Therapeutic Director

Under the direction of Director – START, the Therapeutic Director oversees and directs all operations and daily

programing of the START/CSIDD Resource Center ensuring fidelity to the START model and compliance with

programmatic requirements. Ensures timely and complete data collection by Resource Center staff and appropriate

documentation of assessments and activities, including daily progress and behavioral progress reports. Works closely

with the START director, team leader(s) and clinical director to ensure guests’ needs are met and to provide feedback

on guests’ progress at the Resource Center to inform clinical and therapeutic plans and goals.

Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Oversees the milieu and therapeutic programming of the START Resource Center including the planning and implementation of structured therapeutic programming and therapeutic groups, assigning duties and ensuring the appropriate, documented level of supervision to protect the health and/or safety of guests.
• Coordinates with START coordinators regarding admissions and discharges, receiving and sharing information regarding supports, communicating updates and assisting, as needed.
• Provides administrative supervision and oversight of Resource Center assistant supervisors and counselors, regularly directing program operations and therapeutic interventions, assessing needs and team performance.
• Maintains appropriate 24/7 staffing and coverage for the Resource Center, actively participating in the hiring process, selecting qualified staff and scheduling staff accordingly.
• Facilitates hands-on training in leading therapeutic activities for staff, ensuring that all staff are appropriately observed, trained and materials are available as needed.
• Tracks trainings, certifications and other credentialing for all Resource Center staff to maintain compliance with applicable requirements.
• Ensures that the Resource Center team meets benchmarks identified by START for conducting appropriate number of designated activities on a monthly and daily basis, including community trainings and leading at least one therapeutic group per day.
• Provides and/or supervises direct care to guests including assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) as necessary.
• Assists counselors with facilitating accomplishment of guests’ goals and objectives, regularly providing feedback and supporting successful therapeutic interventions.
• Ensures and assists with data collection, appropriately documenting progress and reports participation in and benefit of therapeutic activities for guests.
• Provides de-escalation and intervention supports for guests experiencing stress and assists staff with implementing effective techniques, redirecting and/or prompting guests, as needed.
• Communicates with the START clinical team regarding guest responses to interventions and shares information regarding behaviors, signs, symptoms, setting events, triggers and reports effective interventions.
• Convenes and facilitates recurring staff meetings to share information regarding admissions, discharges and/or updates with Resource Center staff and/or clinical team.
• Serves as a member of the START leadership team, working closely with the START Director, team leader(s) and Clinical Director to provide information and updates regarding Resource Center operations, guest progress, success of interventions and related therapeutic information.  
• Ensures timely, accurate and complete documentation by Resource Center staff by reviewing and approving daily notes and ensuring goals are entered accordingly in appropriate system(s).
• Maintains contact with families and providers upon admission to the center to share information and updates or communicate progress.
• Develops discharge plans for all guests utilizing emergency center services in close collaboration with the Clinical Director.
• Utilizes daily notes and data collected to develop discharge summaries for guests in collaboration with coordinators, clinical and medical directors and Resource Center staff.
• Attends YAI, NCSS leadership, and other START leadership, clinical team and program operation meetings and/or trainings as required or requested.
• Provides on-call support to Resource Center staff including answering calls, questions and securing coverage as needed; reports to Resource Center to assist with significant issues, if required.
• Performs all other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g., lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)

• Master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human service field, or related field; and
  • At least three (3) years of experience in a residential setting and/or working in behavioral crisis intervention with individuals with cooccurring diagnoses in the I/DD field, including or supplemented by at least one (1) year of residential supervisory experience; or
  • Satisfactory combination of education, experience and/or training.
• Must hold or obtain START Coordinator Certification within 12 months of appointment.
• Ability to regularly respond to calls and programmatic needs beyond regular work hours to support Resource Center.
• Ability to travel to other regions within state of operations and/or to other states as needed for meetings, NCSS events or as requested.
• Exceptional interpersonal, problem solving and communication skills.
• Willingness to take initiative.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and to support team with behavioral/mental health crises as they occur.
• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms; use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; assisting with lifting/moving individuals of any weight with or without assistance of equipment and/or other staff; lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds on occasion; having the physical capacity to work with and implement emergency interventions as per the person’s Individual Behavior Support Plan and Individual Emergency Intervention Plan, if/as needed.

Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above)

• Current START Coordinator Certification
• Knowledge of START/CSIDD and/or OPWDD rules, regulations and requirements.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.