Clinical Director- Substance Use Disorders

Experience and Licensure Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Master's degree or higher in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Behavioral Health, or a closely related behavioral health discipline from an accredited institution.

 

Licensure:

• Current, unrestricted clinical license (Washington, DC) in good standing that meets state requirements to provide clinical supervision and oversee behavioral health services.

Preferred Licensure:

• Dual licensure in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (e.g., LCMHC/LCAS, LCSW/LCAS).
• Clinical Supervisor (CS) designation, if applicable.
• 
  Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) or equivalent credential.

Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible clinical experience in behavioral health and/or substance use disorder treatment.
• Minimum of three (3) years in a clinical leadership, supervisory, or program management role.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing outpatient behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment programs, including ASAM Level 1 and/or Level 2.1 services.
• Experience developing and implementing clinical policies, procedures, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Experience with clinical documentation standards, utilization management, and payer requirements.
• Experience preparing for or participating in licensing reviews, accreditation surveys, audits, and regulatory inspections.

 

Preferred Experience:

• Experience opening, expanding, or managing multiple behavioral health service lines.
• Experience with integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
• Experience with Medicaid managed care, commercial insurance, and value-based care initiatives.
• Experience with CARF and/or Joint Commission accreditation.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams through organizational growth or change.

Position Summary

The Clinical Director- SUD serves as the senior clinical leader for SUD operations at Spring Leaf Solutions and is responsible for the strategic oversight, quality, integrity, and regulatory compliance of all behavioral health and substance use disorder services. This position establishes clinical vision, ensures adherence to evidence-based practices and applicable regulatory requirements, and provides leadership to support exceptional client outcomes across Recovery Support Services, ASAM Level 1 Outpatient, Level 2.1 Intensive Outpatient, and outpatient mental health services.

 

Working in partnership with the Executive Director, the Clinical Director develops and maintains the organization's clinical infrastructure, including policies, supervision, quality management systems, program development, and clinical workforce planning. The Clinical Director provides clinical direction to the Clinical Manager and serves as the organization's designated clinical authority.

 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Clinical Leadership & Strategic Direction (30%)

Provides strategic leadership for the organization's clinical programs and establishes the standards, policies, and practices that guide service delivery.

Responsibilities include:

• Establish the organization's clinical philosophy and standards of practice.
• Develop and maintain clinical policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Ensure implementation of evidence-based and trauma-informed practices.
• Provide clinical consultation on complex client cases.
• Lead program development and clinical service expansion.
• Evaluate emerging best practices and recommend improvements to clinical programming.
• Serve as the organization's clinical representative with external stakeholders and regulatory agencies, as appropriate.

 

2. Clinical Governance, Quality & Regulatory Compliance (30%)

Establishes and oversees the organization's clinical governance framework, ensuring compliance with all applicable licensing, payer, and regulatory requirements while promoting continuous quality improvement.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide oversight of the organization's quality assurance and performance improvement program.
• Interpret and implement applicable state, federal, payer, and accreditation requirements.
• Ensure compliance with documentation, supervision, and clinical service standards.
• Oversee internal audits, corrective action plans, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain organizational readiness for licensing reviews, audits, and accreditation surveys.
• Monitor clinical outcomes, quality indicators, and risk trends.
• Review significant incidents and oversee clinical risk management activities.

 

3. Clinical Leadership, Supervision & Workforce Development (20%)

Provides clinical leadership to management and clinical staff while fostering professional development, accountability, and excellence in clinical practice.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide clinical direction and supervision to the Clinical Manager.
• Oversee the organization's clinical supervision program.
• Ensure staff meet licensure, supervision, and continuing education requirements.
• Participate in recruitment and selection of clinical personnel.
• Support leadership development within the clinical team.
• Promote a culture of ethical practice, collaboration, and continuous learning.

 

4. Organizational Leadership & Community Engagement (10%)

Collaborates with organizational leadership to support strategic planning, community partnerships, and organizational growth.

Responsibilities include:

• Partner with the Executive Director on organizational planning and service expansion.
• Develop relationships with referral partners, healthcare organizations, managed care entities, and community stakeholders.
• Participate in leadership meetings and organizational initiatives.
• Support grant development, contract management, and program reporting, as assigned.

 

5. Administrative Responsibilities (10%)

Provides executive-level administrative oversight of clinical services and supports organizational decision-making.

Responsibilities include:

• Review clinical program performance metrics and present reports 2X/monthly to executive leadership.
• Develop and monitor clinical budgets in collaboration with the Executive Director.
• Prepare reports for leadership, governing bodies, and regulatory agencies.
• Recommend organizational improvements based on quality and performance data.
• Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

 

Decision-Making Authority

The Clinical Director-SUD has authority within the SUD program to:

• Establish clinical standards of practice within the SUD organization.
• Approve clinical policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Direct implementation of evidence-based treatment models.
• Provide clinical direction to the Clinical Manager and clinical staff.
• Approve corrective action plans related to clinical quality and compliance.
• Recommend development, modification, or discontinuation of clinical programs.
• Recommend clinical staffing models and workforce development initiatives.
• Represent the organization in clinical matters involving licensing agencies, accreditation organizations, and payer audits, as delegated.

Final authority for organizational finances, business operations, and non-clinical administrative matters remains with the Executive Director

 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Clinical Expertise

• Advanced knowledge of evidence-based behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment practices.
• Comprehensive understanding of the ASAM Criteria and levels of care.
• Knowledge of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, person-centered, and recovery-oriented models of care.
• Ability to provide clinical consultation on complex cases and ethical issues.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Thorough knowledge of Washington, DC behavioral health regulations and licensing requirements.
• Working knowledge of Medicaid Clinical Coverage Policies and payer documentation standards.
• Knowledge of HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, professional ethical standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and translate them into operational policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of quality assurance, risk management, and continuous quality improvement methodologies.

Leadership & Organizational Management

• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary clinical teams and develop future leaders.
• Ability to establish accountability while fostering a collaborative, supportive work environment.
• Experience managing organizational change and implementing new clinical initiatives.
• Strong conflict resolution, coaching, and performance management skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions in complex and evolving clinical environments.

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Ability to analyze clinical, operational, and quality data to guide decision-making.
• Ability to align clinical operations with organizational strategy and regulatory expectations and translate them into effective and effecient workflows.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands while maintaining quality and compliance.

Communication & Relationship Management

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with internal staff, providers, referral partners, payers, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, clinical staff, clients, and external stakeholders.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills.

 

Work Schedule:

This position can be successful conducting work on-site at the Washington, DC office or remotely. Typical work hours of 9a-5p are expected, and although rare, some weekends and nights may be required.