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.

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 independent decision making for program requiring clinical expertise.
• Serve as a member of the facility leadership team and make independent clinical decisions to ensure quality care and alignment with organizational goals.
• 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.
• Maintain a limited caseload when necessary and provide onsite coverage for other programs.
• Direct crisis intervention efforts and oversee case planning and care coordination.
• 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.
• Ensure staff are current on all certifications and regulatory requirements.
• Work with hospital or facility leadership to align clinical services with hospital-wide initiatives.
• Collaborate with hospital or facility leadership to ensure alignment of clinical services with organizational initiatives and values.
• Engage with community organizations and healthcare providers to enhance patient access to services.

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.
• 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).

Qualifications

• Positive, empathetic, and professional attitude towards customers.
• Recognizes patient safety as a top priority and works to resolve complaints if needs are unmet.
• 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.
• Encourages and builds mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members and staff.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Skills

• Excellent leadership, collaboration, and communication skills among audiences ranging from front-line clinical staff to facility leadership.
• Independently Licensed Clinician – e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, Psychologist license.
• Experience in an inpatient psychiatric or behavioral health hospital.
• Specialty experience in specialty provided at facility (e.g., substance use or eating disorder experience).