Assistant Clinical Director and Program Manager

Assistant Clinical Director and Program Manager

La Cheim has been providing a robust continuum of care for nearly 50 years to help children and adults who were previously unreachable. Our non-public school, community mental health center, therapeutic behavioral services program, and Short-Term Residential Treatment Program offer educational and mental health services throughout Alameda and Contra Costa County.

Our team is made up of teachers, art therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, RNs, social workers, MFTs, and mentors who are known for their caliber and compassion. They create life-changing experiences for those they serve. All La Cheim programs embrace and apply a Trauma-Informed approach to addressing emotional and behavioral issues.

The STRTP Assistant Clinical Director and Program Manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with California Community Care Licensing (CCL), Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), county mental health requirements, and CARF accreditation standards while maintaining a trauma-informed therapeutic environment that promotes safety, stabilization, and permanency for youth.

By joining La Cheim you will be part of a supportive community serving an inspiration mission. You will enjoy rich benefits, valuable training and wellness opportunities, close support, and room to grow.

Position Description

The STRTP Assistant Clinical Director and Program Manager is a licensed mental health professional responsible for providing integrated clinical leadership and program oversight, including:

• Clinical leadership: Providing supervision to therapists, associates, interns, and MHRS staff; supporting clinical decision-making; maintaining a clinical caseload as needed; and reviewing and approving treatment plans and documentation to ensure quality and compliance.
• Program management: overseeing daily STRTP program operations, coordinating therapeutic activities, monitoring program quality, and ensuring adherence to clinical protocols.
• Staff training: designing, facilitating, and overseeing training for all clinical and direct care staff to meet licensing and agency standards.
• Clinical decision-making authority: serving as a designated clinical leader and assuming decision-making responsibility in the absence of the Head of Services.

Work Schedule & On-Site Expectations

• Maintains a consistent on-site presence to support clinical supervision, staff development, and program oversight, including minimum on-site requirement as determined by program needs
• Demonstrates flexibility to support program needs, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and participation in on-call or leadership coverage as assigned.

This role works collaboratively with the STRTP Administrator but does not assume operational, fiscal, or administrative authority.

Qualifications and Skills

• Active California clinical license (LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or Ph.D./Psy.D.)
• Minimum of 2 years post-licensure clinical experience; 5+ preferred
• Experience supervising clinical staff and interns
• Experience in STRTPs or residential programs serving at-risk youth preferred
• Mandated Reporter compliance
• Must have a valid California Driver License and car insurance
• Must be able to pass all required tests and clearances (Live Scan (DOJ, FBI, Guardian) TB test, etc.)

Desired Qualifications and Skills:

• Knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care and residential service delivery
• Familiarity with Medi-Cal billing and EMRs
• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills
• Collaborative, flexible, and high-integrity work style

Professional Attributes

• Functions as a "team player," and "team builder" prioritizing the organization's best interests
• Possesses strong clinical training skills for clinical and non-clinical direct care staff.
• Exhibits creativity, adaptability, openness, and a high level of professionalism
• Possesses strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Maintains confidentiality with discretion
• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Works effectively independently and pays close attention to detail
• Collaborates well with other agency staff
• Outstanding organizational and time management abilities.
• Exhibit a strong professional commitment and represent La Cheim effectively while engaging with the community.

Physical Requirements

The following is the extent of the specific activity required for this position:

• Stairs – climbing stairs up to 50-100 – up to 2-4 hours, not continuously.
• Sitting – up to 2 hours, not continuously; standing – up to 4 hours, not continuously
• Walking – up to 2 hours, not continuously; bending over – up to 1 hour, not continuously.
• Crawling – up to 0 hours; climbing – up to 0 hours, reaching overhead – up to a few minutes.
• Crouching – up to ½ hour, not continuously; kneeling – up to a few minutes
• Balancing – up to 0 hours; pushing or pulling – up to a few minutes.
• Lifting or carrying – 25 pounds or less; repetitive use of feet – up to 0 hours
• Repetitive use of hands – up to 0 hours
• Grasping – with one or both, simple and firm, for up to 1 hour, not continuously
• Fine dexterity - either hand up to 1 hour, not continuously Auditory and visual acuity – 8 hours within normal limits and maybe with glasses, contact lenses or hearing aids.
• Driving cars and vans; Exposure to uneven concrete and blacktop
• Exposure to normal dust, heat, and noise
• Exposure to emotionally disturbed students who may be physically and verbally violent and require safe physical management.
• Frequent exposure to office equipment.
• Ability to work in a residential treatment environment.
• Ability to respond to crisis situations involving youth when necessary.

Essential Duties

Clinical Leadership:

• Maintain a clinical caseload as appropriate, including individual, group, family therapy, and crisis intervention services.
• Provide clinical supervision to therapists, clinical interns, and MHRS staff.
• Review and approve assessments, treatment plans, Needs & Service Plans (NSPs), and clinical documentation.
• Monitor clinical outcomes and ensure treatment interventions are appropriate and effective.
• Provide ongoing, on-site clinical supervision, including real time coaching, support in clinical decision-making, and staff development.
• Model Trauma-Informed, culturally responsive care.
• Serve as backup decision-maker when the Head of Services is unavailable.
• Ensure all documentation and record keeping (including EMR and on-site charts) are completed accurately and within required timelines.

Program Management:

• Monitoring the quality and effectiveness of the mental health services provided to youth
• Plan and oversee daily STRTP program schedule, including therapeutic groups, outings, and activities.
• Ensure program fidelity and quality outcomes for clients.
• Monitor client progress and coordinate care with interdisciplinary teams.
• Lead program development initiatives and participate in quality improvement activities.
• Collaborate with the STRTP Administrator to ensure smooth program operations without overstepping administrative authority.
• Coordinate, assign, and complete the daily clinical shift exchange to ensure accurate communication of client updates, treatment needs, and clinical priorities.
• Participate in the intake process, including reviewing referrals and assessing appropriateness for placement.
• Support and oversee discharge planning and transition services.
• Participate in licensing inspections, county audits, and program reviews.
• Assist in developing and updating program policies, procedures, and clinical protocols.
• Participate in the leadership on-call rotation, providing phone support and responding in person when needed to ensure safety and required staffing levels.

Staff Training & Development:

• Develop and implement training programs for all clinical and direct care staff.
• Ensure