Program Director - Substance Use Residential Treatment
Job Description
OUTREACH & CENSUS ACCOUNTABILITY
Coordinating outreach and maintaining a program census within an 85-100% occupancy margin is a core performance expectation of this role.
The Program Director - Substance Use Residential Treatment
This includes:
Owning the census number daily, tracking occupancy against the 85-100% target margin, admissions, discharges, and projected bed availability, and proactively managing the pipeline to prevent gaps
Leading and coordinating all outreach efforts, building and maintaining strong referral relationships with hospitals, courts, managed care organizations, community service boards, and other referral sources throughout Hampton Roads, to sustain a steady admissions pipeline
Coordinating with the admissions process to ensure timely screening, assessment, and intake of prospective residents
Identifying and resolving barriers to admission, including insurance authorization, transportation, and documentation readiness
Reporting census and occupancy status to the Assistant Clinical Director weekly, with a corrective action plan any time occupancy falls below the 85% margin for more than 48 hours
Analyzing census trends, discharge patterns, and length-of-stay data to forecast and prevent dips before they occur
OWNERSHIP OF ALL EMPLOYEES
The Program Director takes full ownership of every employee assigned to The Elijah House.
This includes:
Responsible for their performance, their development, their morale, and their accountability, not just their schedules. This includes:
Directly supervising all clinical and non-clinical staff, including counselors, case managers, residential aides, and peer recovery specialists
Ensuring adequate staffing coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including managing the on-call schedule and filling gaps without disruption to client care
Conducting regular individual supervision (clinical and administrative) and documenting supervision in accordance with DBHDS requirements
Leading weekly team meetings to review census, client progress, staffing needs, and program operations
Setting clear performance expectations, providing direct and timely feedback, and holding staff accountable through coaching, corrective action, and performance evaluations
Onboarding and training all new hires on policies, Elijah House procedures, regulatory requirements, and the culture and standards of the program
Identifying staff development needs and coordinating ongoing training in areas including crisis prevention, documentation, ethical practice, and evidence-based treatment modalities
Modeling the work ethic, professionalism, and client-centered values expected of every team member leading from the front, not the office
OWNERSHIP OF ALL CLIENTS
The Program Director takes full ownership of every client in the program. You are the person ultimately responsible for ensuring that each resident receives the quality of care they were promised.
This includes:
Knowing every resident by name, understanding their treatment goals, and being able to speak to their progress at any time
Ensuring that individualized service plans (ISPs) are developed within 24 hours of admission, are person- centered, and are reviewed and updated according to regulatory timelines
Overseeing daily clinical programming, group therapy, individual counseling, psychoeducation, life skills, and recovery support activities - and ensuring sessions are delivered with fidelity and quality
Monitoring clinical documentation for timeliness, accuracy, and compliance with DMAS, DBHDS, and ASAM standards
Ensuring that medication management, medical monitoring, and coordination with prescribers are handled safely and in accordance with policy
Personally reviewing and responding to all critical incidents, grievances, and client concerns, not delegating the follow-through on serious matters
Overseeing discharge planning from day one, ensuring every resident leaves with a concrete aftercare plan including outpatient therapy, peer support, housing, and community resources
Championing a culture of dignity, respect, and zero judgment, ensuring that every interaction between staff and residents reflects.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
Ensuring the program operates in full compliance with DBHDS licensing regulations (12VAC35-105),
DMAS billing and service requirements (12VAC30-130-5130), and ASAM Level 3.5 criteria
Maintaining audit-ready documentation and records at all times
Preparing the program for licensing reviews, audits, and surveys, and serving as the primary point of contact during regulatory visits
Developing, reviewing, and updating program policies and procedures to reflect current regulations and best practices
Leading continuous quality improvement initiatives, using data on client outcomes, satisfaction, and operational performance to drive program excellence
Ensuring all reportable incidents are documented, reported, and resolved according to regulatory requirements and policy
ADMINISTRATIVE & OPERATIONAL DUTIES
Participating in budgeting and resource allocation for The Elijah House, ensuring responsible use of program resources
Monitoring billing accuracy and collaborating with the billing department to ensure claims are submitted timely and correctly
Maintaining facility standards - ensuring the physical environment is safe, clean, therapeutic, and in compliance with all health and safety codes
Representing The Elijah House in community partnerships, stakeholder meetings, and professional networks
Providing regular written and verbal reports to the Assistant Clinical Director on program operations, census, staffing, compliance, and client outcomes
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related human services field (Masters degree strongly preferred)
Licensure: Active Virginia CSAC
Experience: Minimum of 3 years of direct experience in substance use disorder treatment services, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or program management role in a residential setting
Certifications: Current CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master & degree in a clinical or behavioral health discipline
Experience managing an ASAM Level 3.5 or higher residential program
Demonstrated track record of coordinating outreach and sustaining census at 85-100% occupancy in a
residential treatment setting
Experience with DMAS Medicaid billing and managed care authorization processes
Familiarity with co-occurring disorder treatment and trauma-informed care models
Experience preparing for and successfully passing DBHDS licensing reviews
KEY COMPETENCIES
Ownership Mentality - Takes personal responsibility for program outcomes rather than making excuses or passing problems upward
Outreach & Census Urgency - Understands that empty beds represent both lost revenue and people not getting help, and proactively coordinates outreach to keep occupancy within the 85-100% margin
Staff Developer - Builds capable teams through coaching, accountability, and genuine investment in people & growth
Clinical Credibility - Commands the respect of clinicians because of demonstrated knowledge and clinical judgment
Regulatory Fluency - Knows the rules, follows them, and ensures the team does the same without requiring constant reminders
Communication - Communicates directly, clearly, and professionally with staff, clients, families, and external partners
Resilience - Stays steady and solution-focused under
