Clinical Director - Behavioral Health (Substance Use Disorder)

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Emend Healthcare provides comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment at multiple locations across the country. Each center is designed to deliver a full continuum of care, from medically supervised detox to residential and outpatient programs, ensuring clients can access the support they need wherever they are. With a focus on personalized treatment and compassionate care, Emend’s facilities offer safe, welcoming environments where individuals can begin their journey to lasting recovery.

At Emend Healthcare Company AK LLC, ("Emend AK"), an integral part of Emend, we are dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey to lasting wellness. Our team combines expertise, compassion, and personalized care to help clients navigate mental health challenges and substance use recovery. We focus on creating a safe, nurturing environment where every person can build the skills, resilience, and confidence needed to thrive. Through evidence-based treatment, innovative programs, and a commitment to holistic well-being, we empower clients to achieve meaningful, lasting change.

Position Summary

The Clinical Director serves as the senior clinical leader for Alaska operations. This position is responsible for the development, implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services across all levels of care operated by the organization.

The role provides leadership for clinical programming, treatment standards, service delivery, and clinical staff development. This position supports residential treatment, withdrawal management, outpatient treatment, and other clinical services operated by the organization.

Working closely with executive leadership, the Clinical Director supports quality care, regulatory compliance, program effectiveness, and positive client outcomes. This position promotes evidence-based practices, trauma-informed care, and individualized treatment approaches while maintaining compliance with state regulations, Medicaid requirements, Joint Commission standards, and organizational policies.

Duties and Responsibilities

· Provide leadership and oversight of clinical programs and treatment services across all levels of care operated by the organization.

· Supervise Clinical Supervisors, clinicians, counselors, and case management.

· Develop, implement, and maintain clinical programming, group curriculum, treatment guidelines, and clinical service standards that align with organizational philosophy, evidence-based practices, trauma-informed care principles, and individualized treatment approaches.

· Develop and implement clinical training programs and staff development initiatives that support clinical competency, documentation quality, regulatory compliance, and professional growth.

· Oversee clinical documentation, treatment planning, discharge planning, and service delivery standards. Ensure services support medical necessity, regulatory compliance, and Medicaid requirements.

· Utilize clinical data, outcome measures, and performance metrics to evaluate treatment effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement, and guide program development.

· Support accreditation readiness and ensure compliance with Joint Commission standards, Medicaid requirements, organizational policies, and applicable regulations.

· Collaborate with executive and operational leadership regarding staffing, census, program development, and organizational initiatives.

· Support recruitment, onboarding, workforce development, and retention of clinical staff.

· Maintain professional communication with referral sources, community partners, regulatory agencies, and treatment providers.

Position Requirements and Expectations

· Minimum of 3 years of behavioral health and/or substance use disorder treatment experience preferred.

· Leadership, supervisory, or program management experience within behavioral health settings preferred.

· Working knowledge of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, ASAM criteria, evidence-based practices, trauma-informed care principles, and behavioral health treatment practices.

· Knowledge of Medicaid documentation standards, Joint Commission requirements, and behavioral health regulations.

· Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and staff development skills.

· Valid Alaska driver's license required.

· Current CPR and First Aid certification required.

· Ability to successfully pass all required state and federal background screenings.

Preferred Experience

· Experience overseeing residential treatment, outpatient treatment, withdrawal management, or co-occurring disorder treatment programs.

· Experience with accreditation readiness, audits, and regulatory inspections.

· Experience with program development, clinical curriculum development, policy implementation, and workforce development initiatives.

Education/ Licensure Requirements

· Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology or related field.

· Current licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) in good standing required. Ability to obtain Alaska licensure required.