Job Description

Associate Director of Health & Wellness

Status: Full-Time, Exempt (Salary) Reports To: Director of Programs Location: Day Resource Center, 1800 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, IL Date Updated: June 2026

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Health & Wellness provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for PADS Lake County's integrated Behavioral Health and Healthcare programs. This position ensures the delivery of high-quality, person-centered services that promote physical health, behavioral health, recovery, and housing stability for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

The Associate Director supervises the Behavioral Health Manager and Healthcare Manager while providing oversight of therapists, nurses, behavioral health case managers, healthcare case managers, peer support specialists, and interns. Working collaboratively across departments and with community healthcare partners, this position strengthens the continuum of care through evidence-based practices, clinical quality improvement, and integrated service delivery.

The Associate Director champions PADS Lake County's commitment to Housing First, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Client-Centered Care while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, funding expectations, and organizational standards.

Essential Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Operations

• Provide leadership and operational oversight for all Behavioral Health and Healthcare programs.
• Supervise the Behavioral Health Manager, Healthcare Manager, and other assigned leadership staff.
• Ensure programs operate in compliance with agency policies, funding requirements, licensing standards, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Monitor program performance, quality assurance measures, and client outcomes to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based service models that improve health, behavioral health, and housing outcomes.
• Monitor departmental budgets and expenditures to ensure responsible fiscal management.
• Collaborate with the Development Department to establish meaningful program outcomes and reporting measures for grants and contracts.
• Evaluate program operations and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Clinical Leadership and Client Care

• Promote integrated healthcare and behavioral health services that address the physical, emotional, and social needs of clients.
• Ensure services are delivered using Housing First, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Client-Centered Care principles.
• Provide clinical consultation and support for complex client situations, behavioral health crises, and care coordination.
• Ensure clients receive timely assessments, referrals, treatment planning, and connections to community healthcare providers.
• Support multidisciplinary case conferencing to improve coordination of care and client outcomes.
• Promote evidence-based practices in behavioral health, substance use treatment, chronic disease management, and wellness education.
• Ensure clients receive appropriate referrals to medical, psychiatric, substance use, and specialty care services.
• Provide direct client support when clinically appropriate and operationally necessary.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate the Behavioral Health Manager, Healthcare Manager, and assigned staff.
• Conduct regular supervision meetings, annual performance evaluations, and professional development planning.
• Foster a collaborative, interdisciplinary team culture focused on quality care and continuous improvement.
• Facilitate clinical and administrative team meetings.
• Ensure staff receive ongoing training in:
  • Trauma-Informed Care
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Housing First
  • Harm Reduction
  • Behavioral Health Best Practices
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Clinical Documentation
• Address employee performance concerns and disciplinary matters in accordance with agency policies.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and funder requirements, including HUD, ESG, Medicaid (when applicable), HIPAA, and applicable behavioral health regulations.
• Monitor program documentation, clinical records, and data quality to ensure compliance with agency standards.
• Ensure HMIS and other electronic health records are completed accurately and timely.
• Maintain agency data quality standards of at least 90% accuracy.
• Review program performance data and quality indicators to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance staff to implement corrective action plans and improve service delivery.
• Ensure confidentiality and ethical standards are maintained in accordance with applicable laws and professional licensing requirements.

Community Partnerships

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), behavioral health providers, substance use treatment providers, healthcare systems, and community organizations.
• Coordinate integrated care initiatives that improve access to healthcare for individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Represent PADS Lake County on community coalitions, healthcare collaboratives, and professional committees.
• Provide presentations and educational opportunities to community partners and stakeholders regarding PADS Lake County's Health & Wellness programs.

General Responsibilities

• Demonstrate professionalism, ethical conduct, and client confidentiality at all times.
• Maintain knowledge of current best practices in behavioral health, healthcare integration, homelessness services, and recovery-oriented systems of care.
• Utilize HMIS, electronic health records, Microsoft Office, and agency information systems effectively.
• Participate in agency meetings, strategic planning initiatives, trainings, and professional development.
• Support agency-wide initiatives and organizational goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Master's degree preferred in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Nursing, or a related human services field.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Registered Nurse (RN), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), or other applicable clinical licensure preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and leadership experience may be considered.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health, healthcare, homelessness services, or integrated health programs.
• Minimum of three years of supervisory or management experience.
• Experience with integrated healthcare, behavioral health, and homelessness services strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of HUD, ESG, Continuum of Care, Medicaid, and healthcare reimbursement systems preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership, strategic planning, and organizational management skills.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary clinical and healthcare teams.
• Strong crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of integrated healthcare, behavioral health, substance use treatment, and care coordination models.
• Familiarity with Trauma-Informed Care, Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Motivational Interviewing.
• Experience using HMIS, electronic health records, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to analyze program data and implement quality improvement initiatives.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive service delivery.
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of PADS Lake County.

Working Conditions

• Full-time, exempt position.
• Regular travel between PADS Lake County program sites and community partner locations may be required.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays based on program needs.
• Frequent interaction with individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, chronic medical conditions, and crisis situations.
• Ability to respond calmly and effectively in emergency and high-acuity situations.

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