Director of 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 exists to design, implement, and sustain evidence-based treatment programs (e.g., CBT, DBT) that drive measurable outcomes, uphold regulatory compliance, and foster recovery across the continuum of care. By championing evidence-based practices, advancing staff competencies, and embedding fidelity to proven models of care, the DCS creates a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Through collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and leaders, the DCS ensures that high-quality clinical services are provided consistently and in alignment with hospital's mission and goals.
About The Facility
Seven Hills Behavioral Health Hospital brings a world of compassion, hope and best practice medical care to the people who need it the most. We are a 134-bed hospital that is dedicated to providing high-quality care for adults, geriatrics, children and adolescents (ages 5-17) who are suffering from behavioral health and chemical dependency issues.
Essential Functions
Leadership & Management
- 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
Clinical Staff Oversight, Development and Supervision
- 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
- 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
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
- Perform other functions and tasks as assigned
Education/Experience/Skill 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 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
Licenses/Designations/Certifications
- Independently Licensed Clinician – e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, Psychologist license
- MA in Social Work (MSW/LCSW) strongly preferred
- Experience in an inpatient psychiatric or behavioral health hospital