Director of Clinical Services

Ascension St. Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital • Nashville, TN

7d • $105,000 - $115,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Clinical Services (DCS) provides leadership and clinical oversight to ensure the highest standards of clinical excellence and patient-centered care. This role exists to design, implement, and sustain evidence-based treatment programs (e.g., CBT, DBT) that drive measurable outcomes, uphold regulatory compliance, and foster recovery across the continuum of care. By championing evidence-based practices, advancing staff competencies, and embedding fidelity to proven models of care, the DCS creates a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Through collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and leaders, the DCS ensures that high-quality clinical services are provided consistently and in alignment with hospital’s mission and goals.
We are a mission-driven team dedicated to making a real impact in behavioral health. At Ascension St. Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital, you’ll work alongside experienced clinicians in a collaborative environment where your expertise is valued and your work helps patients build healthier futures.
Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital is a trusted source of inpatient treatment for adults age 18 and older who have been struggling with anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental and behavioral health concerns.

Requirements

• License-bearing Master’s or Doctorate degree in Behavioral or Mental Health (e.g., MSW, MA in marriage and family, MA in professional counseling, PhD in Clinical, Counseling, or Educational Psychology), or PsyD
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience working with clinical population of the facility required
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience
• Familiarity with regulatory standards (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS, CARF) and experience ensuring compliance
• Excellent leadership, collaboration, and communication skills among audiences ranging from front-line clinical staff to facility leadership
• Independently Licensed Clinician – e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, Psychologist license
• MA in Social Work (MSW/LCSW) strongly preferred
• Experience in an inpatient psychiatric or behavioral health hospital

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction to clinical teams, including therapists, social workers, and other staff
• Oversee day-to-day clinical operations, including budget management, developing marketing and strategic plans and independent decision making for program requiring clinical expertise
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and patient-centered care and ensures efficiency and collaboration between departments
• Serve as a member of the facility leadership team and make independent clinical decisions to ensure quality care and alignment with organizational goals
• Provide direction and oversight to staff members
• Provide clinical consultation, oversight of case planning and care coordination
• Direct crisis intervention efforts and intervene as required
• 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 – including assessments, implementation of measurement-based care, and evidenced-based interventions
• 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
• Ensure staff are current on all certifications and regulatory requirements
• Develop and implement clinical programs based on evidence-based models (e.g., CBT, DBT) and integrate evidence-based practices into treatment plans
• Evaluate clinical performance metrics, including service-delivery models, patient-reported outcomes, satisfaction scores, length of stay, treatment completion, and discharge effectiveness
• Conduct regular clinical audits to ensure high-quality documentation, fidelity to care models, and appropriate levels of care
• Champion best practices in suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and risk mitigation, ensuring standardized application across facilities
• Facilitate the continuum of care, partnering with outpatient facilities to develop robust step-down processes
• Provide clinical oversight of other programs and levels of care as needed
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and accrediting bodies (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS, CARF, state licensing boards)
• 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
• Work with hospital or facility leadership to align clinical services with hospital-wide initiatives
• Work with hospital or facility leadership to ensure alignment of clinical services with organizational initiatives and values
• 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
• Demonstrates a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.
• Complies with organizational policies, procedures, performance improvement initiatives and maintains organizational and industry policies regarding confidentiality
• Communicates clearly and effectively to person(s) receiving services and their family members, guests, and other members of the healthcare team
• Develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintains them over time
• Encourages and builds mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members and staff
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance
• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned

Benefits

• Relocation Assistance
• Professional Growth & Career Pathing
• Executive Mentorship
• Competitive Salary & Bonuses
• Comprehensive Health Benefits - medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with Company Match
• Generous PTO - vacation, holidays, extended sick leave, and mental health days
• Industry-Leading Training & Support

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director