Director of Outpatient Services

Title: Director of Outpatient Services

Department: Clinical Services
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Status: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Director of Outpatient Services is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational management, regulatory compliance, and clinical oversight of all outpatient treatment programs at Apex Recovery. This position ensures the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment while maintaining compliance with all federal, state, accreditation, and payer requirements. This is for all locations at Apex Recovery. 

The Director of Outpatient Services provides leadership to clinical staff, develops and monitors program performance, collaborates with multidisciplinary departments, and drives continuous quality improvement to support exceptional patient outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Operations

• Provide overall leadership and management of all outpatient programs, including Intensive Outpatient (IOP), Outpatient (OP), Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), and other outpatient services as developed.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to improve program growth, efficiency, patient satisfaction, and clinical outcomes.
• Ensure outpatient services operate efficiently while meeting budgetary and financial goals.
• Monitor daily census, admissions, discharges, productivity, and scheduling.
• Collaborate with executive leadership regarding program development and expansion opportunities.
• Maintain a positive, patient-centered culture focused on excellence in care.

Clinical Oversight

• Supervise licensed clinicians, therapists, case managers, and support staff.
• Ensure evidence-based treatment practices are consistently implemented.
• Monitor documentation for accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure treatment plans, assessments, progress notes, and discharge planning meet clinical standards.
• Collaborate with medical providers regarding patient care and treatment planning.
• Address clinical concerns, crisis situations, and patient grievances appropriately.

Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain compliance with:
  • Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS)
  • Joint Commission Standards
  • HIPAA regulations
  • CMS and payer requirements
  • Company policies and procedures
• Ensure readiness for regulatory surveys and accreditation visits.
• Participate in audits and implement corrective action plans when necessary.

Quality Improvement

• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including:
  • Census
  • Attendance rates
  • Patient engagement
  • Completion rates
  • Patient satisfaction
  • Staff productivity
  • Clinical outcomes
• Develop action plans to improve program performance.
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives.

Staff Management

• Recruit, interview, onboard, train, mentor, and evaluate outpatient staff.
• Conduct regular supervision meetings and annual performance evaluations.
• Manage employee performance through coaching, corrective action, and performance improvement plans when necessary.
• Promote employee engagement and professional development.
• Ensure staffing levels adequately support patient care.

Collaboration

• Work closely with Admissions, Nursing, Medical Providers, Utilization Review, Business Development, Human Resources, and Executive Leadership.
• Participate in leadership meetings and interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Support community outreach and referral relationships.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage departmental budgets.
• Monitor labor costs and staffing productivity.
• Assist with revenue cycle optimization through documentation compliance and census management.
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiency and cost savings.

Qualifications

Education

• Master's Degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related behavioral health field required.

Licensure

One of the following Tennessee licenses preferred:

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-MHSP)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Licensed Psychologist
• Other appropriate independent clinical license

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of behavioral health or substance use disorder treatment experience.
• Minimum three (3) years of progressive leadership or management experience.
• Experience managing outpatient behavioral health programs preferred.
• Experience with Joint Commission accreditation strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
• Knowledge of substance use disorder treatment and co-occurring disorders
• Understanding of ASAM Criteria
• Knowledge of HIPAA, OSHA, Joint Commission, and state licensing standards
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to analyze operational and financial reports
• Excellent problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR) and Microsoft Office Suite

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to respond quickly during emergency situations.
• Frequent use of computers and standard office equipment.

Work Environment

• Behavioral health treatment facility.
• May require occasional evening or weekend availability based on operational needs.
• Frequent interaction with patients, families, referral partners, and multidisciplinary staff.

Performance Expectations

The Director of Outpatient Services will be evaluated based on:

• Achievement of census and growth goals
• Patient satisfaction scores
• Clinical quality and patient outcomes
• Regulatory and accreditation compliance
• Staff retention and engagement
• Documentation quality and timeliness
• Budget performance
• Quality improvement initiatives
• Leadership effectiveness
• Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams

Benefits

Eligible employees may receive:

• Competitive salary
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Paid Time Off (FPTO)
• Sick Leave
• 401(k)
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness initiatives

Equal Employment Opportunity

Apex Recovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, business needs, and applicable law.