Program Director – Mental Health PHP/IOP
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
Position Summary
The Program Director is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, clinical oversight, and operational management of the Adult Mental Health Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). The Program Director ensures the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based behavioral health services while maintaining compliance with Wisconsin Department of Health Services regulations, applicable federal and state laws, accreditation standards, and payer requirements.
The Program Director provides leadership to multidisciplinary staff, promotes a culture of clinical excellence, oversees program development, monitors quality improvement initiatives, and ensures exceptional patient care and outcomes.
Essential Job ResponsibilitiesProgram Leadership
- Direct the day-to-day operations of the PHP and IOP programs.
- Ensure safe, effective, and recovery-oriented treatment services.
- Develop and implement program policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Monitor program effectiveness through clinical outcomes and performance metrics.
- Foster a collaborative, trauma-informed, and person-centered treatment environment.
Clinical Oversight
- Provide clinical supervision and consultation to licensed clinicians as appropriate.
- Ensure treatment planning complies with regulatory, accreditation, and payer requirements.
- Monitor documentation for accuracy, quality, and timeliness.
- Ensure appropriate admission, continued stay, transfer, and discharge decisions.
- Promote evidence-based treatment approaches including CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, ACT, psychoeducation, relapse prevention, and trauma-informed care.
Staff Leadership
- Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, and retain qualified staff.
- Supervise therapists, case managers, recovery specialists, nurses, and support staff.
- Complete performance evaluations and ongoing competency assessments.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
- Address employee performance concerns promptly and professionally.
Regulatory Compliance
- Maintain compliance with Wisconsin Department of Health Services regulations.
- Ensure compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, CMS requirements, and applicable behavioral health standards.
- Prepare for state surveys, audits, and accreditation reviews.
- Monitor incident reporting, risk management activities, and corrective action plans.
Quality Improvement
- Develop and monitor quality assurance initiatives.
- Review patient satisfaction surveys and outcome data.
- Analyze program utilization, census, length of stay, and discharge outcomes.
- Implement performance improvement plans based on measurable data.
Financial Management
- Assist in development and management of the program budget.
- Monitor staffing productivity and scheduling.
- Promote efficient utilization of clinical resources.
- Collaborate with billing and utilization review staff to maximize reimbursement and authorization compliance.
Community Relations
- Build relationships with hospitals, physicians, outpatient providers, community mental health agencies, and referral sources.
- Participate in outreach, networking, and community education.
- Support business development initiatives to increase program census.
Patient Care
- Ensure timely access to treatment services.
- Promote patient-centered care and family involvement when appropriate.
- Address patient complaints and concerns professionally.
- Support a culture of dignity, respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Minimum Qualifications
- High School Diploma
- Minimum five years of progressive behavioral health experience.
- Minimum three years of supervisory or management experience.
- Experience in Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), or acute behavioral health settings preferred.
- Knowledge of behavioral health regulations, documentation standards, and utilization management.
- Current CPR certification or ability to obtain upon hire.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing multidisciplinary behavioral health teams.
- Knowledge of Wisconsin DHS behavioral health regulations.
- Experience with Joint Commission, CARF, or other accreditation standards.
- Experience in program development and quality improvement.
- Strong understanding of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Ability to supervise and motivate multidisciplinary teams.
- Knowledge of evidence-based behavioral health treatment.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to interpret policies, regulations, and clinical standards.
- Experience with electronic health record systems.
- Conflict resolution and crisis management skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk throughout the workday.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to respond to behavioral emergencies when necessary.
- Ability to utilize computers and office equipment for extended periods.
Working Conditions
- Behavioral health treatment environment.
- Frequent interaction with individuals experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms.
- Occasional evening meetings or community outreach events.
- Potential exposure to emotionally challenging situations requiring professional judgment.
Performance Expectations
The Program Director will be evaluated based on:
- Clinical quality and patient outcomes
- Regulatory compliance
- Staff retention and engagement
- Program census and growth
- Patient satisfaction
- Documentation quality
- Budget adherence
- Leadership effectiveness
- Quality improvement initiatives
- Community partnerships
Equal Employment Opportunity
The organization is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, Wisconsin, or local law.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
