Job Title: Residential Treatment Program Manager
Company: Ascend and Sierra Meadows Behavioral Health
Location: Fresno, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday to Friday | Some On-Call or Weekend Flexibility May Be Required

About Us

At Ascend and Sierra Meadows Behavioral Health, our mission is to provide exceptional, compassionate, and comprehensive mental health treatment to those in need. Our residential programs offer clients a safe and structured environment to engage in deep healing and long-term recovery.

We’re looking for a dedicated Residential Treatment Program Manager to lead our residential care team. This is a pivotal leadership role focused on ensuring clinical excellence, program integrity, and a nurturing environment that supports our patients and uplifts our staff.

Position Summary

The Residential Treatment Program Manager oversees the clinical and operational management of our residential treatment program. This leader is responsible for ensuring a safe, therapeutic, and high-functioning environment where both staff and clients can thrive. You will work closely with clinical teams, support staff, and executive leadership to maintain the highest standards of care.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the residential treatment program with a focus on safety, consistency, and therapeutic structure
• Supervise and mentor residential staff, behavioral health technicians, and clinicians
• Coordinate client care schedules, treatment implementation, and overall milieu management
• Provide leadership through staff training, development, and performance evaluation
• Ensure compliance with state regulations, accreditation standards, and documentation protocols
• Foster a trauma-informed and values-driven culture that prioritizes patient well-being
• Partner with clinical and administrative teams to ensure effective care coordination and discharge planning
• Represent the residential program in internal strategy meetings and community relationships“We envision a community where everyone has access to the mental healthcare they need and deserve.”

Ascend Behavioral Health is an award-winning behavioral health program dedicated to helping youth and teens realize their potential and promise. The Ascend team provides a creative and supportive atmosphere where the values of our company are applied daily through staffs’ ideas, perspectives, experience and diverse backgrounds. The culture at Ascend creates an environment where staff can contribute to their fullest potential in order to make a positive impact on the lives of the youth and teens we serve. We invite you to come and be a part of our dynamic team!

The Program Manager (PM) works collaboratively with the Clinical Director and Program Director to further develop and expand Ascends IOP & OP Therapy services within Clinical Services. The Program Manager is fully charged with the operational development, expansion and management of the IOP/OP, and will work collaboratively with a fully interdisciplinary team to ensure quality and compliance of clinical care, safety and well-being of clients/staff and setting an enriching, positive work culture.

With the Clinical Director, the Program Manager ensures the program adheres to all local, state, and federal regulations, operative procedures and licensing requirements. The Program Manager in this position will collaborate with the Business Development and Admissions team to ensure effective and streamlined care of our clients. The PM will work with the Program Director & Operations to establish and maintain fiscal stability, create an infrastructure to support evidence-based practice, facilitate the use of information technology and prepare staff to continue to serve clients based on the mission and values of the company. The Program Manager will promote community partnerships.

The Program Manager has bottom line fiscal, staffing and compliance responsibility and accountability for the IOP and Outpatient Therapy services. The Program Manager will have strong communication skills, both oral and written, and will be a creative and effective manager, leader and supervisor. The PM must be capable of developing and implementing clear goals, systems and priorities and have strategic problem-solving skills. An employee in this role will lead and supervise Ascends efforts to provide and continually improve clinical services with regard to effectiveness, timeliness, efficiency, safety, and equity (providing consistent care across cultural, gender, SES groups).

Essential Functions:

• Follows and improves standards, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in agency quality improvement activities.
• Ensures program and staff compliance with regulatory standards and community standards of care.
• Ensures coordination of services for families and multi-disciplinary team members for patients in treatment.
• Assists with the recruitment, training and qualifying of staff, contractors and others (practicum students, interns).
• Builds strong collaborative relationships with patients and referral sources, and acts as a representative of Ascend Behavioral Health in the community.
• Evaluates Joint Commission standards of practice and ensures ongoing compliance.
• Assists clinical and non-clinical staff in providing crisis-intervention.
• Oversees patients’ progress in treatment and ensures level of care is appropriate based on medical necessity.
• Oversees insurance compliance (utilization review, medical necessity criteria, clinical programing requirements).
• Consults with the Admissions Department to ensure intakes are scheduled accordingly.
• Develops weekly and monthly schedules for programming.
• Provides support on performance measurement and outcome evaluation.
• Attends and/or facilitates interdisciplinary staff meetings, case conferences, program team meetings, in-service, and other meetings when appropriate.
• Records interventions and interactions with patients.
• Assists the family in working with the clinical staff toward treatment goals.
• Conducts EMR reviews and ensures program maintains EMR compliance with HIPPA, ADA, Joint Commission and DHCS regulations.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (in psychology, social work, human services, or related field)
• Master’s degree preferred, particularly in behavioral health, clinical leadership, or healthcare administration (e.g., MSW, MFT, LPCC, MHA)
• Previous experience in a residential, inpatient, or behavioral health treatment setting
• Experience managing or supervising healthcare or clinical teams strongly preferred
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, clinical best practices, and operational management
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills
• Deep commitment to compassionate, ethical, and person-centered behavioral health care

Why Work With Us

• Mission-Driven Culture: Join a team that puts patient care and integrity at the heart of everything.
• Team-Centered Environment: Work with people who care deeply about their patients and each other.
• High-Quality Care: Be a part of a company known for clinical excellence and community trust.
• Room to Grow: Opportunities for professional growth and expanded leadership roles.
• Direct Impact: Make a meaningful difference in the lives of people on their healing journey.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• A supportive leadership team and inclusive workplace culture
• Opportunities to grow within a purpose-driven, expanding organization