization Services (CSS)

Position Summary

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 Duties And Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Administration

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and management of the CSS program and associated services.
• Provide direct supervision of the Behavioral Health Specialist supervisor, behavioral health specialist 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.
• Ability to meet assigned deadlines in an evolving, fast-paced environment.

Clinical and Regulatory Oversight

• 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.

Staff Leadership and Development

• 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.
• Foster an environment of teamwork, collaboration, professional boundaries, and ethical practice.
• Address performance concerns coaching, corrective action, and performance improvement plans when necessary.

Patient Care and Recovery Environment

• 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.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• 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.

Financial and Operational Management

• 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.

On-Call And Emergency Responsibilities

• 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.

Required Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

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

Education And Experience

Required

• Master’s degree in business administration, Social Work, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
• Experience with addiction treatment and trauma focused treatment are strongly preferred.
• Requires a minimum of one year of experience working in a healthcare setting.
• Must have at least two years of supervisory or administrative experience in a fast-paced, clinically challenging and rewarding environment.

Preferred

• 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.
• The ideal candidate will be a clinical, "hands on" leader who

enjoys developing their team.

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 Requirements

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

Equal Employment Opportunity 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.