Enhanced Step Down Program-Program Director Position Available In Nassau, New York

Enhanced Step Down Program-Program Director 3.0 3.0 out of 5 stars Bethpage, NY

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Senior Vice President of Clinical and Crisis Services, the Program Director (PD) leads the Enhanced Step-Down Program (ESDP) for individuals with co-occurring mental health (MH) and intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). The PD is responsible for administrative and clinical leadership of both program components: The Specialty Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Team and the Transitional Residential Setting (TRS). The Program Director ensures integration and fidelity of both models, promotes clinical excellence, and guides the team in delivering trauma-informed, person-centered care in accordance with the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) standards.

DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Directs the overall implementation, quality, and evolution of the ESDP model Establishes community relationships and serves as liaison to community partners such as Emergency Departments (ED), inpatient psychiatric units (both Article 28 and 31), Care Management Organizations, and Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Programs (CPEP). Maintains relationships with Nassau County Department of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency, & Developmental Disabilities and Services, Suffolk County’s Division of Community Mental Hygiene Services, OMH, and OPWDD. Collaborates with

OMH/OPWDD

on training, fidelity monitoring, and policy alignment. Guides strategic initiatives to improve program outcomes and support seamless transitions from inpatient settings to the community. Collects feedback from and collaborates with clinical team members and specialists in the community to identify, design, and implement training/support needs of the community. Assists in the development and implementation of ESD Best Practices and Policies and Procedures. Assists with growth of the programs via networking internally and externally in conjunction with other departments. Provides consistent supervision to both the Residential Clinical Coordinator (TRS) and the Team Leader (CTI). Ensures strict adherence to the CTI and TRS models’ core principles and practices through supervision, training, documentation review, and performance monitoring. Leads quality assurance efforts, using data-driven insights and performance metrics to drive continuous improvement. Oversees documentation reviews to ensure regulatory compliance with OMH, OPWDD, and agency requirements. Conducts joint clinical supervision sessions with both leaders to promote communication, ensure continuity of care, and enhance resource sharing between branches. Facilitate collaborative leadership to align clinical and operational goals, ensuring a unified team approach. Enables the collaboration between FREE, OMH, OPWDD and other entities to facilitate the cooperation of supports and services, in person and virtually. Works with FREE’s Accounting/Finance Department and leadership team to ensure all required reporting for the county contract occurs as required. Works with the leadership team to ensure the continuity and consistency of enrollment of individuals for services. Provides crisis intervention in response to individuals’ behavioral and emotional needs, including support to individuals, families, and team members, in person and virtually. Provides supervision, guidance, and direction to all assigned team members on an ongoing basis. Ensures all team members are fulfilling their roles and responsibilities. Addresses performance issues through performance improvement or corrective action measures. Identifies and addresses training needs across CTI and TRS teams. Facilitates skill-building workshops, role-plays, and targeted training to reinforce key competencies (e.g., engagement, assessment, care planning, care coordination). Provides supportive coaching and constructive feedback to foster professional growth and maintain a culture of excellence and accountability. Interviews, hires, develops, and retains high quality staff. Participates in case reviews and clinical consultations across the CTI and TRS branches. Supports the development of accurate diagnostic assessments and positive behavioral support plans. Ensures timely and individualized care transitions with a strong emphasis on empowerment, recovery, and independence. Collaborates with Senior Vice President of Clinical & Crisis Services to manage team members’ time worked in the program while ensuring there are sufficient team members to meet the needs of the people served at all times. Addresses emergency situations as they occur in the program according to established policies and procedures, and ensure communication of such situations in a timely fashion. Attends in-service training programs, clinical and academic conferences, workshops, and other educational presentations to maintain current knowledge of relevant clinical issues and techniques. Adheres to flexible schedule that reflects the needs of the program(s). Prevents, recognizes, and reports abuse toward the people we support. Provides 24/7 coverage and support to ESD Program. Ensures the collection of required data and documentation on consumer access and utilization of both the Specialized CTI and TRS services. Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed /processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds. Performs other duties as assigned. Responsibilities of All FREE Employees Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community. Complies fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees. Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk. Coordinates, supports, attends and participates in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/ committees, including ones outside of standard working hours. Meets all job requirements and stays in compliance. Adheres to FREE’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations. Responsibilities of FREE Employees in

Leadership/Management Positions:

Ensures compliance with FREE policies, procedures, and operating standards. Implements a continuous quality improvement process for department services and administrative functions. Assists in the development, implementation and administration of Human Resources policies and programs including compliance with Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action Programs. Please note the above duties, responsibilities, and essential functions are a non-exhaustive list, and may be changed by FREE at any time, with or without notice to the employee.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Master’s Degree in social work, psychology, counseling or other human service field required

Experience:

Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience required Minimum of seven (7) years of experience working with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and/or Mental Health Diagnoses with at least three (3) years being post licensure experience required

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities:

LCSW, LMHC, LMSW or another related licensure is required

Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications:

Complete the CTI certification process within 12 months of hiring Complete 9.58 designation certification within 6 months of hiring Complete

I-CONECT

training through OMH within 6 months of hiring

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities:

Knowledge of OMH and OPWDD practices, policies, and regulations Computer literacy required; familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite Experience with Testing/Screening instruments that include the following areas: cognitive and behavior functioning; adaptive behavior; mental health and personality assessments; behavioral and emotional functioning; autism spectrum and developmental disorders; trauma and risk assessment; and substance use screenings Some experience with Behavior Modification Must be able to motivate, lead and coach others Must be efficient, well organized, and have excellent communication skills Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keeping others informed and anticipating needs is essential

Other Requirements:

Valid driver’s license and satisfy criteria to be an agency driver for FREE required Ability to be on call Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, according to program needs as required A current PPD (tuberculosis) test or equivalent screening (will be administered upon hire if needed) A physical examination completed within the last year by a licensed healthcare provider Up-to-date immunization records, which may include (but are not limited to) MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Influenza, and COVID-19, in accordance with hospital system protocols and applicable public health guidelines

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role is performed in-person, some travel within FREE Network and other relevant locations required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours). Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets. Employee might be required to lift/move light items. Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE.