Clinical Director

Cliffside Malibu is one of the nation’s premier drug and alcohol treatment centers, nestled in the Santa Monica mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, California. Cliffside Malibu caters to discerning clients in a luxurious setting.  Cliffside Malibu incorporates Evidenced Based Practives with the Stages of Change model in its clinical modalities.  Each client is assessed and placed in an individualized treatment plan that includes a holistic, healthy approach to lasting recovery.

If you are looking for an organization that thrives on growth, celebrates diversity of thought, and rewards passionate execution, you’ve come to the right place.  Because we put clients first, it is our honor to support and reward those who serve them.

Compensation Range: $100-130k per year

Compensation will be dependent upon geographic region, education, and experience.

Our Offer to You!

We are dedicated to empowering our employees with their professional and personal development by providing:  

• 401(k)
• Healthcare benefits 
• Vacation and sick days
• Employee referral program
• Employee discounts to various stores, amusement parks, events, etc.
• Continuing education (CE) programs and training
• Weekly training opportunities 
• Advancement opportunities within the organization 

Clinical Director: Position Summary

We are seeking a dynamic, organized, and licensed Clinical Director to lead and manage the clinical operations of our inpatient Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment center. This role is ideal for a tech-savvy clinical leader with demonstrated experience in electronic health records (specifically KIPU), cloud-based collaboration tools (SharePoint, OneDrive), and integrating evidence-based practices (EBPs) into comprehensive care plans.

The Clinical Director will provide strategic leadership to the clinical team, manage scheduling and programming, supervise interns, support utilization review, and drive quality care across the continuum of services.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Supervision

1. Provide direct oversight and mentorship to clinical staff including therapists, case managers, and interns.
2. Balance clinical caseloads to maximize both client-facing care and documentation efficiency.
3. Supervise interns in accordance with licensing board standards.
4. Facilitate weekly clinical meetings, case reviews, and collaborative treatment planning.

Program Management

1. Design, implement, and evaluate the weekly clinical programming schedule.
2. Ensure treatment delivery aligns with EBPs such as CBT, DBT, MI, and trauma-informed care.
3. Maintain compliance with accreditation and regulatory bodies (e.g., Joint Commission, state licensing).
4. Maintain a small caseload based on census needs.
5. Coordinate with referral sources and outpatient providers to ensure continuity of care at admission, midpoint, and discharge.
6. Respond to emails and phone calls in a timely manner.

Technology & Documentation

1. Oversee effective use of the KIPU EMR platform to ensure documentation compliance and record accuracy.
2. Support clinical staff with training in KIPU, SharePoint, and OneDrive for efficient documentation and team collaboration.
3. Identify and implement technological tools that enhance clinical effectiveness.

Utilization Review & Length of Stay Management

1. Collaborate with UR staff to ensure timely, thorough, and clinically appropriate documentation.
2. Guide clinicians on documenting medical necessity and progress to support optimal treatment duration.
3. Assist in responding to payer audits, reviews, and documentation requests.
4. Provide UR-focused education to reduce insurance denials and promote continuity of care.

Time Management & Staff Development

1. Model and mentor effective time management for balancing care delivery, documentation, and supervision.
2. Promote a culture of excellence, accountability, and ongoing professional development.
3. Encourage continuous quality improvement through feedback and outcome monitoring.
4. Conduct 90-day, quarterly and annual reviews for clinical staff.

For a virtual tour of the facility, please visit our website at cliffsidemalibu.com.

Qualifications

Required:

1. Education: Master’s degree or higher in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or related field.
2. Licensure: Active and unrestricted CA clinical license (LCSW, LMFT, LPC, PsyD, PhD) with intern supervision eligibility.
3. Experience:
   1. 5+ years in SUD treatment, including 2+ years in a supervisory/director-level role.
   2. Demonstrated success leading clinical teams in an inpatient or residential setting.
4. Technology Skills:
   1. Proficient in KIPU EMR.
   2. Comfortable with cloud-based tools (e.g., SharePoint, OneDrive) for documentation and collaboration.
5. Other: Valid driver’s license in good standing.

Preferred:

1. Experience with ASAM criteria and dimensions.
2. Strong grounding in trauma-informed care and evidence-based treatment modalities.
3. Ability to adapt quickly to emerging clinical and operational technologies.
4. Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

Not sure if you meet all the qualifications? Apply anyway! To provide truly innovative care, we need to have a diverse team around us. That’s why Discovery Behavioral Health is committed to creating an inclusive environment. If you find yourself meeting some but not all the above, we’d be happy to consider your application.

We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

For more information about our company benefits, please visit us at discoverybehavioralhealth.com/careers/

Discovery Behavioral Health seeks to build a diverse staff that is reflective of the patients we serve and the communities where we work. DBH encourages multiple perspectives, experiences, and strives to hire and retain a diverse workforce.