Director of Clinical Programs

Director of Clinical Programs

REPORTS TO: Senior Director, Los Angeles East

HOURS: 40 Full-Time

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

SUMMARY: The Director of Clinical Programs is responsible for the oversight and clinical support of Step Up’s Full-Service Partnership (FSP), Outpatient Care Services (OCS), and Housing Supportive Services Programs (HSSP), which provide Medi-Cal funded Mental Health Field and Project Based services. The FSP, OCS, and HSSP Programs aim to house adults experiencing chronic homelessness and serious mental health issues and sustain them successfully in housing. Services include comprehensive mental health services, targeted case management, medication management, and crisis intervention in a field and office based setting. The program provides 24/7 on call coverage to clients and family members to provide the highest quality of life in the least restrictive community setting possible.

DUTIES: The following reflects essential functions for this job but does not restrict other tasks, which may be assigned:

Leadership, Administration, Oversight

· Oversee DMH Contract to ensure program outcomes are met and revenue requirements are fulfilled.

· Direct day to day clinical operations and client services in coordination with the Program Managers (or “equivalent”). Coordinate day and on call schedule and coverage.

· Manage FSP, OCS, and HSSP budget and Client Supportive Services funding with support of Executive Team.

· Signature Authority for direct reports, timesheets, mileage, check requests and performance evals.

· Support Step Up’s Lexington Office operations as needed in the absence of Senior Director, VP or other Program Managers.

Direct Service and Support

· Take a lead role in staff hiring and onboarding process. Ensure team members have proper training and understand their job and role on the team.

· In coordination with the Program Managers, communicate with County DMH and community referrals, coordinate client outreach and admission process.

· As Licensed Head of Service Record for the DMH Program, provide clinical direction and guidance to team members on the progress of all cases.

· Assume responsibility for any outside communication written or verbal with team members.

· In coordination with the DMH Management Team, ensure licensed and registered staff receive appropriate clinical oversight and supervision, training and guidance.

· Coordinate Nursing and Psychiatrist services with Director of Medication Support and Nursing Services.

· Participate in County meetings related to Mental Health and Continuum of Care (CoC) committees and meetings as requested. Liaise with Mental Health and Homeless Network Providers and communicate with non-Step Up providers to engage in intervention strategies.

· Attend regular Step Up management/Executive level meetings as well as local service area meetings as assigned.

Reports, Contracts and Data Compliance

· In coordination with the Director of QM, implement and follow Quality Assurance activities to meet Medi-Cal Standards and protocols; monitor Electronic and paper documentation and charts, determine and review appropriate use of program services, accuracy of documentation and third-party payment requirements compliance and ensure staff mastery of QA requirements. Authorize or co-sign paperwork as warranted.

· Ensure staff enter all billable time into EHR Welligent for payment. Support Program Managers to ensure staff are meeting billable hours and accurately capturing services provided.

· LPS Designated for program for emergency psychiatric assessments, 5150 evaluations and hospitalization of County DMH requirements.

· Serve as back up “on call” and assume primary “on call” as needed.

· Review and explain contract Scope of Services to staff to ensure staff are in compliance with SOS.

· Perform periodic internal audits and attend all monitoring site visits.

· Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS: Knowledge of or experience with Medi-Cal Department of Behavioral Health Programs, service delivery and compliance. DSM 5 diagnoses, assessment of level of functioning, DMH Documentation, EBP’s such as Motivational Interviewing, DBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Informed Care etc. Demonstrated and thorough knowledge of Housing First and Harm Reduction philosophies of service delivery. Initiative and solution focused practice orientation required. Demonstrated leadership of multiple programs, organizations or teams, with multiple staff oversight. Initiative and problem solving in community interface and human resources. Must demonstrate proactive communication skills and be a team player with a goal towards and mission of Step Up.

QUALIFICATIONS: Licensed Clinical Social worker (LCSW) preferred or LMFT with a minimum of 5 years experience working with adults recovering with chronic mental illness in psychosocial programs, knowledge about (P)ACT model preferred. Experience supervising clinical staff and interns, extensive knowledge of entitlements, excellent case management skills, communication skills and experience working on a team with paraprofessionals. Candidate must be computer literate with fluent Windows applications. Must have own transportation, and current California driver’s license and insurance.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the streets, in shelters or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health symptoms, or poverty. Additionally, in working with our members, employees may encounter instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated successfully. All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate crisis situations that may arise and Step Up has established procedural safeguards for all employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Keyboard data entry required.

Step Up utilizes the principles of trauma-informed care and mental health recovery. These principles inform our Core Values of Hope, Wellness, Voice and Choice, Respect, and Collaborative Relationships. As representatives of Step Up, employees agree to adhere to these values in their interactions with members, colleagues, supervisors, and associated community members.

STEP UP CORE VALUES

HOPE – We believe all people have the capacity for positive growth and change. We use hope to inspire and motivate ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

WELLNESS – We believe in promoting a culture that supports healthy and fulfilling lives. We use a supportive environment to foster well-being for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

VOICE AND CHOICE – We believe in the right to choose and be heard. We use voice and choice to create meaningful outcomes and empowerment for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

RESPECT – We believe in promoting interactions that are non-judgmental, transparent. We use respect to guide all of our words and actions with ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS – We believe in forming partnerships to share resources, knowledge, and experiences. We use collaborative relationships to strengthen accomplishments for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

Step Up is committed to providing quality services that adhere to the highest ethical standards and principles. All Step Up employees agree to adhere to the ethical policies and codes of conduct, as outlined in the Employee Handbook and those specified for this grant.

Step Up provides equal employment opportunities without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, mental or physical disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

STEP UP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER