Program Director I, II, III

Behavioral Health Services; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Behavioral Health Services in Los Angeles is seeking a Program Director I to provide operational, clinical, and administrative leadership for designated programs. You will ensure high-quality, compliant service delivery, support supervision staff, and align activities with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.

The role requires directing program operations, budgeting, data-driven performance oversight, and collaboration with medical and social services to optimize client outcomes and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field; certified by a state-recognized substance use counselor certification body; supervisory/leadership experience preferred.
• Knowledge of County, Federal and State program standards; accreditation and certification experience; substance use, mental health, recovery knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Provides operational, clinical, and administrative leadership for assigned program(s).
• Manages operations, staff orientation, training, and budget oversight.
• Ensures compliant, high-quality service delivery and maintains documentation and progress notes.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Certified by a state-recognized substance use counselor certification body

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

EMR system

Job description

Level: Management

Job Location: Los Angeles, CA 90059

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $6,194.93 - $10,306.75 Salary/month

Job Shift: Day

Under the direction of the Divisional Director, the Program Director I (PDI) provides operational, clinical, and administrative leadership for assigned program(s). The PDI is responsible for ensuring high-quality, compliant, and effective service delivery; supporting supervisors and staff; and maintaining alignment with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and evidence-based practices.

Major Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs or delegates the responsibilities in this job description as appropriate.
• Manages all operations of the program and delegates tasks accordingly to qualified staff, and as directed by senior leadership including orientation of new staff and ongoing training of all staff.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on special projects as assigned.
• Assures that documentation/deliverables are timely and meet contract, grant, funding source, licensing, certification and other required standards. Reviews client files for accurate and timely documentation as well as appropriate application of program services to meet client needs.
• Runs system reports including in client EMR system, employee record system, training system, etc. to maintain oversight into compliance and performance metrics. Utilizes data to guide program operations and objectives.
• Delegates or schedules/conducts program team meetings, including regular case conferences, all-staff meetings, safety meetings, etc.
• Assists in the preparation of program budget. Operates program within budget and leads quality improvement, program correction, census building, staff oversight, and/or other measures to support program budget.
• Participates in public relations, networking, and/or community partnership activities, including community education, referral sources and resources, cooperative relationships with other service providers as appropriate based on the needs of the program and/or clients served.
• Attends meetings and participates in committees as assigned.
• May be responsible for minimum caseload including group and individual services.
• Conduct comprehensive substance use screening, care planning, and treatment activities.
• Assists in maintaining BHS visibility in the community, including attending appropriate meetings and functions.
• Provides leadership and serves as a positive role model to staff and clients.
• Provides input into the development and maintenance of and/or determines protocol, schedules, policies, and procedures.
• Facilitates human resources actions such as hire, discharge, warning and disciplinary actions. Take part in and documents any actions taken. Prepares performance evaluations.
• Ensures proper and economical use of staff, equipment, supplies, and facilities, including monitoring, reviewing, and approving timecards.
• Ensures that the assigned facility area of responsibility is maintained in a good and safe state of repair.
• Possess and ensure assigned employees hold knowledge of and comply with expectations for evidence-based practices, medications for addiction treatment, co-occurring disorders, community resources, self-help support, and treatment philosophies, within scopes of practice.
• Coordinate with medical providers, social services, and other community resources.
• Monitor client progress and maintain accurate and timely treatment records and progress notes (e.g., daily activities, service entries, intake and discharge documentation, etc.).
• May perform toxicology testing, take and record vitals as needed, chart relevant information.
• For PDIs assigned to residential programs, may make rounds every 30 minutes for 72 hours on withdrawal management clients, document and record withdrawal symptoms.
• For PDIs assigned to residential programs, may observe and document client self- administration of medications.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, including but not limited to DMH, DHCS, SAPC, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, CARF, etc., and serve as point person for designated program during regulatory body site inspections, audits, chart reviews, etc.
• May assist clients with benefits, housing, vocational, and community reintegration needs.
• Direct response to behavioral crises, medical emergencies, suicidal ideation, overdose including administration of anti-overdose medications as needed, or acute intoxication safely, within scope of practice.
• May occasionally provide transportation for clients including to DPSS and other linkages.
• Ensure changes observed in client condition or behavior, including unusual incidents, are recorded/reported. Oversee the management of emergencies.
• Assign safety manager to manage safety programming to promote client and staff safety. Maintain health and safety standards of facility.
• Attend and/or facilitate supervision, clinical meetings, and/or continuing education to maintain credentials.
• Facilitate and/or delegate facilitation in treatment team meetings, case conferences, and program planning. Contribute to agency quality assurance and improvement initiatives.
• Present information/facilitate trainings within BHS and in the community as needed.
• Monitor and maintain volunteer programs, internship programs, alumni and/or recovery service programs, client advisory council programs, etc. as relevant within assigned program.
• Be available on an on-call basis for programmatic and/or organizational urgent and emergent needs.
• Maintain and model professional boundaries and standards. Treat clients with respect, care, and concern. Comply with confidentiality requirements at all times.
• Maintain familiarity with BHS policies and procedures and other applicable regulations; perform job duties accordingly. Represent BHS well in all contacts.
• Courteously answer phones, appropriately directing calls and taking messages. Facilitate client external communication.
• Other duties as assigned.

Program Director Competencies and Performance Expectations

• Ability to complete the above major tasks, duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to demonstrate and model professional judgment and decision-making, including ability to recognize and seek out supervision and/or consultation when required.
• If assigned to the SUD program, the ability to demonstrate advanced knowledge and practice of 12 core competencies for SUD counselors and/or the BBS scope of practice, mandated core education and clinical standards and train to these standards.
• Ability to manage time efficiently without supervision.
• If assigned to DMH program, ability to demonstrate advanced knowledge of DMH P&P, BBS scope of practice, mandated core education and clinical standards and train to these standards.
• Ability to effectively document in required note structures (e.g., SOAP, GIRP, etc.) and train to these standards.
• Ability to evaluate staff competency, review documentation or other staff output, and provide corrective guidance to ensure compliance with treatment standards and payer requirements.
• Ability to administer program to maximize utilization, ensure productivity and operation within budget, and manage personnel to meet program objectives.
• Ability to recognize the symptoms appropriately treat substance use and co-occurring disorders (i.e., mental health, medical health, etc.) and train to these standards.
• Ability to monitor model fidelity for evidence-based practice.
• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to a crisis within scope of practice including but not limited to overdose, behavioral challenges, contraband protocol, emergency codes, etc. and train to these standards.
• Ability to screen and/or assess for acute intoxication and withdrawal symptoms within scope of practice and train to these standards.
• Ability to recognize personal biases within diverse populations, maintain cultural sensitivity at all times, and train to these standards.
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including medical providers, mental health clinicians, case managers, and external partners.
• Ability to effectively communicate expectations, feedback, and program goals to staff in a clear, professional, and supportive manner.
• Ability to adhere to and train to professional standards.

Prerequisite Qualifications - Program Director I

The following are the qualifications required to perform the essential functions of this position. Qualifications may be subject to modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bilingual abilities may be required within certain BHS programs.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and Certified by a state-recognized substance use counselor certification body, with at least 2 years of supervisory/leadership experience preferred. AA degree and certified by a state-recognized substance use counselor certification body, plus 4 years of supervisory/leadership experience permitted.
• Knowledge of County, Federal and State program standards. Experience with accreditation and certification. Advanced knowledge of substance use, mental health, recovery, and family systems required.
• Must have valid California driver’s license and liability insurance when driving a personal vehicle on BHS business.
• Obtain NPI number, EMR system enrollment within 30 days of employment.
• Ability to operate required computer programs for position, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, electronic timekeeping system, electronic learning management system, upon hire.
• Able to stand, stoop, bend, squat and reach for purpose of performing job duties such as handling materials stocked on shelves, filing, lifting and assisting in emergency situations. Routinely lift and move items weighing up to ten pounds and occasionally up to twenty-five pounds; is expected to ask for assistance and use a dolly or cart for any heavy items. Vision, hearing, manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination must be adequate for performance of job duties. Able to sit at desk, use keyboard, write and physically perform other job duties. Able to move about the facility to observe clients and staff.

Prerequisite Qualifications - Program Director II

The following are the qualifications required to perform the essential functions of this position. Qualifications may be subject to modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bilingual abilities may be required within certain BHS programs.

• Master’s Degree with BBS registration in MFT, MSW, or PCC, with at least 2 years of supervisory/leadership experience preferred. Master’s or bachelor's degree in related field and Certified by a state-recognized substance use counselor certification body, with at least 4 years of supervisory/leadership experience permitted.
• Knowledge of County, Federal and State program standards. Experience with accreditation and certification. Advanced knowledge of substance use, mental health, recovery, and family systems required.
• Must have valid California driver’s license and liability insurance when driving a personal vehicle on BHS business.
• Obtain NPI number, EMR system enrollment within 30 days of employment.
• Ability to operate required computer programs for position, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, electronic timekeeping system, electronic learning management system, upon hire.
• Able to stand, stoop, bend, squat and reach for purpose of performing job duties such as handling materials stocked on shelves, filing, lifting and assisting in emergency situations. Routinely lift and move items weighing up to ten pounds and occasionally up to twenty-five pounds; is expected to ask for assistance and use a dolly or cart for any heavy items. Vision, hearing, manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination must be adequate for performance of job duties. Able to sit at desk, use keyboard, write and physically perform other job duties. Able to move about the facility to observe clients and staff.

Prerequisite Qualifications - Program Director III

The following are the qualifications required to perform the essential functions of this position. Qualifications may be subject to modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bilingual abilities may be required within certain BHS programs.

• Master’s Degree with BBS license in MFT, MSW, or PCC, with at least 4 years of supervisory/leadership experience required.
• Knowledge of County, Federal and State program standards. Experience with accreditation and certification. Advanced knowledge of substance use, mental health, recovery, and family systems required.
• Must have valid California driver’s license and liability insurance when driving a personal vehicle on BHS business.
• Obtain NPI number, EMR system enrollment within 30 days of employment.
• Ability to operate required computer programs for position, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, electronic timekeeping system, electronic learning management system, upon hire.
• Able to stand, stoop, bend, squat and reach for purpose of performing job duties such as handling materials stocked on shelves, filing, lifting and assisting in emergency situations. Routinely lift and move items weighing up to ten pounds and occasionally up to twenty-five pounds; is expected to ask for assistance and use a dolly or cart for any heavy items. Vision, hearing, manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination must be adequate for performance of job duties. Able to sit at desk, use keyboard, write and physically perform other job duties. Able to move about the facility to observe clients and staff.