Head of Service/Clinical Director

Company: Mary's Path
Location: Santa Ana
Posted on: February 21, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Role Summary Mary's Path changes lives Two at a Time. Pregnant and parenting teenage moms in the foster care system are placed with us. These teen moms who have been abused/neglected/trafficked for sex find a safe place to heal from their trauma, get back on the path to finish high school, and learn to be loving parents. We aim to break the cycle of poverty and abuse and show these teen moms they can live lives of dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency. As Clinical Director/Head of Service, you are responsible for the overall clinical and programmatic functioning of the Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) at Mary’s Path. You serve as the primary clinical supervisor and are primarily responsible for all behavioral health functions to ensure that treatment quality and continuity are maintained for clients and families. You are primarily responsible for assessing the client’s mental health needs, supervising the activities and staff that provide individual, group and family therapy, and monitoring clients with mental illness and/or receiving psychotropic medications. You will oversee all specialty mental health programming at the STRTP and monitor the quality of mental health services provided to youth placed at the STRTP to ensure that each youth is receiving the services they need to reach their goals. Directly and in collaboration with your reporting team, you will identify and implement evidence-based, promising and best practices for our youth. You are responsible for ensuring compliance to all applicable laws and regulations governing the STRTP. You’ll actively promote and implement a strengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally relevant and client-centered approach to working with youth. You’ll partner closely with the psychiatrist and other contracted specialists to ensure that appropriate and coordinated care is being provided for each client. You will also partner closely with the STRTP Administrators and other staff to ensure that a consistent and collaborative approach is implemented for each individual client. As Clinical Director/Head of Service, you will contribute to the strategic planning, leadership and culture of the organization, and collaborate with the leadership team in providing a supported and inclusive employee experience. Organization and Role Responsibilities General Program Oversee daily operations of the STRTP, ensuring compliance with state regulations and organizational policies Develop and implement program goals, objectives, and procedures to ensure high-quality service delivery Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate STRTP staff, including clinical, administrative, and support personnel Provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities for STRTP staff Manage direct reporting staff and provide overall guidance for their teams Oversee billing and productivity, ensuring accountability to standards across the program Oversee caseloads and provide direct service provision of direct mental health staff Provide clinical supervision for licensure to associate-level clinicians Ensure that all residents receive appropriate therapeutic services and support Develop and oversee individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clinical staff Monitor and evaluate the progress of residents, making adjustments to treatment plans as needed Ensure compliance with all licensing, certification, and accreditation requirements Prepare for and participate in audits, inspections, and reviews by regulatory agencies Develop and manage the program budget, ensuring efficient and effective use of resources Monitor expenditures and revenues, and prepare financial reports for the organization and funding sources Serve as the primary liaison with community partners, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies Develop and maintain positive relationships with referring agencies, funding sources, and other key stakeholders Represent the program at community meetings, conferences, and events Oversee and coordinate all mental health services, including appropriate crisis intervention and emergency response activities Ensure that staff are trained in crisis intervention techniques and that appropriate protocols are followed Ensure that all program documentation is accurate, complete, and submitted in a timely manner Participate in organizational strategic planning efforts, contributing to the development of long-term goals and objectives for the STRTP Identify and pursue opportunities for program growth and development Conduct regular evaluations of program effectiveness and client outcomes. Implement changes and improvements based on evaluation findings and feedback from clients, staff, and stakeholders Head of Service Maintain a safe, healthy, and therapeutic environment at the STRTP Ensure that each child admitted to the program has a mental health assessment Ensure that each child in the STRTP has commonality of needs with the other children in the STRTP, including whether the child’s presence is adverse to the safety or mental health needs of the child or other children admitted to the STRTP Ensure the mental health services identified on each treatment plan are provided and appropriate to meet the individual needs of the child Monitor the quality of the mental health services provided to the children Ensure arrangements are made, including transportation, for children to receive mental health services that cannot be provided by the STRTP Ensure arrangements are made for special provision of mental health services to children with disabilities including visual and auditory impairment Ensure that documentation and recordkeeping requirements are met Develop mental health staff schedules, training schedules, mental health treatment service schedules, medication schedules, and any other schedules for the operation of the STRTP mental health program Administration Direct and evaluate the facility within the limits of the functions and policies established by the licensee Prepare the facility’s budget and manage expenditures according to the facility’s budget limitations Organize the work of the facility and delegate responsibilities to staff Assess the facility’s operations and program and reporting to the licensee and make recommendations to address identified problems Recruit, appoint, evaluate, and terminate staff. Develop a plan for the orientation, development, and training of staff, as specified in Section 87065.1 Review complaints made by children or their authorized representative(s) as specified in Section 87072.2 and decide upon the action to be taken to handle the complaint Develop the written policies, procedures, and practices for continuous quality improvement, as specified in Section 87081 Observe and interact with staff, children, and other individuals, as necessary, to ensure the quality of care for children and program services Any other duties that may be necessary to manage and administer the short-term residential therapeutic program Required Qualifications and Experience Master’s degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Counseling from an accredited university or college License with California BBS with two years’ post-licensure experience Minimum 4 years’ experience providing services to adolescents, preferably current and/or former foster youth involved in the children’s services or juvenile system and their families Minimum two years’ experience working within a MediCal funded program Minimum 3 years’ experience managing budgets Minimum 5 years’ experience in the following: developing and managing programs, managing direct reports and employee life cycle, and managing scheduling and assignments Strong knowledge of therapeutic modalities and evidence-based practices Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills Spanish fluency, written and oral, preferred Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and communities Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities, with the agility to flex across competing priorities while maintaining clear direction and support to staff Understanding and modeling of trauma-informed care, and ability to develop staff’s understanding and use of this lens Must have a dependable personal vehicle, valid California’s driver’s license and proof of insurance Due to the nature of this position’s duties, only women may hold the position Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions The conditions and requirements below are representative of those required for an employee to successfully meet the essential requirements of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees to meet these requirements. Regularly required by the duties of this job to move, ascend and descend, remain stationary, position oneself to access equipment and supplies, communicate, exchange information and observe details at close and medium range within work surroundings Wear PPE and follow universal precautions as needed Must be able to move, transport up to 20lbs, and possess mobility required to work within varied home environments Mary’s Path is a non-smoking environment Benefits Bilingual Pay Differential: 3% additional pay upon successful completion of the Spanish competency exam. 403(b) Retirement Plan: 100% employer match of employee contributions up to 6% of salary. Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous PTO to support work-life balance. Paid Holidays: Enjoy paid time off for recognized holidays. Medical Insurance: Comprehensive coverage options. Dental Insurance: Coverage for preventive, basic, and major services. Vision Insurance: Coverage for exams, glasses, and contacts. Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 100% employer-sponsored, offering confidential support for personal and work-related issues. Life Insurance: 100% employer-sponsored coverage. Professional Development: Opportunities for career growth and continuous learning. Company Description Mary’s Path is a licensed Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) in Orange County, California. We provide safe housing, clinical care, and supportive services for pregnant and parenting youth in foster care. Our multidisciplinary team helps young mothers heal from trauma, build stability, and develop the skills needed for long-term independence. Mary’s Path partners with county agencies, mental health providers, and community organizations to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care. Every member of our team plays a role in changing lives—for both the young women we serve and their children. Company Description Mary’s Path is a licensed Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) in Orange County, California. We provide safe housing, clinical care, and supportive services for pregnant and parenting youth in foster care. Our multidisciplinary team helps young mothers heal from trauma, build stability, and develop the skills needed for long-term independence.\r\n\r\nMary’s Path partners with county agencies, mental health providers, and community organizations to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care. Every member of our team plays a role in changing lives—for both the young women we serve and their children.

Keywords: Mary's Path, Indio , Head of Service/Clinical Director, Healthcare , Santa Ana, California