Director of Clinical Services

Essential Functions

• 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 independent decision making for program requiring clinical expertise.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and patient-centered care and ensures 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.
• Provide clinical consultation, oversight of 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 clinical staff as needed, ensuring all clinical staff are trained on and consistently implement evidenced-based practices – including assessments, implementation of measurement-based care, and evidenced-based interventions.
• Engage in regular fidelity monitoring of clinical programming and groups delivered by clinical staff to ensure alignment with evidenced-based practices and provide ongoing trainings 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.

Program Development & Implementation

• Develop and implement clinical programs based on evidence-based models (e.g., CBT, DBT) and integrate evidence-based 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.
• 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.

Quality & Compliance

• 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.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work with hospital or facility leadership to align clinical services with hospital-wide initiatives.
• Work with hospital or facility leadership to ensure alignment of clinical services with organizational 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.

Additional Responsibilities

• Direct crisis intervention efforts and oversee case planning and care coordination.
• 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.

Standard Expectations

• Demonstrates a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always.
• When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints.
• Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.
• Complies with organizational policies, procedures, performance improvement initiatives and maintains organizational and industry policies regarding confidentiality.
• Communicates clearly and effectively to person(s) receiving services and 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.

Other Functions

• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Education/Experience/Skill Requirements

• Licence-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 clinical population of the facility required.
• 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.

Skills

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

Additional Regulatory Requirements

• n/a

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.