Director of Clinical Services (Sacramento)

POSITION TITLE: Director of Clinical Services

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

PAY SCALE: $135,000 - $165,000 (Exempt)

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

The purpose of the Director of Clinical Services (DCS) position is to provide leadership and manage hospital-wide programming consisting of Social Services and Activities Therapy. The Director of Clinical Services will oversee the legal hearing processes and the hearing coordinator at the hospital which includes certification hearings, writ of habeas corpus hearings, and Riese hearings. The person in this position is responsible for development and communication of program priorities aligned with organizational goals. This position also promotes patients' potential during their stay and collaborates with physician and patient in preparation for discharge. Assists the physicians and other team members in understanding the significant social and emotional factors related to the health problems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Builds, directs, manages, and ensures implementation and effectiveness of hospital’s social services and activities therapy programs.  The programs include quality case management services to patients and their families.  Examples of services include: therapeutic group activities, discharge planning, treatment planning, appropriate communication with treatment team members, psychosocial/social assessments, and family sessions. Assists staff in developing complex discharge plans and case management tasks including conservatorships, placements, and long-length of stay patients.
• Directs activities of Clinicians and Activities Therapists.  This includes ensuring compliance with all treatment plan requirements including weekly review and updates with the patient (indicated by patient signatures, initials and dates that each review is completed).  Oversees maintenance of patient clinical records and reports to ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws. Advises, and counseling when appropriate, instructing family in patient social needs.
• Collaborates with leadership in developing and managing hospital wide clinical programming and planning of patient care services. Provides help in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care. Collaborates with Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Nurse Office (CNO), and Director of Performance Improvement and Risk Management in evaluation of performance improvement program, productivity, and annual reviews.
• Collaborates with Director of Community Relations and Director of Outpatient Services by participating in activities designed to increase knowledge of hospital programs and services to members of the local medical and government communities.
• Maintains effective working and professional relationships and communications with internal and external customers and colleagues.
• Convenes regular staff meetings, sets agendas, develops and analyzes department performance.  Designs and implements related processes and systems.  Serves as the department’s fiscal manager.
• Carries out personnel management activities associated with direct staff supervision, including screening and selection, orientation training and development, performance management, and employee relations functions.
• Develops and maintains a good working rapport with intra-department personnel, other departments within the facility and outside community health, welfare and social agencies to ensure that Social Service programs can be properly maintained to meet the needs of patients.
• Oversees the hearing coordinator and hospital’s efforts to provide services that are in compliance with laws and regulations related to patients’ rights.  This includes training staff on regulations and legally-sound practices, and coordination of certification hearings, writ of habeas corpus hearings, and Riese hearings.
• Keeps abreast of current federal and state regulations as well as professional standards for Social Service programs in acute psychiatric care environments.
• Performs related duties as requested.
• Upholds the Organization’s ethics and customer service standards.

Requirements

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Licensing:

• Must possess a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution.
• Must be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of California.
• Board of Social Work approved Clinical Supervisor strongly preferred.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Behavioral Health and/or Hospital background required with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a clinical, supervisory and/or administrative role in an inpatient and/or outpatient menta