Director of Behavioral Health Admissions

Beth Israel Lahey Health

2d•Onsite

About The Position

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives. The Director of Behavioral Health Admissions oversees the clinical and administrative operations of the psychiatric Transfer Center and admissions department for psychiatric inpatient units across Beth Israel Lahey Health. This role ensures compliance with regulatory reporting requirements, manages daily statistics and analysis, and provides leadership for staff in maintaining high-quality care. The Director collaborates with clinical teams to uphold a safe and therapeutic environment and ensures the department meets its operational, clinical, and budgetary goals. The role also includes 24/7 accountability for the department and attendance at leadership meetings.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required.
Licensure as an RN, LICSW, LMHC, or other relevant credentials in Massachusetts.
Proficiency in computer applications (e.g., Basic Excel, Intermediate Word, and electronic medical records).
Strong interpersonal, leadership, and administrative skills.
Fluency in English (verbal and written).

Nice To Haves

A Master’s degree is preferred but not mandatory.
Leadership and management experience in a clinical or psychiatric setting preferred.
Knowledge of psychiatric admissions processes, managed care contracts, and emergency assessments preferred.
Prior experience with Epic preferred.

Responsibilities

Manages and assesses the day to day operations of the department and throughput needs of the Inpatient BH programs across BILH.
Provides consultation to intake staff as needed.
Ensure strong and positive commitment to quality patient care.
Interpret and communicate hospital policies, procedures, and goals to admissions personnel.
Oversee investigations of incidents, accidents, and grievances, including required follow-up reports.
Lead the department in quality improvement studies with positive patient care outcomes.
Lead the team in planning, coordinating, and supervising psychiatric admissions activities to all BILH inpatient BH programs.
Develop, implement, and evaluate department budgets in collaboration with the Executive Director of the Clinical Integration and Innovation Center.
Directs and supports employees daily work activities.
Makes decisions on the following employee actions in collaboration with Human Resources (as needed) hiring, termination, corrective action and performance reviews.
Manage staffing to align with budgetary guidelines.
Direct and oversee disciplinary and termination processes for staff as needed.
Maintain regulatory reporting compliance and implement guidelines from DMH, DPH, JCAHO, payors, and other agencies.
Utilize Epic reporting to ensure accurate and timely reporting of daily statistics and perform data analysis to guide decision-making.
Participate in system-wide committees and support organizational goals.
Ensure department has processes and the tools to screen referrals and verify benefit availability and approval requirements.
Foster professional relationships with referral sources, payors, and hospital departments.
Serves as the BILH liaison with behavioral health entities throughout the region
Collaborates with stakeholders to develop new processes and optimize existing workflows when needed
Ensure all employees meet annual requirements for certifications such as CPR, Risk Management, and Aggression Management.
Responsible for department scheduling and payroll
Perform other duties as assigned.