Director of Residential Services – STRTP Head of Service

ABOUT LA CHEIM

La Cheim has been providing a robust continuum of care for nearly 50 years to help children and adults who were previously unreachable. Our non-public school, community mental health center, therapeutic behavioral services program, and Short-Term Residential Treatment Program offer educational and mental health services throughout Alameda and Contra Costa County. 

Our team is made up of teachers, art therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, RNs, social workers, MFTs, and mentors who are known for their caliber and compassion. They create life-changing experiences for those they serve. All La Cheim programs embrace and apply a Trauma-Informed approach to addressing emotional and behavioral issues.

By joining La Cheim you will be part of a supportive community serving an inspiration mission. You will enjoy rich benefits, valuable training and wellness opportunities, close support, and room to grow. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Director of Residential Services/Head of Service (HOS) serves as the executive leader of La Cheim's Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP). Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the HOS is responsible for the overall clinical, operational, fiscal, regulatory, and strategic leadership of the STRTP. The HOS ensures compliance with California Community Care Licensing (CCLD), Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health requirements, county contracts, CARF accreditation standards, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations while promoting trauma-informed, culturally responsive, youth-centered services.

WORK SCHEDULE & ON-SITE EXPECTATIONS 

1. Maintains a consistent on-site presence to support clinical supervision, staff development, and program oversight, including minimum on-site requirement as determined by program needs
2. Demonstrates flexibility to support program needs, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and participation in on-call or leadership coverage as assigned.

This role works collaboratively with the STRTP Administrator but does not assume operational, fiscal, or administrative authority.

You will be required to work one weekend (Saturday and Sunday) every three weeks on a rotating basis, according to a schedule established by the STRTP Leadership Team.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

1. Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related behavioral health field.
2. Meet California STRTP Head of Service qualification requirements and, when applicable, hold an active California LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, Psychologist, RN, or other qualifying credential, or serve under permitted clinical direction as allowed by regulation.
3. Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in STRTP, residential treatment, behavioral health, child welfare, or a related setting.
4. Experience in service delivery to youth
5. Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams and managing regulatory compliance.
6. Team-oriented personality
7. Must have a valid California Driver License and car insurance.
8. Must be able to pass all required tests and clearances (Live Scan (DOJ, FBI, Guardian) TB test, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience with CARF accreditation.
2. Knowledge of Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health and county contracting.
3. Experience with electronic health records and quality improvement systems.
4. Bilingual abilities are desirable.
5. Previous experience integrating Trauma-Informed Care principles.

PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES

1. Functions as a “team player,” prioritizing the organization’s best interests.
2. Proactively identifies opportunities for improvement and ways to contribute.
3. Exhibits creativity, adaptability, openness, and a high level of professionalism.
4. Possesses strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
5. Maintains confidentiality with discretion.
6. Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills.
7. Works effectively independently and pays close attention to detail.
8. Collaborates well with other agency staff.
9. Outstanding organizational and time management abilities.
10. Exhibit a strong professional commitment and represent La Cheim effectively while engaging with the community.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The following is the extent of the specific activity required for this position:

Ability to work in office and residential environments; travel between sites; respond to emergencies; occasionally lift up to 25 pounds; and safely interact with youth experiencing behavioral crises. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

1. Stairs – climbing stairs up to 50-100 – up to 2-4 hours, not continuously.
2. Sitting – up to 2 hours, not continuously; standing – up to 4 hours, not continuously
3. Walking – up to 2 hours, not continuously; bending over – up to 1 hour, not continuously.
4. Crawling – up to 0 hours; climbing – up to 0 hours, reaching overhead – up to a few minutes.
5. Crouching – up to ½ hour, not continuously; kneeling – up to a few minutes
6. Balancing – up to 0 hours; pushing or pulling – up to a few minutes.
7. Lifting or carrying – 25 pounds or less; repetitive use of feet – up to 0 hours
8. Repetitive use of hands – up to 0 hours
9. Grasping – with one or both, simple and firm, for up to 1 hour, not continuously
10. Fine dexterity - either hand up to 1 hour, not continuously Auditory and visual acuity – 8 hours within normal limits and maybe with glasses, contact lenses or hearing aids.
11. Driving cars and vans; Exposure to uneven concrete and blacktop
12. Exposure to normal dust, heat, and noise
13. Exposure to emotionally disturbed students who may be physically and verbally violent and require safe physical management.
14. Frequent exposure to office equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Executive Leadership

1. Provide strategic leadership and direction for all STRTP operations.
2. Develop annual goals, strategic initiatives, and program performance measures.
3. Advise the Executive Team regarding residential services, emerging regulations, and community needs.
4. Represent the agency with counties, regulators, community partners, and stakeholders.

Clinical Leadership

1. Ensure Specialty Mental Health Services are delivered in accordance with California requirements.
2. Provide clinical supervision in accordance with licensure requirements.
3. Lead interdisciplinary treatment planning and monitor clinical outcomes.
4. Collaborate with psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, schools, and county partners.
5. Provide therapeutic services, crisis prevention, intervention, and safety planning as needed.
6. Ensure confidentiality and required clinical documentation.
7. Supervise clinical interns and rehabilitation specialists.
8. Work directly with psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners.
9. Foster relationships with community resources to meet client needs.
10. Provide general supervision of client and support client participation in culturally and linguistically responsive programming.
11. Practice ethical decision-making and self-evaluation.

Residential Operations

1. Ensure a safe therapeutic milieu operating 24/7.
2. Oversee admissions, referrals, census, discharge planning, and aftercare coordination.
3. Monitor staffing levels and scheduling to meet licensing ratios.
4. Maintain compliance with STRTP licensing standards and CARF accreditation requirements while ensuring a safe, clean, organized, and well-maintained residential environment, including oversight of program supplies.
5. Ensure communication among nursing, school staff, clinicians, administration, and STRTP staff.
6. Attend CFT and CARE meetings as needed.

Staff Supervision & Workforce Development

1. Supervisor to: Program Administrator, House Managers, Clinical Staff, Nursing staff, Direct Care Staff, Quality/Administrative Staff
2. Hire, orient, coach, evaluate, and develop supervisors and staff.
3. Ensure required licensing and annual trainings are completed.
4. Promote an inclusive, respectful, and accountable workplace.
5. Participate in team meetings.

Quality, Compliance & Risk

1. Lead Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).
2. Prepare for and lead CCLD, DHCS, county, and CARF audits.
3. Monitor corrective action plans and compliance dashboards.
4. Oversee Special Incident Reports, abuse reporting, investigations, grievance processes, and required notifications.
5. Ensure documentation and organization for Quality Improvement.
6. Review 24-hour communication logs.

Medication & Health Services

1. Oversee medication management systems with nursing staff.
2. Review medication errors, reconciliation processes, storage, and documentation.
3. Coordinate with medical providers regarding youth health needs.

Fiscal & Contract Management

1. Lead, develop, and monitor the program budget, grants, and county contracts.
2. Ensure accurate Medi-Cal documentation, utilization review, and billing compliance.
3. Ensure timely submission of utilization review.

Emergency Preparedness

1. Oversee emergency response plans, drills, disaster preparedness, and business continuity.
2. Participate in the executive on-call rotation and respond to significant incidents.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Complete all required trainings as assigned
2. Attend all mandatory meetings
3. Meet regularly for individual oversight with supervisor(s)
4. Other duties may be required as La Cheim continues its development. Employees are expected to be flexible and responsive to changes in the scope of duties.
5. Understand and embody La Cheim's philosophy, organizational culture, and communication channels by practicing a collaborative approach.
6. Complete any additional tasks assigned by the Supervisor, Department Head, and/or CEO