Program Manager – Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Services

Goodsamhospital; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodsamhospital seeks a Program Manager to provide operational leadership for behavioral health and substance use services, including medical detoxification programs and county/manage care contracts. This role ensures psychosocial treatment development, care coordination, QA activities, and regulatory compliance, in partnership with nursing leadership.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in a related field, a current BLS, and at least five years' BH/SUD experience; a Master's degree and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a behavioral health or related field is required.
• Master's degree is preferred.
• Current BLS certification is required.
• Licenses such as LCSW/LMFT/LPCC, RN with BH experience, LAADC, CADC or CATC are preferred.
• Minimum five years of progressive behavioral health and/or SUD experience including medical detox and acute psychiatric services.
• Experience with regulatory compliance and quality improvement initiatives.
• Experience supervising staff and managing programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for behavioral health and SUD services, including detox programs and contracts.
• Develop, implement, coordinate, and evaluate psychosocial treatments and care coordination processes.
• Collaborate with nursing leadership to ensure trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered care.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state regulations and contractual requirements.
• Lead quality improvement activities and ensure regulatory standards are met.

Skills

Staff supervision

Regulatory compliance

Quality improvement

Care coordination

Program management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Under the direction of the Chief Nursing Officer, and functioning at the same organizational level as the Nurse Manager, the Program Manager provides operational leadership for behavioral health and substance use disorder services, including Medical Detoxification programs and associated county and managed care contracts. The Program Manager works in conjunction with the Nurse Manager to ensure that the department meets the performance requirements and functions accordingly. The Program Manager is responsible for the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of psychosocial treatment services, therapeutic programming, care coordination processes, quality improvement activities, and regulatory compliance. The Program Manager collaborates closely with nursing leadership to ensure the delivery of safe, evidence-based, trauma‑informed, recovery‑oriented, and person‑centered care.

The Program Manager ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, accreditation, and contractual requirements, including CMS Conditions of Participation, California Title 22 and Title 9 regulations, DHCS and Medi‑Cal requirements, CalAIM initiatives, CARF, Joint Commission standards, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services contractual requirements.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in behavioral health, nursing, healthcare administration, public health, social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field required.

Master's degree preferred.

License and Certification

Current BLS certification required.

One or more of the following licenses or certifications is preferred:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
• Licensed Psychologist
• Registered Nurse with behavioral health experience
• Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC)
• CADC-II or CADC-III
• Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (CATC)

Experience

Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible behavioral health and/or substance use disorder experience, including:

• Acute psychiatric services
• Medical detoxification services
• Regulatory compliance
• Quality improvement activities
• Staff supervision

Preferred

• Three (3) years of management experience.
• Experience with Medi‑Cal and CalAIM programs.
• Experience with county behavioral health contracts.
• Knowledge of ASAM Criteria.
• Joint Commission survey experience.
• CARF standards and accreditation experience.