Director Clinical Operations Jobs in Waterloo, IA

When our neighbours are hurting, we want to help in the healing. 

Come join us at ELEVATE, where our goal is to set the bar higher. We are a group of deeply committed people working together to provide each member-client with the services and assistance they need for meaningful progress in leading their best life. Our mission is to elevate care by serving our members when, where, and how they want.

Position Summary

The Clinical Director provides leadership, oversight, and clinical supervision for behavioral health and substance use disorder programming. This position is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based, and person-centered care for individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders.

The Clinical Director oversees the daily clinical operations and flow of services, supports compliance and quality improvement initiatives, provides direct clinical care, and supervises clinical staff and interns. This role includes therapy services within the ACT program and facilitation of therapeutic groups within the Strive Recovery program. The Clinical Director plays a key role in staff development, admissions review and ensuring continuity of care across programs.

Job Responsibilities:

Clinical Leadership & Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight of clinical programming and service delivery across behavioral health programs.

• Oversee the daily flow and coordination of clinic services to ensure timely access, continuity of care, and operational efficiency.

• Ensure clinical practices align with agency policies, licensing requirements, payer standards, and evidence-based practices.

• Monitor service delivery outcomes and participate in quality improvement initiatives.

• Support implementation of trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered care models.

Direct Clinical Services

• Provide individual, family, and/or therapeutic services to individuals enrolled in the ACT Program.

• Facilitate therapeutic and psychoeducational groups for the Strive Recovery Program, including individuals experiencing substance use and co-occurring disorders.

• Complete clinical assessments, treatment planning, progress documentation, and discharge planning as appropriate.

• Support crisis prevention, stabilization planning, and coordination of behavioral health services.

Admissions & Clinical Review

• Review referrals and admissions to determine clinical appropriateness and level of care needs.

• Participate in intake review and admission decisions to ensure alignment with program eligibility and treatment needs.

• Provide guidance regarding treatment recommendations and service coordination.

 Supervision & Staff Development

• Provide clinical oversight, supervision, and mentorship to clinicians and clinical staff.

• Manage and oversee student interns, including supervision, learning opportunities, and performance feedback.

• Assist with onboarding, training, and development of new clinicians.

• Promote clinical excellence through coaching, case consultation, and ongoing education.

Program Operations & Compliance

• Ensure timely and accurate completion of clinical documentation and compliance standards.

• Participate in audits, chart reviews, and quality assurance activities.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care and positive outcomes.

• Maintain knowledge of current best practices in behavioral health, SUD treatment, and co-occurring disorders.

• Strong knowledge of mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorder treatment.

• Knowledge of recovery-oriented systems of care and medication-assisted treatment principles preferred.

• Excellent clinical judgment and decision-making abilities.

• Strong leadership, organizational, and supervisory skills.

• Ability to train, mentor, and support clinical staff.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced clinical environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary

• Medical, Dental and Vision plans

• Vacation Plan

• Paid Time Off

• Paid Holidays

• 401k match

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, Counseling, Psychology, or related behavioral health field required.

• Active and unrestricted Iowa licensure as a:

• Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) or

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

• Minimum 3–5 years of clinical experience in behavioral health and/or substance use treatment settings.

• Demonstrated experience working with individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), severe mental illness (SMI), and co-occurring mental health disorders.

• Previous supervisory, leadership, or clinical oversight experience preferred.

• Experience with evidence-based interventions, crisis intervention, and integrated behavioral health care.

ELEVATE is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for all employment, free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preferences, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.