Senior Director, Nursing

About the role

The Senior Director of Medical & Nursing Services provides senior operational leadership across medical and nursing services, including psychiatric providers, primary care providers, nursing leadership, patient safety, infection prevention, and regulatory readiness. They also oversee the Director of Nursing and support strong, consistent nursing operations across Heritage programs and service sites.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior operational leadership across medical and nursing services, including psychiatric providers, primary care providers, nursing leadership, patient safety, infection prevention, and regulatory readiness
• Oversee the Director of Nursing and support strong, consistent nursing operations across Heritage programs and service sites, ensuring compliance with CCBHC standards and applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Partner with the Medical Directors as the senior operational leader for medical and nursing services, strengthening coordination between providers and nursing teams
• Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, and clinical protocols to maintain high standards of care and regulatory compliance
• Maintain an active, revenue-generating NP practice (approximately 15% of time), staying connected to direct patient care while leadership remains the primary responsibility
• Collaborate with executive leadership and interdisciplinary teams to integrate medical and nursing services with organizational strategic goals and clinical operations
• Monitor patient care outcomes and quality metrics, utilizing data to drive continuous improvement in clinical practice, patient safety, and care delivery
• Lead and participate in quality improvement initiatives, accreditation processes, and regulatory reviews relevant to medical and nursing services
• Ensure organizational readiness for surveys, audits, and compliance reviews by maintaining up-to-date policies, documentation, and staff training
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluation, and professional development across medical and nursing services to foster a skilled, engaged, and motivated workforce
• Identify training needs and develop or coordinate educational programming to support clinical competency and staff growth
• Serve as a resource and escalation point for clinical and operational issues
• Promote and support the well-being, resilience, and professional satisfaction of medical and nursing staff at all levels
• Ensure effective communication and coordination between providers, nursing staff, clinical departments, and organizational leadership to optimize patient care delivery
• Attend the weekly Executive Team meeting as a standing participant, bringing forward medical and nursing items and contributing to organizational planning and decision-making from a clinical perspective
• Serve as a key advocate for clinical staff and patients, representing the voice of medical and nursing services in organizational priorities and resource planning
• Participate in budget planning and resource allocation to support medical and nursing services, staffing needs, and operational efficiency
• Evaluate and manage clinically related vendor relationships, supply chains, and equipment needs in partnership with operations leadership
• Utilize data and outcomes to make informed recommendations for resource investment and program development

Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted Nurse Practitioner license in the State of Illinois required; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PCNP) certification required
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) required; Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) preferred
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive clinical experience, including demonstrated leadership or management experience; experience in behavioral health, community health, or similarly complex clinical environments preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral health clinical practices and regulatory compliance
• Experience with quality improvement processes, patient safety standards, and clinical outcomes management
• Experience in budget management and strategic planning within healthcare organizations preferred
• Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems and data analytics tools relevant to clinical operations preferred

Skills

• Deep knowledge of behavioral health clinical practice, CCBHC standards, and applicable regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and guide diverse clinical teams
• Analytical skills to interpret quality metrics, patient outcomes, and operational data to drive improvement
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills across multidisciplinary teams, physicians, and executive leadership
• Strategic thinking and resource management skills to support operational efficiency and program advancement
• Proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) systems and clinical data tools

Benefits

• Generous Time Off: Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
• Wellness Benefits: Every other Friday off (paid), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and fitness reimbursement
• Insurance: Health, dental, vision, flex spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care), and additional life insurance
• Retirement: 401(k) and Roth options
• Tuition assistance and continuing education opportunities

Pay

$170,000 – $200,000

Schedule

Monday–Friday with core hours of 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM