Program Director - Behavioral Health Operations
Listed compensation
$60k-$75k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Now Hiring: Program Director – Behavioral Health Operations
OMHC | Substance Use Disorder (SUD) | Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP)
- Elite Healthcare, Inc.
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- Position: Part Time or Full-Time, Onsite
- Compensation: Competitive, based on experience and qualifications
About the Position
Elite Healthcare is seeking an experienced, motivated, and results-driven Program Director to assume full responsibility for the organization's daily operations.
Our organization provides behavioral health services, including outpatient mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and psychiatric rehabilitation.
We are looking for a strong operational leader who can independently manage clinic activities, supervise personnel, ensure regulatory compliance, strengthen service delivery, and lead efforts to grow the organization.
The Program Director will report to executive leadership but will be expected to manage routine operations independently.
Key Responsibilities
Clinic Operations and Leadership
Assume primary responsibility for day-to-day clinic operations across OMHC, SUD, and PRP programs.
Direct administrative personnel, program managers, intake coordinators, and other assigned staff.
Ensure adequate staffing, scheduling, patient access, and uninterrupted service delivery.
Develop and enforce operational policies, procedures, and staff accountability standards.
Resolve routine staffing, patient service, and operational challenges without requiring daily executive intervention.
Compliance and Quality Management
Maintain compliance with applicable Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration, COMAR, Medicaid, and payer requirements.
Coordinate with appropriately credentialed clinical and medical leadership to ensure required clinical supervision and oversight.
Monitor documentation quality, treatment plan completion, authorizations, and audit readiness.
Oversee corrective action plans, incident follow-up, and continuous quality improvement.
Program Growth and Development
Develop and implement strategies to increase appropriate referrals, admissions, and patient engagement.
Build and maintain relationships with hospitals, clinics, treatment programs, community organizations, and referral partners.
Identify opportunities to strengthen and expand existing services.
Monitor referral conversion, patient census, retention, and program utilization.
Establish measurable growth goals in collaboration with executive leadership.
Financial and Operational Accountability
Monitor staff productivity, operational costs, and resource utilization.
Work closely with billing personnel to reduce avoidable claim denials and documentation-related revenue loss.
Identify operational inefficiencies and implement cost-effective solutions.
Prepare monthly operational reports covering census, productivity, staffing, compliance, revenue-cycle issues, and program growth.
Staff Management
Lead recruitment, onboarding, training, performance evaluations, and disciplinary processes within delegated authority.
Establish measurable expectations for employees.
Promote professionalism, teamwork, ethical practices, and patient-centered care.
Qualifications
Required
Minimum five years of relevant behavioral health, human services, or healthcare operational experience preferred, including at least two years in a leadership or supervisory role.
Demonstrated ability to manage daily operations in an outpatient behavioral health setting.
Working knowledge of Maryland behavioral health regulatory requirements.
Experience supervising staff, improving operational processes, and managing performance.
Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently and take accountability for results.
Education and credentials sufficient for the regulatory responsibilities assigned to the position.
Professional Credentials
Candidates with the following credentials are encouraged to apply:
CAC-AD – Certified Associate Counselor–Alcohol and Drug
LCADC – Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor
LCPC – Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
LCSW-C – Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical
Other applicable Maryland behavioral health credentials or qualifying graduate education
CAC-AD candidates are welcome and will be considered based on their education, management experience, operational capabilities, and eligibility for the specific regulatory duties assigned. And have to be an approved SUD Supervisor.
Strongly Preferred
Previous experience managing Maryland OMHC, SUD, or PRP programs.
Experience overseeing more than one behavioral health service line.
Demonstrated success growing patient census and developing referral relationships.
Familiarity with Medicaid billing, payer authorizations, electronic health records, and quality assurance.
Experience preparing for regulatory surveys, inspections, or accreditation reviews.
What Success Looks Like
The successful Program Director will:
Maintain organized, compliant, and efficient daily clinic operations.
Build a dependable team that performs with limited executive intervention.
Improve staff productivity and documentation compliance.
Increase appropriate referrals, admissions, and patient engagement.
Reduce avoidable operational and revenue-cycle problems.
Provide executive leadership with accurate performance reports and practical recommendations.
Reporting Structure
The Program Director reports directly to executive leadership and will have delegated authority to manage routine operational decisions, staff accountability, and program performance.
Executive leadership will retain oversight of organizational strategy, major financial commitments, and significant policy decisions.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume.
Please highlight your professional credentials, management experience, knowledge of Maryland OMHC/SUD/PRP operations, and examples of programs you have helped improve or grow.
- Website: elitehcsi.com
- Application Email: care@elitehcsi.com
- Subject: Program Director Application – Elite Healthcare
Elite Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualifications
- Experience
- 5+ years of experience
Key Skills
Healthcare Professional Career Context
Of the 40 active healthcare listings this role was benchmarked against, 35% are remote, 20% have no call, 70% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Maryland is 105.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$68k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $64k in an average-cost state. 62.9% of Maryland clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$64k in purchasing power | Maryland index 105.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| healthcare listings in Maryland | 35 active | 2,077 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 35% remote · 20% no call · 70% no weekends40 benchmarked listings |
| healthcare pay trend | −14.3% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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