Program Director – Substance Use Residential Treatment

About the Role

The Program Director - Substance Use Residential Treatment is responsible for coordinating outreach and maintaining a program census within an 85-100% occupancy margin, ensuring high-quality care and operational compliance.

Responsibilities

Outreach & Census Accountability

• Own the census number daily, tracking occupancy against the 85-100% target margin, admissions, discharges, and projected bed availability.
• Proactively manage the pipeline to prevent gaps in occupancy.
• Lead and coordinate all outreach efforts, building and maintaining strong referral relationships with hospitals, courts, managed care organizations, community service boards, and other referral sources throughout Hampton Roads.
• Coordinate with the admissions process to ensure timely screening, assessment, and intake of prospective residents.
• Identify and resolve barriers to admission, including insurance authorization, transportation, and documentation readiness.
• Report census and occupancy status to the Assistant Clinical Director weekly, with a corrective action plan if occupancy falls below the 85% margin for more than 48 hours.
• Analyze census trends, discharge patterns, and length-of-stay data to forecast and prevent dips in occupancy.

Ownership of All Employees

• Take full ownership of every employee, including their performance, development, morale, and accountability.
• Directly supervise all clinical and non-clinical staff, including counselors, case managers, residential aides, and peer recovery specialists.
• Ensure adequate staffing coverage 24/7, including managing the on-call schedule and filling gaps without disruption to client care.
• Conduct regular individual supervision (clinical and administrative) and document supervision in accordance with DBHDS requirements.
• Lead weekly team meetings to review census, client progress, staffing needs, and program operations.
• Set clear performance expectations, provide direct and timely feedback, and hold staff accountable through coaching, corrective action, and performance evaluations.
• Onboard and train all new hires on policies, Elijah House procedures, regulatory requirements, and the culture and standards of the program.
• Identify staff development needs and coordinate ongoing training in areas including crisis prevention, documentation, ethical practice, and evidence-based treatment modalities.
• Model the work ethic, professionalism, and client-centered values expected of every team member.

Ownership of All Clients

• Take full ownership of every client in the program, ensuring each resident receives the quality of care they were promised.
• Know every resident by name, understand their treatment goals, and be able to speak to their progress at any time.
• Ensure individualized service plans (ISPs) are developed within 24 hours of admission, are person-centered, and are reviewed and updated according to regulatory timelines.
• Oversee daily clinical programming, group therapy, individual counseling, psychoeducation, life skills, and recovery support activities, ensuring sessions are delivered with fidelity and quality.
• Monitor clinical documentation for timeliness, accuracy, and compliance with DMAS, DBHDS, and ASAM standards.
• Ensure medication management, medical monitoring, and coordination with prescribers are handled safely and in accordance with policy.
• Personally review and respond to all critical incidents, grievances, and client concerns.
• Oversee discharge planning from day one, ensuring every resident leaves with a concrete aftercare plan including outpatient therapy, peer support, housing, and community resources.
• Champion a culture of dignity, respect, and zero judgment in all interactions between staff and residents.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Improvement

• Ensure the program operates in full compliance with DBHDS licensing regulations (12VAC35-105), DMAS billing and service requirements (12VAC30-130-5130), and ASAM Level 3.5 criteria.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and records at all times.
• Prepare the program for licensing reviews, audits, and surveys, serving as the primary point of contact during regulatory visits.
• Develop, review, and update program policies and procedures to reflect current regulations and best practices.
• Lead continuous quality improvement initiatives using data on client outcomes, satisfaction, and operational performance.
• Ensure all reportable incidents are documented, reported, and resolved according to regulatory requirements and policy.

Administrative & Operational Duties

• Participate in budgeting and resource allocation for The Elijah House, ensuring responsible use of program resources.
• Monitor billing accuracy and collaborate with the billing department to ensure claims are submitted timely and correctly.
• Maintain facility standards, ensuring the physical environment is safe, clean, therapeutic, and in compliance with all health and safety codes.
• Represent The Elijah House in community partnerships, stakeholder meetings, and professional networks.
• Provide regular written and verbal reports to the Assistant Clinical Director on program operations, census, staffing, compliance, and client outcomes.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related human services field (Master’s degree strongly preferred).
• Active Virginia CSAC licensure.
• Minimum of 3 years of direct experience in substance use disorder treatment services, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or program management role in a residential setting.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a clinical or behavioral health discipline.
• Experience managing an ASAM Level 3.5 or higher residential program.
• Demonstrated track record of coordinating outreach and sustaining census at 85-100% occupancy in a residential treatment setting.
• Experience with DMAS Medicaid billing and managed care authorization processes.
• Familiarity with co-occurring disorder treatment and trauma-informed care models.
• Experience preparing for and successfully passing DBHDS licensing reviews.

Skills

• Ownership Mentality: Takes personal responsibility for program outcomes.
• Outreach & Census Urgency: Proactively coordinates outreach to maintain 85-100% occupancy.
• Staff Developer: Builds capable teams through coaching, accountability, and investment in growth.
• Clinical Credibility: Commands respect through demonstrated knowledge and clinical judgment.
• Regulatory Fluency: Knows and ensures compliance with all relevant rules and regulations.
• Communication: Communicates directly, clearly, and professionally with all stakeholders.
• Resilience: Stays steady and solution-focused under pressure.