Director, Giant Steps - Substance Use Outpatient Program

Job Description

The Director of Giant Steps provides strategic, clinical, and operational leadership for Hoboken University Hospital’s licensed substance use outpatient program. Giant Steps offers a full continuum of care, including Early Intervention, Partial Care, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and standard Outpatient services for adolescents and adults. The Director is responsible for the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered, evidence-based substance use disorder treatment in full compliance with NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) licensing regulations, Joint Commission Standards, 42 CFR Part 2, HIPAA, and all applicable federal, state, and payer requirements. The Director serves as the designated clinical leader and Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS), responsible for the oversight, quality, safety, clinical supervision, and integrity of all treatment services across all levels of care and age groups.

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Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours/week (Monday–Friday); must be available to work flexible hours, including evenings, to support program operations and expansion.

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Location: Hoboken University Hospital

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What you'll be doing

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• Demonstrates the mission and values of Hoboken University Hospital with patients, families, peers, and all members of the healthcare team.
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• Provides strategic, clinical, and operational leadership for the Giant Steps substance use outpatient program, including Early Intervention, Partial Care, Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and standard Outpatient services.
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• Oversees clinical, administrative, and financial operations of all program levels, ensuring compliance with NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) regulations and all applicable federal, state, and payer requirements.
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• Ensures all services (screening, assessment, diagnosis, level-of-care determination, treatment planning, service delivery, and discharge planning) meet professional, ethical, and regulatory standards.
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• Ensures clinical integrity through the implementation of evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive substance use treatment practices across both adolescent and adult populations.
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• Provides and oversees individual and group clinical supervision for LCADC interns, CADC, and other provisionally licensed/credentialed staff in accordance with NJ DMHAS regulations.
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• Establishes and maintains formal clinical supervision structures, documentation, and schedules compliant with NJ licensure and credentialing standards.
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• Leads accreditation readiness, NJ DMHAS licensing surveys, audits, and corrective action planning.
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• Develops and maintains relationships with the NJ Superior Court criminal case managers, superior court judges, and community stakeholders to support referral pipelines and program integrity.
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• Prepares the annual program report and departmental budget; monitors and reports on productivity, revenue, and expenditures.
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• Performs duties of a counselor/clinician as operationally appropriate, maintaining a small caseload.
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• Oversees psychiatric crisis protocols and coordination with higher levels of care and emergency services.
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LEADERSHIP:

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• Analyzes problems effectively and carefully considers alternatives before making decisions.
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• Keeps supervisors informed of program developments, clinical outcomes, and operational changes.
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• Provides clear and consistent communication and direction to clinical and administrative staff.
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• Demonstrates leadership effectiveness in managing interpersonal relationships and professional self-conduct.
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• Recruits, hires, supervises, and evaluates all clinical and administrative staff across program levels.
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• Promotes a culture of accountability, continuous professional development, and clinical excellence.
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• Plans and organizes work effectively; controls factors critical to achieving program and organizational goals.
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• Oral and written communication skills are professional, clear, and effective.
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PATIENT RIGHTS AND ORGANIZATIONAL ETHICS:

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• Responds to patient and family concerns in a timely and professional manner.
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• Promotes a professional atmosphere through courteous and respectful communication.
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• Observes and upholds the privacy and confidentiality of all patient information in accordance with 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA.
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• Ensures adherence to patient rights, including grievance processes, informed consent, and resolution procedures.
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• Demonstrates mission and values with patients, families, peers, and all members of the healthcare team.
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CONTINUUM OF CARE:

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• Serves as liaison between Giant Steps and hospital departments (ED, inpatient behavioral health, primary care, and specialty services) to ensure coordinated, seamless care transitions.
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• Develops and maintains referral pathways across all levels of care (Early Intervention, Partial Care, IOP, Outpatient) to ensure timely access and continuity of care.
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• Collaborates on discharge planning and care coordination with internal and external partners.
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• Builds and maintains relationships with court systems, community organizations, schools, and external referral sources to support program growth and patient access.
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• Collaborates with peers, physicians, and all members of the health care team.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF CARE:

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• Maintains a safe and comfortable environment for patients, visitors, and staff across all program settings.
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• Complies with policies and procedures concerning infection control, safety, and emergency preparedness.
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• Oversees patient safety, incident reporting, and emergency preparedness protocols.
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EDUCATION: SELF, PATIENT AND FAMILY

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• Maintains and develops competence through required in-service and continuing education programs.
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• Ensures all staff complete required training, competency validations, and annual education requirements.
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• Identifies educational needs and implements programming for staff, patients, families, and community groups.
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MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES:

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• Reports for duty punctually.
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• Maintains satisfactory attendance record.
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• Complies with dress code policy and maintains a professional business image.
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• Conducts staff meetings and reviews/signs minutes of all meetings not attended.
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• Adjusts to changing situations and work assignments.
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• Manages time appropriately to meet department and program needs.
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MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION:

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• Written information is clear, concise, and well organized.
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• Ensures timely distribution (internal and external) of financial and clinical reports.
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• Ensures compliance with confidentiality and record retention requirements, including 42 CFR Part 2.
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• Assists in record retention management.
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• Monitors productivity across all program levels and reports findings to leadership.
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IMPROVING ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE:

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• Leads Performance Improvement (PI/PQI) activities in alignment with NJ DMHAS and Joint Commission Standards.
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• Establishes and monitors clinical quality indicators and patient outcomes across all levels of care.
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• Conducts and oversees routine chart audits to ensure documentation quality, accuracy, medical necessity, and compliance.
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• Tracks audit findings, implements corrective action plans, and provides structured feedback to staff.
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• Oversees utilization review processes to ensure medical necessity and payer compliance.
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• Uses data to drive clinical, operational, and financial improvements across the program.
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• Participates in Quality Improvement activities including organizational team membership.
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• Promotes a professional atmosphere through courteous communication.
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Education & Licensure:

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• Required: Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related behavioral health field
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• Required: Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) in the State of New Jersey
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• Required: Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
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• Preferred: Dual licensure (LCADC/LCSW or LCADC/LPC)
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• Preferred: Additional credentials such as Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)
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Experience:

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• Minimum 5 years of progressive clinical experience in substance use disorder treatment.
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• Minimum 2–3 years of supervisory or program leadership experience in a licensed SUD or behavioral health setting.
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• Experience providing clinical supervision to LCADC interns, CADC, and other provisionally licensed/credentialed staff.
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• Experience across multiple levels of care (Early Intervention, Partial Care, IOP, Outpatient) strongly preferred.
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• Experience serving adolescents and adults in a licensed outpatient SUD setting.
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• Demonstrated experience with NJ DMHAS licensing requirements, regulatory compliance, and accreditation standards including Joint Commission Standards.
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• Experience with Medicaid/Medicare, commercial billing, utilization review, and documentation standards.
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• Experience working with court systems, criminal justice referral populations, and community stakeholder relationships preferred.
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• Ability to think critically and develop conceptual designs for clinical services; strong project planning and organizational skills.
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• Maintains active membership/participation in relevant professional organizations.
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Skills & Competencies:

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• Deep knowledge of NJ DMHAS substance use licensing regulations and 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality requirements
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• Proficiency in ASAM criteria and level-of-care determination across the full continuum
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• Expertise in evidence-based, trauma-informed SUD treatment practices for adolescents and adults
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• Competence in providing structured, documented clinical supervision
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• Strong program development, strategic planning, and implementation skills
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• Strong leadership, organizational, and decision-making abilities
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• Ability to define, track, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) for clinical, operational, and financial performance
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• Proficiency with Electronic Health Records (EHR), reporting tools, and data-driven decision-making
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• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
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• Experience overseeing grant-funded programs and initiatives preferred
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• Cultural competence and commitment to equitable, inclusive, and recovery-oriented care
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• High level of professionalism, integrity, and ability to handle confidential information
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• Ability to communicate clearly in English, both orally and in writing
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• Ability to lead and manage a multidisciplinary team across all levels of care
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