Christian

Meet Finding Freedom Ranch

Located in the Wayland/Moline area of Michigan, Finding Freedom Ranch is a Christ-centered nonprofit ministry that exists to support individuals and families of all ages impacted by eating disorders. Founded after the Burgess family’s personal journey through eating disorder recovery, the organization was created to provide compassionate, bible-based care closer to home for families in Michigan who previously had to seek treatment out of state. Their mission is centered on “healing the heart of an eating disorder with the mind of Christ,” combining emotional support, biblical counseling, community, and recovery resources in a restorative ranch environment.

Through support groups, prayer gatherings, educational resources, and plans for a future residential treatment facility and outpatient program, Finding Freedom Ranch seeks to create a safe and hope-filled space where individuals can find peace with God, themselves, and food. The ministry also plans to incorporate equine therapy, gardening, and other hands-on healing experiences into its long-term recovery programs. With a strong emphasis on community and spiritual encouragement, Finding Freedom Ranch is working to meet both the practical and emotional needs of those navigating eating disorder recovery.

About the Director of Clinical Operations

The Director of Clinical Operations oversees the clinical and operational functions of the outpatient program, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care for adolescents and adults with eating disorders. This position plays a key role in ongoing program development and expansion to enhance service offerings to meet community needs. The Director of Clinical provides direct supervision to future therapy teams, dietitians, and clerical staff, including oversight of scheduling, workflow, clinical care, performance management, and professional development.

The Director of Clinical Operations' responsibilities include:

• Oversees the clinical and operational functions of the outpatient program.​
• Develops, implements, and enforces outpatient facility policies and procedures.
• Directs budgeting and financial planning in alignment with the approved budget to ensure the sustainability of the outpatient facility.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, accreditation standards, and organizational policies related to outpatient eating disorder treatment.
• Facilitates program development and expansion efforts to enhance service offerings and meet community needs.
• Collaborates with external partners, referral sources, and community stakeholders to enhance patient care and service accessibility.
• Provides direct supervision to future licensed therapists, dieticians, and clerical staff, including oversight of scheduling, workflow, clinical care, performance management, and professional development.
• Develops and facilitates training for clinical and administrative staff to ensure adherence to best practices in eating disorder treatment and patient care.
• Provides individual therapy to adolescents and adults with eating disorders.
• Provides oversight and guidance in crisis situations, ensuring appropriate risk assessment, intervention, and coordination of care.
• Reviews incident reports and conducts root cause analysis for critical incidents to identify contributing factors, implement corrective actions, and enhance patient safety.
• Monitors clinical and operational performance metrics, identifying opportunities for process improvements and enhanced patient outcomes.
• Reviews clinical documentation, including individual progress notes and treatment plans, to ensure quality and compliance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Director of Clinical Operations:

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, or a related field.
• Fully licensed (e.g., LMSW, LPC, or equivalent).
• Minimum of two years of direct patient care experience, including individual therapy, with both adolescents and adults with eating disorders.
• Minimum of one year of leadership experience, supervisory, or program management experience in a clinical setting.
• Three or more years of direct patient care experience, including individual therapy, with individuals with eating disorders; experience working with adolescents is preferred.
• Proficiency in evidence-based treatment approaches for eating disorders, such as Family-Based Treatment (FBT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) is preferred.
• Experience with clinical operations, quality assurance and administrative oversight in a healthcare setting is preferred.
• Experience in program development, service expansion, or implementing new clinical initiatives is preferred.
• Experience collaborating with external partners, referral sources, or community stakeholders to enhance patient care and service accessibility is preferred.
• Familiarity with licensing and accreditation standards applicable to outpatient behavioral health services is preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to oversee clinical care and ensure alignment with best practices and organizational policies.
• Ability to provide strength-based guidance, mentorship, and professional development to a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications.
• Access to reliable transportation for required travel.

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

• Desire to work in and sustain a biblically based treatment environment.
• Strong initiative and adaptability, with the ability to independently manage multiple responsibilities in a start-up environment and contribute to the development and launch of a new program.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, fostering collaboration among staff, patients, and external partners.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including competing organizations and referral sources.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workload and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to support decision-making in clinical and operational challenges.

What it's like to live in Wayland/Moline, Michigan

Located between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, this area offers a quiet, small-town lifestyle with easy access to some of West Michigan’s larger cities. Known for its friendly community atmosphere, the area is surrounded by rolling farmland, wooded areas, and lakes that give the area a peaceful, rural feel while still providing convenient shopping, dining, healthcare, and entertainment options nearby. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life, highly rated local schools, community events, and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the year.

West Michigan’s changing seasons are a major part of life. Summers are warm and ideal for boating, hiking, farmers markets, and lake days, while fall brings colorful foliage and harvest festivals throughout the region. Winters are snowy and picturesque, creating opportunities for skiing, sledding, and cozy small-town gatherings. With its combination of natural beauty, strong sense of community, and proximity to larger metro areas, this area appeals to families and individuals looking for a quieter lifestyle without feeling disconnected from urban amenities.