Director of Clinical Services - Inpatient Behavioral Health

Acadia Healthcare • Chattanooga, TN

94d

About The Position

Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a psychiatric hospital that offers mental health care for a wide range of age groups from adolescent patients aged 12+ up to older adult patients. The Director of Clinical Services will oversee the clinical programs at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital leading behavioral health facility. This position ensures the delivery of high-quality patient care, program development, and regulatory compliance. The Director is responsible for providing clinical leadership, managing staff, and aligning services with the hospital's mission to treat patients with mental health and substance use disorders.

Requirements

• Master's degree in social work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field required.
• Current state licensure (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or equivalent) required.
• CPR and de-escalation certification required (training available upon hire).
• Minimum of 5-7 years of clinical leadership experience in behavioral health.
• Proven track record of program development, staff supervision, and operational oversight.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS) and experience ensuring compliance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in an inpatient psychiatric or behavioral health hospital.
• Knowledge of performance improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction to clinical teams, including therapists, social workers, and other staff.
• Oversee day-to-day clinical operations to ensure efficiency and collaboration between departments.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and patient-centered care.
• Serve as a member of the facility leadership team and make independent clinical decisions to ensure quality care.
• Engage collaboratively with corporate leadership and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate evidenced-based clinical programs to meet community needs.
• Integrate evidence-based practices into treatment plans and ensure their alignment with hospital goals.
• Lead initiatives to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction while optimizing resource use.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and accrediting bodies like Joint Commission and CMS.
• Monitor clinical performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Oversee documentation and reporting to maintain accurate patient records.
• Ensure safety and infection control requirements are met.
• Supervise, mentor, and support clinical staff, promoting professional growth and competency.
• Provide clinical supervision to clinical staff as needed, ensuring all clinical staff are trained on and consistently implement evidenced-based practices.
• 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.
• Conduct regular reviews of caseloads to optimize utilization of services.
• Provide training and oversight for staff, including CPR, de-escalation, and other required certifications.
• Work with hospital leadership to align clinical services with hospital-wide initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison between clinical staff, administration, and external partners, fostering clear communication.
• Engage with community organizations and healthcare providers to enhance patient access to services.
• Direct crisis intervention efforts and oversee case planning and care coordination.
• Maintain a limited caseload when necessary and provide onsite coverage for other programs.
• Develop operating policies and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and standards of care.
• Recognize patient safety as a top priority and work to resolve complaints if needs are unmet.
• Participate in on-call rotation schedule as determined and required by facility.
• Support business development, engage with local community groups, participate in education events, and collaborate with referral sources to build and maintain strong relationships.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Ambulatory Health Care Services
• Education Level: Master's degree