Clinical Manger - Eating Disorder

Job Summary 

The Clinical Manager for the Eating Disorder (ED) continuum of care (RTC, PHP, VIOP) will provide leadership and oversight of clinical operations for the ED program. The Clinical Manager is responsible for managing the multidisciplinary team (RDNs, therapists, admissions specialists, recreational therapists, RSS) ensuring high standards of care, and working closely with patients, families, and staff to promote recovery and mental health stability among eating disorder patients. 

This role requires clinical expertise in mental health, leadership and team management skills, and a deep understanding of eating disorders and the multidisciplinary treatment model.   

Clinical Leadership Role and Responsibilities 

• Utilizing an enthusiastic and solution focused perspective, oversees day to day clinical operations of the program, ensuring adherence to clinical guidelines and patient safety standards 
• Act as the clinical leader of ED programs across the continuum, supervising and mentoring clinical staff, including RNs, RDNs, therapists, social workers, ED admission staff, RSS, and other support staff 
• Provide oversight and guidance regarding patient’s individualized treatment plans, ensuring that all staff are adhering to safe, ethical, evidenced based best practices in the treatment of EDs 
• Maintain open communication with program leadership, staff, and patients (as appropriate) to address concerns, support treatment goals, and resolve conflicts in a safe and efficient manner 
• Conduct periodic case reviews with staff to provide clinical feedback, and foster a culture of teamwork that reflects clinical excellence and patient centered care 
• Review evidenced based standardized ED practices and protocols to facilitate the development of new, and improvement of old, ED curriculum across the continuum of care to best meet the diverse needs of this specialized patient population 
• Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure all ED units are adequately staffed, and participate in the recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance evaluations of those staff 
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, track patient outcomes, and implement necessary changes to improve care delivery and program efficiency 
• Serve as liaison between the residential program and external providers, including hospitals, primary care providers, and outpatient practitioners to ensure continuity of care 
• Facilitate family education, as appropriate, to support the treatment process, helping families understand the complexities of eating disorders 
• Provides support for carrying out overall clinical programing and adherence to rules, local, state and accreditation regulations and standards. 
• Participates in efforts to provide education in the larger community to raise knowledge and awareness about eating disorders. 
• Promotes a positive and supportive work environment that is aligned with the company’s core values. 
• Works with leadership on improving and maintaining communication systems  
• Updates and revises policies and procedures, as requested by leadership. 
• Stays up-to-date date on professional licenses and all necessary continuing education, as required. 
• Provides oversight and collaboration with clinicians to ensure appropriate transitions through all levels of care (LOC). 
• Aids clinicians in the development and augmentation of patient behavioral contracts  
• Conducts annual performance evaluations for all direct reports and works with staff to establish annual performance goals.  
• Observes staff conducting groups and/or individual sessions to assist in mentoring and training 
• Helps ensure clinical team compliance with HIPAA and CARF or other regulatory agencies and insurance standards of care. 
• Participates in staff development and training, including staff meetings, in-service trainings and annual trainings required by Sanford Behavioral Health on a timely basis.  
• Ensures that all documentation of services is completed within 24 hours of services being rendered.  
• Assigns new admissions to primary therapists and dieticians. 
• Adheres to established Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, Patient Centered Philosophy and employee handbook.  
• Provides supervision and support to clients by participating in meals and snack, as needed. 

Qualifications and Education Requirements 

• Minimum of a Master’s Degree in counseling, social work, or nursing.  
• Minimum of five (5) years of direct patient care experience working in an eating disorder treatment setting, preferred.  
• 2+ years of prior supervisorial responsibilities preferred. 
• Experience working in a residential treatment setting, preferred. 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of eating disorders and their diagnostic criteria as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) 
• Familiarity of Health at Every Size (HAES) and Intuitive Eating treatment perspectives 
• Leader in interdisciplinary collaboration with professionals such as psychiatrist, social workers, dieticians, and other support staff 
• Proficient in the delivery of patient centered care that encompasses empathy, advocacy, and clear and supportive communication with patients and families 
• Effective leader amidst psychiatric and medical crises, including suicide risk assessment and management 
• Coordinates transition to higher level of care that is safe, cost effective, and prioritizes patient treatment needs 
• Awareness of the varied medical complications that may arise with the treatment of eating disorders (electrolyte disturbances, refeeding syndrome, thermoregulatory changes, cardiac issues, and GI complications, etc) 
• Familiarity of nutritional rehabilitation and meal planning and titration processes 
• Understanding of local and national regulations for eating disorder treatment programs 
• Familiarity and implementation of CARF accrediting body standards 
• Understanding of the common mental health comorbidities that accompany eating disorders (Anxiety, Depression, OCD, PTSD, Borderline personality disorder (BPD)) 
• Acknowledgement and awareness of trauma’s impact on the ED patient and their care, and application of trauma informed care principles (Safety, Trust, Peer Support, Mutuality, Empowerment, Cultural/Gender issues) 
• Provides a culture of mutual respect, open communication, and reciprocity as it relates to team engagement and staff development 
• Demonstrates self-awareness through reflection of personal strengths, weaknesses, feedback utilization, and continuous learning 
• Strong organizational, time management, and multi-tasking abilities 
• Decisive and creative problem solver with adept analytical skills 
• Enthusiastic self-starter who takes initiative and is proactive in anticipating obstacles before they arise to best mitigate risk and negative outcomes 
• Easily adapts to high stress situations 
• Promotes inclusivity among the team through empathy, mutual respect, and cultural awareness  
• Strong oral and written communication skills who easily and respectfully relates to diverse cultural, gender, and ethnic populations 
• Demonstrates professional behavior reflective of Sanford’s Mission Statement, Philosophy, and Values. 

Physical Requirements 

• Periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. (5+ hours) 
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking may be required (1-3 hours). 
• Must be able to lift 35 lbs. 
• Must be able to adapt to the physical demands of lifting clients, bending, stooping, and stretching with or without assistance. 
• Must be able to perform repetitive tasks such as typing for extended periods of time. 
• Must be able to clearly express and exchange ideas by means of spoken word to impart oral information to employees or others accurately or quickly, engaging in sometimes lengthy conversations or presentations. 
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs daily.   
• Must be able to seize, hold, grasp, turn or otherwise work with your hand or hands. 
• Must be able to perceive sound by ear to interpret oral information from employees or others accurately or quickly. 

ADA Disclaimer 

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position adequately.  If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. All requests must be made to the Human Resource Department in writing.