Director, Neuropsychiatry-Nursing Administration-FT Variable Shift

UCI Health is one of California's largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established in 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health - Orange, UCI Health - Irvine, four Community Network hospitals, and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties. As Orange County’s only academic health system, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, a Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department, and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people through excellence in patient care, research, and medical education.

About the role

Reporting to the Vice President / Chief Nursing Officer, the Divisional Director of Neuropsychiatry is responsible for the management of Neuropsychiatry Nursing services at UCI Health - Orange. The Director provides services to meet physician and health system objectives in the following areas: patient care, teaching and research; clinical resource management; and developing and administering an operating budget for capital and programs. The role maintains responsibility for the direction, administration, quality, coordination, and evaluation of patient care activities and support services to ensure efficient performance in each of the Cost Centers in the Division. The Director supervises division management directly and staff FTEs indirectly, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, serving as the primary point of contact for inpatient behavioral health operations. The role collaborates closely with facility and health system leaders to align clinical operations with organizational goals and standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Neuropsychiatry Nursing services, ensuring alignment with physician and health system objectives in patient care, teaching, research, and clinical resource management.
• Develop and administer an operating budget for capital and programs.
• Direct, coordinate, and evaluate patient care activities and support services within the Division.
• Provide direct supervision of division management and indirect supervision of staff FTEs on a 24/7 basis.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for inpatient behavioral health operations, collaborating with facility and health system leaders.
• Ensure compliance with CA LPS laws and regulations, as well as patient rights.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, emergency departments, conservatorship processes, court-related processes, community resources, and crisis stabilization and discharge planning.
• Develop and implement programs and services to enhance nursing operations.
• Maintain strong clinical skills and a results-oriented approach to budgeting and financial management.
• Exercise discretion in managing sensitive information, including employee, student, and patient records, financial data, and strategic plans.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing with 5-7 years of experience in psychiatric nursing and 2+ years of experience in nursing leadership, or Master of Science in psychiatric nursing with 2+ years of experience in nursing leadership.
• Working knowledge of CA LPS laws and demonstrated expertise in leading an LPS-designated facility.
• Strong knowledge of CA regulations and patient rights.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with law enforcement, emergency departments, conservatorship processes, court-related documentation, community resources, and crisis stabilization and discharge planning.
• RN certification in specialty area or management within 3 years of hire.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement programs and services.
• Strong customer service orientation with effective interaction skills across all levels, including staff, senior management, physicians, patients, and families.
• Results-oriented attitude with excellent budgeting and financial skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong clinical skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated management experience in a healthcare environment.
• CA Registered Nurse license (required).

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.) in Nursing.
• Master of Business or Healthcare Administration.
• Gracie Medical Defense (GMD) Instructor or equivalent certification.
• Specialty certification in psychiatric-mental health nursing or healthcare quality.
• Successful regulatory survey history.
• Experience working in a UC and/or union environment.
• Knowledge of University and medical center organizations, policies, procedures, and forms.
• Knowledge of the Orange County healthcare market.

Benefits

We offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding, including:

• Medical insurance.
• Sick and vacation time.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Access to a number of discounts and perks.