Associate Programs Director

BRIDGES TO CHANGE INC•Portland, OR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The full-time Associate Clinical Programs Director provides clinical leadership and oversight for behavioral health services and programs within BTC. Serving as the licensed clinical leader across the organization, this role oversees the delivery of mental health, co-occurring, and integrated care services and ensures they are accessible, evidence-based, culturally responsive, and aligned with the needs of BTC’s diverse participant populations. The Associate Clinical Programs Director is responsible for providing clinical supervision to licensed, associate-level, and intern clinicians; supporting clinically informed care within non-clinical programs through the supervision of program managers; and monitoring the quality and effectiveness of services across assigned programs. This position works collaboratively with matrixed leaders including operations, programs, and administrative teams, to ensure coordinated service delivery and integration of behavioral health practices across BTC. Additionally, the Associate Clinical Programs Director supports the development of staff competence through training, consultation, coaching, and skill-building. This role promotes trauma-informed, culturally affirming, and recovery-oriented practices while ensuring timely, accurate billing and high standards of clinical documentation. The Associate Clinical Programs Director plays a critical role in elevating clinical quality, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, and supporting positive outcomes for participants across BTC programs.

Requirements

Master's degree in counseling, social work or similar field, required
Independent behavioral health license (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, PsyD, or equivalent), required
CADC-I, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire, required
Meets Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) section 309-019-1025 for clinical supervisors in a substance use disorder treatment programs
Minimum 2 years clinical supervision experience, required
Minimum of three years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit or behavioral health settings, required
State ORCHARDS BCU background check clearance, required
Valid driver’s license, personal vehicle with active registration and liability insurance and acceptable driving record in accordance with Bridge’s to Change’s auto liability policy requirements, required
Demonstrated competency in supporting participants from diverse genders and communities, including understanding how social determinants, systemic inequities, and cultural factors influence engagement, safety needs, and recovery goals
Strong operational leadership skills with demonstrated success overseeing program operations, managing projects, implementing strategic initiatives, and coordinating services across multiple program types (behavioral health, housing, community-based services, etc.)
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain clear professional and therapeutic boundaries while engaging participants with empathy, respect, and clinical intention
Strong communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to facilitate difficult conversations, support staff performance, and engage collaboratively with internal teams and external partners
Demonstrated ability to identify operational and service gaps and collaborate with community partners, leadership, and multidisciplinary teams to implement solutions that improve outcomes
Advanced clinical documentation skills, with the ability to produce and audit accurate, concise, and timely records that meet Medicaid, regulatory, and internal quality standards
Advanced computer literacy, including proficiency with Word, Outlook, Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, communication tools and ability to support staff in utilizing these systems effectively
Ability to recognize and respond to clinical and operational concerns, including co-occurring disorders, risk factors, workflow breakdowns, and barriers to care, and to intervene appropriately within scope while supporting staff decision-making
Experience with crisis prevention, de-escalation, and intervention strategies, including the ability to remain calm, regulated, and exercise sound clinical judgment in high-stress situations
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail, service quality, and compliance requirements
Knowledge of evidence-based and recovery-oriented behavioral health practices, including individual and group counseling dynamics, rapport building, and methods for supporting client engagement
Ability to work effectively within diverse, interdisciplinary teams and to promote a collaborative, inclusive, and equity-informed workplace culture
Strong commitment to ethical practice, confidentiality, and adherence to professional standards and regulatory guidelines applicable to the role and level of credentialing

Responsibilities

Exercise independent clinical judgment and decision-making in overseeing behavioral health service delivery, guiding clinicians through complex clinical presentations, high-risk situations, and care-planning decisions.
Set clinical priorities, ensure continuity and quality of care, and serve as the primary clinical authority for assigned programs, making final decisions on complex or escalated clinical matters.
Provide individual and group clinical supervision to licensed, associate-level, and intern clinicians; in alignment with OAR guidelines to enhance skill development and strengthen clinical practice, ensuring compliance with regulatory and organizational expectations.
Lead behavioral health quality assurance efforts, including auditing, training, documentation review, regulatory compliance, and implementation of best-practice treatment models.
Oversee clinical documentation and billing practices to ensure accuracy, timeliness, Medicaid compliance, and adherence to fee-for-service productivity requirements.
Collaborate with program and clinical leadership to ensure coordinated care, consistent intake and discharge workflows, and accessible, participant-centered services.
Provide culturally responsive and affirming clinical services as needed, maintaining fidelity to evidence-based and trauma-informed models.
Support hiring, onboarding, and retention of clinical staff, while fostering a positive, inclusive, and growth-oriented workplace culture.
Maintain strong partnerships with graduate programs to support intern placements and enhance workforce development pipelines.
Lead or support program development initiatives by assessing needs, refining workflows, enhancing assessments and screenings, and contributing to clinical curriculum and intervention improvements.
Ensure adequate staffing coverage by overseeing scheduling and delegation, supporting leaders in managing gaps in coverage, and coordinating operational responses to maintain continuity of care and program operations.
Represent BTC in multidisciplinary and community partner meetings, strengthening relationships and ensuring coordinated, community-focused service delivery.
Proactively identify participant, staff, compliance and program risks, taking ownership for timely mitigation by implementing appropriate interventions, escalating concerns to senior leadership, and ensuring documentation and follow-through in alignment with organizational policies.
Provide leadership during critical incidents and crises, ensuring staff compliance with established procedures, activating onsite support and Narcan administration as required, and overseeing complete, accurate incident documentation and resolution.
Uphold organizational and credentialing ethics, including professional boundaries, confidentiality, and trauma-informed communication standards.
Participate in regular supervision, team meetings, and training as assigned.
Adhere to organizational policies and procedures, confidentiality regulations, and all applicable federal and state behavioral health standards.

Benefits

11 Paid Holidays
5 Additional Paid Days: 3 Self-Care, 1 Birthday, 1 Personal Holiday
Generous PTO policy and Sabbatical
Employer Paid Medical, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability and Employee Assistance Program
Voluntary Dental, Vision, FSA, Long Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident Coverage, Hospital Indemnity and Pet Insurance
5% Retirement Match with no waiting period
Annual bonus program
Annual professional development allotment
Mileage reimbursement at federal rate for work related travel
Inclusive workplace culture
Bilingual wage differential