Director of Admissions

UHS•Newark, DE

About The Position

The Director of Admissions provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the hospital’s Admissions Department. This role directs a team of specialists responsible for patient access and behavioral health assessment services, including call management, clinical evaluations for level of care, crisis intervention, admissions, and referrals. The Director collaborates closely with medical and nursing staff, department leaders, administration, and external referral sources and payers to ensure an efficient and patient‑centered intake process. This position is accountable for departmental budgeting, policy and procedure development, regulatory compliance, service excellence, and data management and analysis. Additionally, the Director of Admissions serves as a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to the development and execution of processes that support the hospital’s strategic goals.

Requirements

MSN/BSN preferred.
A minimum of five (5) years direct clinical experience in a psychiatric or mental health setting desirable.
Admissions experience preferred.
Working knowledge of mental illness/chemical dependency and experience in clinical interviewing, patient assessment, treatment planning, communicating with external review organizations or comparable entities.
A minimum of three (3) years of managing a professional/clinical team and responsible for staffing, budget, and process improvements.

Responsibilities

Contribute to strategic planning as part of the senior leadership team.
Lead and oversee daily operations of the Admissions Department counselors, specialists and registered nurses.
Supervise specialists handling patient access and behavioral health assessments.
Manage call intake, level‑of‑care evaluations, crisis intervention, admissions, and referrals.
Coordinate with medical staff, nursing, administration, and external referral sources/payers.
Oversee departmental budget, staffing, and resource use.
Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and workflows for compliance and efficiency.
Ensure adherence to all regulatory and accreditation standards.
Promote service excellence and a patient‑centered admissions process.
Manage data collection, reporting, and analysis to drive performance improvement.
Participates in emergency crisis interventions according to age appropriate techniques.
Provides patient care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner that considers cultural diversity and age appropriateness so that autonomy, rights, and dignity are preserved.