Clinical Manager: Substance Use Disorders

Job Description

Job Description

Experience and Licensure Requirements:

Education

Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Behavioral Health, Human Services, or a closely related field.

Licensure

Current unrestricted clinical license appropriate to the services provided.

Preferred:

• Dual licensure in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (e.g., LCMHC/LCAS or LCSW/LCAS).

 

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of behavioral health or substance use treatment experience.
• Minimum three (3) years of progressive supervisory or leadership experience.
• Experience supervising multidisciplinary clinical teams.
• Experience in outpatient and/or intensive outpatient treatment settings.

Job Summary:

The Clinical Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and operational oversight of outpatient behavioral health and substance use disorder services. This position ensures the effective delivery of high-quality, person-centered care while providing leadership, supervision, and operational support to clinical staff across Recovery Support Services, ASAM Level 1 Outpatient Services, and ASAM Level 2.1 Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP).

Working under the direction of the Clinical Director, the Clinical Manager implements clinical policies and operational procedures, monitors program performance, supports staff development, and ensures day-to-day compliance with organizational, regulatory, and payer requirements. This position serves as the operational leader for clinical services, translating organizational priorities into consistent daily practice.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Clinical Program Operations (30%)

Provides day-to-day leadership and operational oversight for outpatient behavioral health and substance use disorder programs, ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality, person-centered services across all assigned programs.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide day-to-day oversight of Recovery Support Services, Level 1 Outpatient, and Level 2.1 Intensive Outpatient programs.
• Coordinate daily clinical operations, staffing, scheduling, and workflow management.
• Monitor program capacity, clinician productivity, and service utilization.
• Support implementation of new clinical initiatives and organizational priorities.
• Ensure continuity of care and efficient service delivery.

Staff Leadership & Clinical Supervision (25%)

Provides supervision, coaching, mentorship, and operational leadership to clinical staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.

Responsibilities include:

• Supervise assigned clinical personnel.
• Conduct routine supervision meetings.
• Complete performance evaluations.
• Provide coaching and performance feedback.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, orientation, and staff development.
• Address performance concerns in collaboration with the Clinical Director.

Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance (20%)

Monitors operational quality and day-to-day compliance with organizational policies, payer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards while supporting continuous quality improvement.

Responsibilities include:

• Conduct routine chart audits.
• Monitor documentation quality and timeliness.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and clinical procedures.
• Monitor treatment planning and documentation requirements.
• Support licensing, accreditation, and audit readiness.
• Identify operational compliance risks and implement corrective actions.
• Escalate significant compliance concerns to the Clinical Director.

Client Care Coordination & Community Collaboration (15%)

Promotes continuity of care by supporting interdisciplinary communication, client engagement, and collaborative relationships with community partners and referral sources.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitor client engagement and continuity of care.
• Support resolution of complex operational barriers to treatment.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary communication.
• Oversee discharge planning and referral coordination.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with referral partners and community organizations.

Administrative & Organizational Leadership (10%)

Supports organizational planning, reporting, and operational improvement initiatives while contributing to the overall success of the organization.

Responsibilities include:

• Prepare operational reports and program metrics.
• Participate in leadership meetings.
• Support policy implementation.
• Contribute to strategic planning initiatives.
• Recommend operational improvements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment models.
• Understanding of ASAM Criteria and recovery-oriented systems of care.
• Knowledge of Medicaid documentation and payer requirements.
• Strong leadership and staff development skills.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective conflict resolution and coaching skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced clinical environment.

Work Schedule:

Work is performed primarily in an outpatient behavioral health setting. Occasional evening hours, travel between service locations, or participation in community meetings may be required.

This position is expected to work in-person from the Washington, DC office 2-3X per week, and be available 9-5pm. Although rare, some weekends and nights may be required.