Clinical Program Administrator

SUMMARY: The Clinical Program Administrator is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and oversight of clinical initiatives that support county behavioral health systems. This role focuses on improving access to specialty behavioral health services, including State Hospital programs and other high-acuity treatment programs. Additionally, the Clinical Program Administrator oversees the clinical components of master contracts and conducts clinical reviews for admissions, ensuring counties effectively utilize contracted treatment providers for specialty behavioral health care. This position ensures that clinical programs align with county needs, regulatory requirements, and best practices in behavioral health service delivery. The Administrator collaborates closely with county partners, treatment providers, and internal stakeholders to develop sustainable, high-quality clinical service models that enhance service access and system efficiency.

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY include but are not limited to:

• Lead the development and execution of clinical initiatives that enhance county behavioral health services, including high-acuity treatment programs such as State Hospital programs.
• Oversee the clinical components of master contracts, ensuring efficient utilization of contracted treatment providers and alignment with county needs.
• Serve as a clinical liaison between county partners and contracted treatment providers, building and maintaining strong relationships and facilitating effective communication and collaboration.
• Ensure clinical programs are data-driven, evidence-based, and compliant with federal, state, and local regulations, including LPS statutes and State Hospital admission protocols.
• Conduct clinical reviews for admissions, ensuring appropriate placement and adherence to clinical criteria, regulatory requirements, and county priorities.
• Monitor program outcomes using data and metrics to assess effectiveness, address service gaps, and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement quality assurance processes to ensure services meet clinical standards and contractual obligations.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to identify emerging trends, define long-term strategies, and contribute to strategic planning efforts for expanding clinical offerings.
• Assist in developing budgets and resource allocation strategies to ensure the fiscal sustainability of clinical programs.
• Work closely with relevant departments to monitor contract performance and optimize the use of high-acuity treatment slots.
• Coach and develop team members, fostering a high-performance culture and supporting professional growth.
• Represent the organization in clinical forums, workgroups, and stakeholder meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

BACKGROUND CHECK ELIGIBLE DUTIES

• This position will have access to various applications that house confidential information, including county records, employee demographic and private behavioral health information; ensure that access is used responsibly, maintaining the integrity and security of systems while preventing accidental or malicious misuse. 

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

A Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field is required, along with current clinical certification/licensure (LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or equivalent). A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in clinical program management, behavioral health services, or related healthcare settings is required, with at least five (5) years in a leadership role.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential functions satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

• Expertise as a seasoned clinical professional with a comprehensive understanding of behavioral health practices, policies, and regulatory environments, including State Hospital protocols and other state and federal regulations.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use data and metrics to improve clinical services and drive continuous program improvement.
• Effective leadership abilities, with a strategic mindset and a passion for driving impactful clinical initiatives that align with organizational goals.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for engaging with diverse stakeholders, including clinical teams, county partners, and contracted treatment providers.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple clinical initiatives, coordinate resources, and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop team members, fostering a high-performance culture that supports professional growth.
• Commitment to quality and compliance in clinical program implementation.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills in complex clinical settings.
• Demonstrated  resilience in adapting to challenges and responding to changes in the behavioral health landscape.
• Dependable performance with a strong sense of responsibility for coordinating and completing comprehensive projects within established timelines.
• Must be willing to travel as needed.
• Must be able to work a full-time schedule to lead/manage a team of full-time team members, with the majority of work time spent during business hours.

Preferred Attributes: 

• Expertise in high-acuity treatment programs, such as State Hospital placements, LPS-designated services, and other specialty behavioral health programs. 
• A passion for innovation and strategic thinking to drive clinical service delivery improvements and program growth. 
• Familiarity with managing and coordinating care for individuals with complex behavioral health needs, including forensic and high-acuity populations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Current clinical licensure (LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or equivalent).  

COMPUTER SKILLS: Demonstrate the ability to use a computer and applicable computer software effectively. Intermediate knowledge of Excel & Word, Adobe, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Program management tool experience is required. Salesforce experience is preferred, but contract management technology experience is required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS AND MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Demonstrate the ability to read, comprehend, and respond appropriately through written or verbal form; ability to communicate with a variety of audiences effectively. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all measure units, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

REASONING: Demonstrate the ability to effectively apply critical thinking throughout job duties and responsibilities; follow through on all related tasks; demonstrate the ability to execute job duties independently or as a project lead; demonstrate excellent analytical skills; demonstrate the ability to efficiently conduct research and ask appropriate probing questions to complete necessary tasks.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and stand; use phone and headset; use hands, arms, fingers to type; answer phones; write; use calculator; demonstrate strength to lift and carry materials weighing up to 10 pounds; demonstrate clear vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; and drive a motor vehicle on public roads and highways.

SENSORY DEMANDS: The incumbent must spend long hours in intense concentration. The incumbent must also spend long hours on the computer entering information which requires attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.

MENTAL DEMANDS: There are several deadlines associated with this position, which may cause significant pressure. The incumbent must also attend to a wide variety of individuals regarding various issues. 

REGULAR WORK SCHEDULE: Schedule varies depending on business needs; however, regular company business hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday – Friday.