CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Description

FULL TIME

SALARY RANGE:  $85,000 to $110,000 

JOB SUMMARY

The Clinical Director is responsible for the supervision of the clinical program and clinical staff. The Clinical Director ensures appropriate therapeutic practices are utilized, and that the provisions of related services are in compliance with the students’ IEPs. They supervise the program therapists and assigned staff through the development of schedules and assignments, and by providing supervision and feedback to ensure quality of performance that enhances the effectiveness of the clinical program. The Clinical Director collaborates with the clinical team to ensure the clinical component of the school program meets the social and emotional needs of the students we serve. The Clinical Director works closely with members of the management team to oversee daily operations of the school program. 

FLSA STATUS: Exempt employee

SUPERVISION: Clinical Directors are supervised by the Principal

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assess, supervise, coach, and counsel program therapists to ensure they employ clinical strategies and techniques to provide appropriate therapeutic interventions to assist students to be school ready
• Ensure related services are provided to maintain 100% compliance with students’ IEPs and services are rendered as prescribed on the IEPs; review documentation to ensure compliance of required content and by the required deadlines
• Conduct regularly scheduled department meetings, supervision sessions, and therapeutic professional development for the clinical staff to enhance their effectiveness in the program; report to management team areas of concern
• Review in-take information on new students, and make appropriate clinical assignments
• Demonstrate knowledge and supervise the conducting of student functional behavioral assessments
• Oversee the assessment and completion of emergency petitions
• Work closely with the psychiatric consultants to ensure the clinical staff are utilizing their services as a resource for students
• Provide support and direction to all related services providers regarding documentation for Medicaid billing if applicable; ensure that permission forms are submitted annually
• Act as a liaison to contracted related service providers (SLP, OT) to ensure services are provided to maintain 100% compliance with students’ IEPs and services are rendered as prescribed on the IEPs; review documentation to ensure compliance of required content and by the required deadlines
• Ensure students’ case management is provided and documented by program therapists as assigned; collaborate with parents, guardians, and outside agencies to make appropriate referrals for needed services, and look for new resources that support students’ social and emotional growth
• Provide direction to staff during crisis and non-crisis situations to assist staff with improving behavior management skills and decision making skills; manage the need for additional staff in crisis situations and direct staff back to other duties when appropriate; when appropriate facilitate debriefing sessions with staff to review incidents and identify people responsible for completing required documentation
• Follow suspension determination protocol and notify the appropriate staff of suspension determination
• Demonstrate knowledge of current special education laws and regulations including IDEA, FERPA, COMAR, and DCMR; monitor staff compliance with laws and regulations
• Participate and contribute to the management team by actively participating in management meetings; share information and observations to improve school programming
• Work with other members of the management team and school staff to determine the student and/or program needs, and adjust interventions and practices to best meet those needs; work with team to develop interventions and/or incentive plans when appropriate
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and monitoring of the school’s annual goals. 
• Assist with the interviewing, hiring, supervision, coaching, progressive counseling, and termination process for program therapists and other assigned support staff; complete performance evaluations and individual goal creation for assigned staff
• Demonstrate an understanding of how our students’ disabilities impact their behavior and ability to learn; display knowledge of students’ diagnoses and adapt intervention strategies accordingly to meet the requirements of the students’ IEPs and BIPs
• Effectively manage student behavior through the implementation of the behavior management system, school rules, policies, and procedures; model appropriate behavior for the students during the school day
• Proactively identify behaviors among all students that could lead to a crisis, an unsafe situation or disrupt the learning environment; use effective behavior management techniques to address these behaviors in order to limit the severity and length of disruptions
• Proactively provide supervision of students to ensure the safety and security of the school program at all times
• Maintain student confidentiality in accordance with The Foundation Schools Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Statement and student record confidentiality procedures
• Demonstrate appropriate use of verbal de-escalation skills to manage student behaviors; utilize the behavior continuum in order to use or consider the use of the least restrictive behavioral interventions necessary; use effective, appropriate, and approved strategies during a crisis including the participation in seclusions, therapeutic holds, escorts, and student restraints when necessary; consistently and appropriately utilize and model TACT 2 techniques or classroom behavior management strategies
• Actively participate in committees, meetings, supervision, and professional development activities
• Consistently model and implement the organization’s core values to drive actions and to guide our students to incorporate Teamwork, Work Ethic, Integrity, Respect, and Leadership into positive behaviors
• Comply with all of The Foundation Schools’ policies, rules, protocols, and procedures
• Complete other duties as assigned

Additional Duties as assigned:

The Clinical Director may be required act as a Program Therapist and provide therapy and case management for students 

BENEFITS

• Company Paid –Group Term Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Short Term Disability, and Long Term Disability Insurances, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) Retirement Plan (Up to 8% employer contribution after 1 year of service for eligible employees), Educational Funds Assistance, 9 Paid Holidays, Paid Days Leave (PTO), Extended Sick Leave, Scheduled School Leave
• Company and Employee Cost Shared - Health Insurance (include prescription and visions benefits), Dental Insurance
• Employee Paid - Flexible Spending Account Plan (FSA) Medical & Dependent Care Accounts, Supplemental Life Insurance, Supplemental Accident, Hospital and Critical Illness Benefits
• Other Benefits - Credit Union Membership, Free Parking on Site, Professional Development Programs

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Experience and Certification

• Master’s degree or higher in social work, psychology, counseling, psychiatric nursing or other related field is required
• Current Maryland clinical license (LCPC or LCSW) is required
• Five years successful clinical experience in child, adolescent, group, and/or family counseling required
• Supervisor experience preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of DSM and IDEA, and their specific applications to educating students with emotional disabilities and other disabilities required
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) abilities are a plus

Physical, Interpersonal and Cognitive

• Utilize basic office equipment such as computer, tablet, telephone, fax, copier, etc.
• Complete reports and data input while using a variety of computer programs
• Move and carry supplies; light lifting, non-repetitive 
• Maintain a professional demeanor and relationship with students, colleagues, families, and community partners
• Work positively and collaboratively with others
• Maintain a professional work ethic and meet the standards of professionalism including appropriate attire, attendance, and timeliness
• Demonstrate effective time management and organization skills 
• Prioritize and plan work activities 
• Use time and resources efficiently, set realistic action plans and goals
• Speak clearly and be understood by others
• Read and express thoughts in a written format
• Possess and demonstrate a high level of mental and emotional balance
• Respond quickly and tactfully to crisis situations while using critical thinking to assess problems
• Work with minimum supervision and meet deadlines
• Physically restrain or assist in student restraints
• Possess sufficient mobility to provide instruction and manage student behaviors