Director of Outpatient Services and Programs

Northern Children’s Services has been recognized with the 2026 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award and the 2026 Top Workplaces Professional Development Award.

About the role

Northern Children’s Services (Northern) is seeking an experienced, mission-driven Director of Outpatient Services & Programs to lead the day-to-day clinical and administrative operations of Northern’s Outpatient Program. Reporting to the Senior Director of Behavioral Health, the Director is a key member of Northern’s Behavioral Health leadership team and plays a central role in ensuring that outpatient services are clinically excellent, operationally sound, and producing measurable outcomes for the children, youth, and families served. This role requires both clinical expertise and administrative discipline, embracing data, benchmarks, and performance accountability as core leadership tools.

Responsibilities

• Clinical Excellence & Program Oversight
  • Oversee clinical and administrative operations of the Outpatient Program, ensuring delivery of services consistent with best practices and regulatory standards.
  • Monitor electronic health records (Credible/Qualifacts) for documentation quality, accuracy, and timely submission; review and approve clinical work.
  • Ensure strong, consistent clinical supervision structures matched to staff licensure levels.
  • Promote evidence-based and trauma-informed practices across the program.
  • Ensure children and youth have current, high-quality treatment plans reflecting individualized, outcomes-driven care.
  • Support clinicians in pursuing licensure and certification in approved evidence-based models.
  • Maintain strict adherence to Northern policies, CBH, and OMHSAS regulatory requirements.
• Leadership & Supervisory Discipline
  • Provide direct administrative and clinical supervision to Outpatient therapists, program staff, and Master’s-level student interns.
  • Communicate and reinforce clear performance expectations; address concerns promptly through coaching, retraining, or corrective action.
  • Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate program staff in alignment with Northern’s standards.
  • Make human resources recommendations to the Senior Director of Behavioral Health.
• Data, Benchmarks & Outcomes Ownership
  • Regularly review program dashboards for census, productivity, access, client outcomes, and documentation compliance.
  • Ensure standardized outcome tools are implemented and used consistently.
  • Analyze trends and implement timely corrections for performance declines.
  • Maintain data integrity, including closed cases, documentation accuracy, and consistent outcome scoring.
  • Embrace benchmarks as tools for improvement and build this understanding within the clinical team.
  • Track and report key quality performance indicators monthly.
• Administrative Leadership & Operational Discipline
  • Ensure effective use of program management tools (Credible/Qualifacts, Janet/Mission Driven Data, Office 365, UKG) for real-time management, billing optimization, and program improvement.
  • Align staffing models with census and program needs.
  • Oversee productivity, access, discharge planning, and authorization processes.
  • Maintain accurate documentation systems and reporting.
  • Monitor program budget and maintain operating margin within budgeted guidelines.
  • Implement and document disciplinary actions (terminations, corrective actions, PIPs) with full HR alignment.
• Financial & Census Accountability
  • Maintain strong census across the Outpatient Program; proactively address declines in utilization, referrals, or access.
  • Partner with Senior Director of Behavioral Health and Finance to monitor program margins and revenue performance.
  • Respond strategically to funding, regulatory, and authorization changes.
• Communication, Honesty & Accountability
  • Respond to emails, calls, and messages within one business day whenever feasible.
  • Communicate proactively on significant issues, risks, and organizational matters.
  • Demonstrate accountability by acknowledging mistakes and taking corrective action.
  • Encourage open communication and support employees in raising concerns.
  • Address workplace concerns, conflicts, and communication issues promptly and professionally.
  • Promote teamwork, transparency, collaboration, and mutual accountability.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance
  • Ensure program compliance with CBH, DBHIDS, OMHSAS, and DHS-State requirements.
  • Collaborate with Program Quality to meet and exceed standards.
  • Support preparation for and response to city and state audits; assist in developing Plans of Correction (POC).
  • Maintain compliance through ongoing staff training, supervision, and documentation monitoring.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
  • Encourage constructive feedback, creative problem-solving, and new ideas from staff at all levels.
  • Evaluate improvements based on data and potential impact.
  • Foster psychological safety and intellectual curiosity.
• Cross-Department Collaboration
  • Maintain collaborative relationships with Residential Programs, IBHS, and part-time psychiatrist for shared cases.
  • Coordinate with other Northern departments and outside agencies for shared clients.
  • Participate in agency committees, working groups, and fund development initiatives.
  • Avoid siloed culture; reinforce organization-wide goals and accountability.
• Trauma-Informed Practice & Culture
  • Champion a trauma-informed culture across the Outpatient Program.
  • Ensure staff demonstrate emotional intelligence, person-first and strengths-based language.
  • Commit to a therapeutic environment promoting safety, nonviolence, and resilience for clients and staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a mental health discipline or related field required.
• Active clinical licensure issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (LAPC, LBS, LCSW, LPC, LMFT, LSW, Psy.D., or Ph.D.).
• At least six (6) years of experience in a health or social service organization, with at least three (3) years in a supervisory or administrative leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience providing clinical supervision using evidence-based practices and outcomes-driven treatment for children, adolescents, and families.
• Strong knowledge of CBH, DBHIDS, OMHSAS, and applicable DHS-State regulations and procedures.