Director - Inpatient Behavioral Health Services

The Director of Behavioral Health Services provides strategic, operational, and clinical leadership for inpatient behavioral health programs serving adult and geriatric populations with complex medical and psychiatric needs. This leader oversees a multidisciplinary team focused on delivering safe, high-quality care, promoting patient stabilization, and supporting effective transitions across the continuum of care. The Director is accountable for clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, workforce engagement, financial stewardship, and operational performance across multiple specialized units. As a key member of the leadership team, this role advances the organization's vision for behavioral health services while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and compassionate care.

Full-Time - 1.0 FTE/80 Hours Biweekly

Occasional weekends for rounding

General Summary

Provides clinical direction and management of activities related to the care management of assigned patient population, including clinical policy development and implementation, clinical data management and reporting, achieving clinical outcomes, improving cost effectiveness, and interdisciplinary collaboration and coordination in the management of patient care.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages the care management program for assigned patient population including clinical policy development and implementation, clinical data management and reporting, achieving improved clinical outcomes, improving cost effectiveness, and interdisciplinary collaboration and coordination in the management of patient care.
• Collaborates with other clinical leaders to advance clinical process, system improvement, and sharing of resources across the system.
• Directs a collaborative planning process with clinicians within the service line to meet the needs of the assigned patient population.
• Manages the clinical staffing across the continuum of care and maintains a flexible budget.
• Collaborates with, and mentors the clinical management team within the service line.
• Coordinates clinical performance improvement activities within the service line.

Common Expectations

• Recommends staffing levels, selects and assigns staff, evaluates performance, evaluates/tests competencies (as applicable), provides orientation, training and continuing education of staff, and initiates or makes recommendations for personnel actions.
• Develops, establishes and implements goals, objectives, and policies and procedures for department/service line/entity operation, and which guide and support the provision of the department/service line/entity's services.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
• Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, inservice meetings, professional nursing organizations and workshops.
• Attends meetings as required, and participates on committees as requested.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Qualifications

Minimum Education

• Bachelors Degree In Nursing. Required and
• Masters Degree Within 3 years. Required

Work Experience

• 3 years Relevant experience. Required

Licenses

• Licensed Registered Nurse Upon Hire Required or
• Registered Nurse Multi State License Upon Hire Required

Courses and Training

• Appropriate clinical specialty certification as required. Upon Hire Required

Benefits Offered

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Education assistance
• Financial education and support, including DailyPay
• Expanded Paid Parental Leave

For additional details: Benefits & Incentives | WellSpan Careers (joinwellspan.org)

WellSpan Health’s vision is to reimagine healthcare through the delivery of comprehensive, equitable health and wellness solutions throughout our continuum of care. As an integrated delivery system focused on leading in value-based care, we encompass more than 2,300 employed providers, 250 locations, nine award-winning hospitals, home care and a behavioral health organization serving central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. Our high-performing Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is the region’s largest and one of the best in the nation. With a team 23,000 strong, WellSpan experts provide a range of services, from wellness and employer services solutions to advanced care for complex medical and behavioral conditions. Our clinically integrated network of 3,000 aligned physicians and advanced practice providers is dedicated to providing the highest quality and safety, inspiring our patients and communities to be their healthiest.