Public and private drug rehabilitation facilities are a big growth industry these days as men and women find solace in a variety of legal and illegal substances. If you're considering opening a facility to treat this population, you'll need as much business sense as experience in the fields of addiction and detoxification to succeed. Great preparation and research plus an eye for great medical and support staffers will get you off to the right start.
Instructions
1. Compare the types, sizes, philosophies and approaches used by drug rehab centers in your region to determine whether the geographic area is large enough to support another facility. Contact state and local authorities to ascertain which licenses and permits you'll be required to get before you can open. Approach city and/or county boards to make certain the area you've chosen is zoned for this type of treatment center. Appear at hearings to get permission to build or refurbish your site.
2. Write a business plan, work with a financial professional to draft a budget, and then seek federal, state and local funds. Locate, complete and submit (with backup documentation) grant applications to obtain government funding. Turn also to private institutions and foundations with missions focused on substance abuse abatement and treatment.
3. Expect to mix and match a variety funding sources as grantors often provide funds only for specific expenditures (e.g., start-up only or construction only). Seek in-kind donations of furniture and equipment from medical companies and furniture wholesalers to lessen the number of items you'll have to purchase to equip and furnish the drug rehab center.
4. Begin construction or refurbishing efforts on the site you've chosen for your rehab center once you have secured start-up funds. Meet with several general contractors and hire the one you feel is best qualified to oversee construction or remodeling. Meet all deadlines for occupational permits, building inspections and other checks and balances on the project's schedule.
5. Start interviewing job candidates as construction nears completion. Plan on hiring medical staff as well as clerical help, janitorial workers, managers, case workers and administrators trained in the art of processing insurance claims. Work with medical staff to draw up policies, protocols, guidelines and other directives that will serve as your center's legal backbone. Evaluate cost estimates as submitted by insurance agents or brokers to buy comprehensive insurance coverage on the center's structure and contents plus health and liability coverage for staff.
6. Contact substance abuse- and drug rehab-focused professional associations to apply for accreditations and certifications so your facility meets a variety of industry, patient, personnel and other requirements necessary to apply for funding and benefits available only to drug rehabilitation centers in good standing.
7. Advertise your services to attract clients via physicians, area self-help entities, print ads and a website devoted to helping abusers find detox and treatment services in their geographic area. Make personal appearances at community groups to inform people of your entry into the drug rehabilitation business so you can put word of mouth marketing to work for your center.
Tags: drug rehabilitation, drug rehab, geographic area, medical staff, rehab center