If you are starting an addiction treatment center, it’s important to carefully choose executive management in order to run an effective, safe and successful facility. Starting a residential addiction treatment center or an outpatient treatment program isn’t easy. It’s a complex process with a lot of steps. Strong leadership will be the core of your treatment program, and the right executive management training can help you achieve your goals.
If your treatment center is already off the ground, but perhaps struggling or looking for ways to improve communication, performance and overall quality, training is the key. Problems frequently faced by addiction treatment centers can be avoided with properly trained executive management.
Typical Executive Positions And Their Functions
Executive Director
The executive director is ultimately responsible for the success of the facility and its leaders and staff. They oversee operations and ensure that all elements of these operations run smoothly. The executive director oversees clinical, management and marketing operations. They often oversee community outreach projects and are responsible for licensure and accreditation procedures as well. They may also act as a liaison between other management and the board of directors if the facility has one. In smaller facilities, this position may be combined with others, especially if the executive director is also the owner and clinician, with a smaller staff. It is a position of great responsibility, and the executive director must receive continuous training on state requirements, treatment models and more. He or she is also a spokesperson for the facility, and must constantly ensure that current actions reflect the goals of the company.
Marketing/Outreach Director
Marketing and outreach are essential to the ongoing success of your facility. While not all treatment centers have a specific position for marketing and outreach, it is an essential element of a strong, profitable and effective treatment program. They are responsible for ensuring that marketing efforts are consistent and reflective of the brand. They are responsible for lead generation and to some degree, public relations.
Clinical Director
The clinical director is responsible for helping to develop a system of care, the adoption of evidence-based treatment models and the overseeing of clinicians, counselors and other care-providing staff. He or she is also a clinician, and helps to ensure consistency and quality of care. This position often works directly with the executive director to develop and implement treatment programs, and also works with fellow clinicians, counselors and case management staff to make sure that these programs are delivered consistently to meet facility standards.
Senior Case Management Director
This position is responsible for managing and partnering with case managers and counselors, and is often a liaison between other staff and the clinical director and executive director.
There may be other positions available in your facility, and you may not have all these roles available. What is important is that your executive management team is highly trained, qualified and receives ongoing training to ensure that your treatment center runs smoothly, profitably and delivers the highest quality of care to its clients.
What Types Of Problems Arise In Executive Management?
Consistency, communication, and ethics are always key issues with executive management within the healthcare system. There are rigid codes that must be enforced, and it’s important that all upper management, as well as hourly staff, are on the same page. Ethics, compliance and consistency of care must be continuously monitored and strong leadership is essential in order to ensure that systems, organization, and communication are smooth.
How Executive Management Training Can Help
Investing in management training is a good way to get your fledgling addiction treatment center off to a strong start. If you are experiencing problems in your treatment center or are in the midst of a reorganization, this is also a good time to bring in quality management training. While continuous education and training for all staff and team members is important, weak leadership can cause business failure no matter how qualified clinicians, administrative staff and counselors are.
Our executive management training enables your facility to mitigate risk, increase profits, improve organizational flow, increase productivity and performance, deliver higher quality care, exceed standards and improve internal relationships.