Director Clinical Services

About the Role

The Director of Clinical Services (DCS) provides leadership and clinical oversight to ensure the highest standards of clinical excellence and patient-centered care. This role designs, implements, and sustains evidence-based treatment programs (e.g., CBT, DBT) that drive measurable outcomes, uphold regulatory compliance, and foster recovery across the continuum of care. The DCS champions evidence-based practices, advances staff competencies, and embeds fidelity to proven models of care, creating a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction to clinical teams, including therapists, social workers, and other staff.
• Oversee day-to-day clinical operations, including budget management, developing marketing and strategic plans, and making independent decisions for programs requiring clinical expertise.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and patient-centered care, ensuring efficiency and collaboration between departments.
• Serve as a member of the facility leadership team and make independent clinical decisions to ensure quality care and alignment with organizational goals.
• Provide direction and oversight to staff members, including clinical consultation, case planning, and care coordination.
• Direct crisis intervention efforts and intervene as required.
• Supervise, mentor, and support clinical staff, promoting professional growth and competency.
• Provide clinical supervision to ensure consistent implementation of evidence-based practices, including assessments, measurement-based care, and interventions.
• Conduct regular fidelity monitoring of clinical programming and groups to ensure alignment with evidence-based practices, providing ongoing training when drift occurs.
• Manage hiring, development, training, and performance management of staff to ensure effective operations.
• Conduct regular reviews of caseloads to optimize utilization of services.
• Ensure staff are current on all certifications and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement clinical programs based on evidence-based models (e.g., CBT, DBT) and integrate these practices into treatment plans.
• Evaluate clinical performance metrics, including service-delivery models, patient-reported outcomes, satisfaction scores, length of stay, treatment completion, and discharge effectiveness.
• Conduct regular clinical audits to ensure high-quality documentation, fidelity to care models, and appropriate levels of care.
• Champion best practices in suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and risk mitigation, ensuring standardized application across facilities.
• Facilitate the continuum of care, partnering with outpatient facilities to develop robust step-down processes.
• Provide clinical oversight of other programs and levels of care as needed.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and accrediting bodies (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS, CARF, state licensing boards).
• Monitor clinical performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Oversee documentation and reporting to maintain accurate patient records.
• Ensure safety and infection control requirements are met.
• Work with hospital or facility leadership to align clinical services with hospital-wide initiatives and values.
• Serve as a liaison between clinical staff, administration, and external partners, fostering clear communication.
• Engage with community organizations and healthcare providers to enhance patient access to services.
• Maintain a limited caseload when necessary and provide onsite coverage for other programs.
• Develop operating policies and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and standards of care.
• Recognize patient safety as a top priority and work to resolve complaints if needs are unmet.
• Participate in on-call rotation schedule as determined and required by facility.
• Support business development, engage with local community groups, participate in education events, and collaborate with referral sources to build and maintain strong relationships.

Requirements

• License-bearing Master’s or Doctorate degree in Behavioral or Mental Health (e.g., MSW, MA in marriage and family, MA in professional counseling, PhD in Clinical, Counseling, or Educational Psychology), or PsyD.
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience working with the clinical population of the facility.
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS, CARF) and experience ensuring compliance.
• Excellent leadership, collaboration, and communication skills among audiences ranging from front-line clinical staff to facility leadership.

Qualifications

• Independently Licensed Clinician – e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, Psychologist license.
• Acute MA in Social Work (MSW/LCSW) strongly preferred.
• Experience in an inpatient psychiatric or behavioral health hospital.
• Experience in specialty provided at facility (e.g., substance use or eating disorder experience).

Standard Expectations

• Demonstrates a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers at all times.
• Acknowledges and works to resolve complaints when patient needs are not met.
• Recognizes that patient safety is a top priority.
• Complies with organizational policies, procedures, performance improvement initiatives, and maintains confidentiality.
• Communicates clearly and effectively with patients, their family members, guests, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintains them over time.
• Encourages and builds mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members and staff.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.