Director of Clinical Services

Opengate is committed to establishing and maintaining a continuum of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which include residential, day, home, and community-based services. The Director of Clinical Services is responsible for providing and overseeing comprehensive clinical services for people residing at Opengate Inc., including the coordination of social work, behavioral services, speech and language services and dietary services.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide direct and indirect supervision/oversight to Assistant Director of Clinical Services, agency Behavior Intervention Specialists (BIS), and Qualified Intellectual Disability Professionals (QIDP).
• Responsible for oversight and coordination of the Agency intake process and filling vacancies.
• Responsible for screening and hiring of new clinical staff, as needed and coordinate orientation, training, and mentorship for new employees.
• Meet regularly with department to review clinical caseloads, ensuring the effective implementation of treatment, programming, clinical methods, and best practices
• Evaluate current programming and make data-driven decisions to evaluate opportunities and the need to make programmatic adjustments that support innovation or enhancements within programs/department.
• Expected to make site visits during program hours to observe residents and program participants, to evaluate the effectiveness of program plans and to provide role modeling for staff.
• Ensure process and quality checks are built within programming and evaluated regularly for effectiveness.
• Lead and foster the provision of crisis intervention services both internally and liaise with external entities, when needed to leverage additional support.
• Track and monitor required Informed Consents, Human Rights Consents, Behavior Plans and all other documentation as mandated and required.
• Develop and implement departmental policies and procedures, as needed. Seek out and keep abreast of new/revised OPWDD regulations and Administrative Memorandums pertinent to clinical services and implement departmental training.
• Conduct periodic, unscheduled reviews of required documentation in day and residential programs.
• Track and monitor staff training and ensure the fidelity of all components of behavior programming/implementation.
• Participate on Internal Committees, as assigned.
• Demonstrate an effective, adaptive leadership style that promotes innovation, accountability and establishes work priorities.
• Interacts with employees regarding clinical issues, providing program support as necessary, acting as a bridge between the programs and clinical department.
• Coordinate (in collaboration with the Training Coordinator) to provide in-service training for employees.
• Assists the Clinical team in the development of new clinical/habilitative programs for the people Opengate serves.
• Chairs the Intake/Discharge Committee overseeing Opengate’s intake and discharge procedures.
• Member of the Human Rights Committee, reviewing and signing off on behavioral programs, ensuring programs are individualized, meaningful and meet regulatory guidelines.
• Serves as a liaison between Opengate and the relatives/advocates of people receiving services, other agencies and Department Heads on matters pertaining to social programs or issues.
• Participates in crisis intervention issues providing clinical input based on the individuals’ social goals and objectives, during working hours as well as. after hours, on an on-call basis.
• Participates at Interdisciplinary Team meetings for purposes of planning, implementation and monitoring of individual plans.
• Participates in Administrator-on-Call (AOC) rotation.
• Responsible for ensuring operational continuity, including providing acting coverage for absences and vacancies.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in psychology or related human service field required.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in good standing, required.
• OPWDD Experience preferred.
• Minimum of five years experience working with people with Autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Demonstrates competency in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
• Knowledge and experience in the development of data-based curriculum goals and the ability to develop behavior support/intervention plans based on functions of behavior.
• Proven management experience, including an accessible, direct, transparent, and collaborative working style that motivates and inspires staff and colleagues to work cohesively.
• Demonstrates ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, objectivity and ability to anticipate needs.
• Critical thinking and sound judgment skills are necessary.
• Computer proficiency required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to represent the Agency in public and with governmental and private agencies.

Physical Requirements

• This position is a non-sedentary role; requires frequent standing and walking.
• Able to lift 50 or more pounds and the ability to turn, lift and assist individuals with movement.
• This position operates in a professional office environment.
• This position routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Some filing is required requiring the ability to move files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.

Opengate is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, domestic or civil union partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, transgender status, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, education, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. The Company promotes inclusion and acceptance of all protected classes.

In order to promote and maintain a community culture, employees hired to work at Opengate must legally reside and perform their work in the state of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania.