Director of Behavioral Health

Company: Mission Community Hospital
Location: Panorama City
Posted on: April 3, 2026

Job Description:

Nursing Director, Behavioral Health Services POSITION SUMMARY Under the direction of the Chief Nursing Officer/Chief Operating Officer, the Nursing Director of Behavioral Health Services, is responsible for providing and managing the structure; human and material resources that are necessary for effective patient care delivery for a given unit. This position has 24-hr/ 7-day week responsibility; with both immediate and long-term operations planning. This position director is responsible for inpatient behavioral health service operations. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES SERVICE PERFORMANCE Greets/acknowledges customers warmly, with a smile, and immediately when they enter department/unit/area. Asks how the customer may be helped with interest and concern. Listens attentively, does not interrupt. Accepts ownership and takes action to resolve customer needs and/or concerns. Is attentive and responsive to the expectations of physicians, co-workers and direct reports. Accepts constructive criticism and modifies actions accordingly. Is generous in acknowledging a job well done. Uses words and behaviors that express consideration, concern and respect. Facilitates and holds staff accountable for meeting department customer service standards in the performance of duties. Utilizes telephone skills effectively as outlined in the Star Service Program. Keeps all private information about staff or patients confidential. Identifies customers and their service requirements. Meets or exceeds customer service improvement targets as demonstrated by dashboards, etc. VALUE ADDED – INCREASES WORTH OF SERVICE TO MISSION COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Participates in marketing activities of the Hospital including but not limited to committees/task forces, speaking engagements, conducting tours, Hospital sponsored health fairs. Contributes to marketing materials such as brochures, newsletters, teaching materials. Participates in staff recognition activities in ways that reward behaviors reflecting positively on Mission Community Hospital. Engages in interdepartmental /multi-department/house-wide process improvement forums/task forces/committees. Offers and implements solutions to challenges/problems. Assist with development-related activities including fund raising programs & activities. Monitors the marketplace and recommends new and creative business opportunities. Analyzes targeted existing services and product lines for cost/benefit and develops appropriate strategies to improve growth where applicable. Attends/participates in activities that contribute to professional growth and development. LEADERSHIP Develops a unit/departmental organizational structure by which the hospital goals, objectives and Mission can be achieved. Participates in establishing practice standards that assure department needs are met in an optimum fashion that is economically sound. Assures standards comply with local, state, and federal law and regulatory requirements. Establishes a climate of participative management that encourages relevant change and allows for individual growth and development. Maintains effective communication within department, division, and with all relevant colleagues, divisions and Medical Staff. Maintains an ongoing awareness of the status, issues, successes and programs of the assigned areas/departments. Assures coordination of departmental activities through appropriate committee assignments, defined feedback mechanisms, and periodic evaluation. Provides a climate for achievement by educating and encouraging excellence in practice. Assists in administration and coordination of Hospital activities. Recommends changes in the administrative policies to carry out objectives of inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services more effectively. Recommends improvement of hospital behavioral health facilities including construction or renovation of structure and purchase of new equipment based on personal inspection of premises, consideration of hospital policies, and knowledge of community needs and resources. Interprets hospital and department policies, objective, and operational procedures to direct reports. Develops and implements policies and procedures to support the provision of services. Works effectively as part of the department team to facilitate department’s ability to meet goals and objectives. Effectively integrates department/unit functions into the overall operations of MCH by collaborating with other department heads to assure the smooth integration of services. Assures department/unit representation on interdisciplinary task forces/committees as requested. Communicates with other managers / directors department specific priorities, deadline adjustments and availability. Is responsible and flexible in interactions with other managers / directors. Submits accurate and timely status reports to senior management and/or hospital committees as required. Provides, collaboratively with the nursing leadership team, effective and seamless 24/7 on-call administrative coverage of the nursing department including acting as Administrative House Supervisor when required. HUMAN RESOURCES/ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Maintains current and appropriate competencies, including age specific if appropriate, for all positions in areas of responsibility. Conducts complete formal and informal performance appraisals/competency assessments on or before established deadlines. Monitors and identifies employee opportunities for improvement as well as performance excellence. Conducts firm, fair, objective and effective counseling/disciplinary action as close to the deficiency or trend identification with plans for correction and realistic time frames for improvement. Assures all employees have appropriate licensure and mandatory classes; does not let employees work if any required credentials have expired. Fosters staff participation educational opportunities as evidenced by annual employee educational log. Participates in developing, implementing and evaluating job specific orientation and training programs based on identified need. Applies policies, procedures and performance standards consistently and without favoritism, including but not limited to interviews, hiring, performance reviews, promotions, terminations, compensation and discipline. Informs and ensures staff adheres to policies, procedures and performance standards including but not limited to employee health, infection control, safety, security, dress, appearance and other employee standards. Ensures own required licenses, certifications or other credentials are current. Assures adequate staffing and skill mix for provision of services. Follows appropriate procedures for filling vacancies and new positions. PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT Identifies opportunities to improve department/unit care and/or service. Collaborates with the leadership in performance improvement activities. Encourages collaborative interdisciplinary participation in the PIP process. Identifies the process, barriers to outcomes and corrective action plans. Collects and reports data to monitor effectiveness of action plans; modifies plans as appropriate. Follows a disciplined process improvement method. Uses performance improvement tools. Assumes leadership of at least one multidisciplinary effort. Actively participates in the Hospital’s Performance Improvement Process. Provides appropriate patient care support and leadership for established process improvement action teams as well as other interdisciplinary function teams. Supports and empowers employees to improve quality of care and/or service. Develops and supports the PIP process in department/unit services. BUDGET/FISCAL MANAGEMENT Monitors and accurately updates paid time into automated time keeping system at least weekly. Assists with or updates “staffing matrix” accurately at least every other day and reconciles results each pay period. Contributes to the preparation and analysis of departmental/unit capital, labor, and operating budgets. Manages monthly FTE, Expense and Capital budgets within approved parameters. Documents, explains/justifies and corrects negative variances as warranted. Demonstrates appropriate utilization of information sources in department/unit operations. Maintains awareness of, and complies with both internal and external information reporting requirements. Assures appropriate supply and utilization of resources. Monitors work processes to ensure optimum productivity. Minimizes overtime and employment of supplemental personnel. Contributes to the value analysis process by championing reviews, suggesting and implementing cost savings measures and products. Monitors Units of Service (UOS) and flexes staff appropriately. Participates in identifying actions directed at reducing denied reimbursement for services provided. Utilizes approved procedures/processes for obtaining/purchasing supplies and equipment. COMPLIANCE Completes unusual occurrence forms within 24 hours of event. Completes investigations/assessments thoroughly and timely; corrective action plans are formulated and implemented. Promptly (upon learning of an incident) reports any suspected or potential violations of laws, regulations, procedures, policies and practices, and cooperates with investigations as indicated. Conducts all transactions in compliance with all corporate and medical center policies, procedures, standards and practices. Facilitates/fosters compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, procedures, policies and practices required by the job, based on the scope of practice of the position. Facilitates identification and reporting of occurrences of potential liability to the Hospital. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Demonstrates appropriate utilization of information sources in department/unit operations. Attends leadership meetings and transmits information to employees. Conducts staff meetings on a regular basis. Assures the flow of information between senior management and the department/unit. Acts as a conduit for employees to provide information to senior management. Assures that policy and procedure manuals and other reference materials are current and accessible. Develops and submits accurate management reports on or before established target dates. Maintains an effective process that assures the department specific charge master is routinely and accurately updated. Monitors and initiates corrective actions that assure charges are completely and accurately captured by responsible staff. Uses department specific information systems applications efficiently and effectively. Accesses and creates department specific information system application reports. Conducts reality and validation assessments of data processed by the department. Serves as an effective resource to IS to ensure accurate entry/updating of department specific systems applications. Complies with hospital policies, accreditation agency standards and state and federal confidentiality requirements related to management of information, including HIPAA. Trains or facilitates training of staff on the information systems applications used in their departments. Obtains necessary training prior to initial equipment and software use. Uses software at an intermediate level. CLINICAL PRACTICE/SUPERVISION – Demonstrates expertise in management of and participation in clinical practice: Directs and supervises the use of the nursing process in the delivery, documentation, and management of patient care. Monitors patient care delivery and documentation for assigned patient care areas, including evenings/nights/weekends, and, using participative principles, formulates/implements/evaluates corrective actions. Observes/manages the staff’s performance of their tasks/roles/responsibilities within scope of practice regulations. Communicates and directs compassionate care delivery and staff/patient communication that supports and respects the patient’s worth and dignity. Makes patient rounds on assigned units daily including but not limited to new admissions, patients with high acuity or intensive/unusual service needs or expressed concerns. Acts as a patient advocate in the coordination/delivery of high quality patient care. Ensures adherence to nursing standards of care, CDPH/DMH regulations (Title 22, Scope of Practice), Federal regulations (CMS, OSHA, HIPPA) and accreditation standards. Promotes inter/intra departmental collaboration and communication in the management of clinical practice and the delivery of patient care. Evaluates nursing practice/care trends and updates care model/standards/policies/procedures. Utilizes organizational and group dynamics to facilitate the change process. Utilizes opportunities to function as both a designer and initiation of controlled change in the work environment. Approaches unit/inter/intra departmental problems/issues in a positive fashion with resolution as agreed upon with Chief Nursing Officer/Chief Operating Officer (CNO/COO). Assures that all patient care adverse events are reported timely to appropriate executive team members and medical staff committees. Maintains effective working relationships with medical staff leadership. Assures that nurses, other patient care staff and physicians perform collaboratively as our core “patient care team.” Participates in medical staff meetings relevant to assigned department/units as assigned. ENVIRONMENT OF CARE: Performs/directs personal/department role in Safety Management Plan including assuring that department safety policies are current and enforced and hazardous conditions are corrected in a timely manner. Assures staff participation in annual mandatory safety education. Provides employees with department specific safety-related training, as required. Assures provision and availability of personal protective equipment, as indicated. Collaborates with the department Director in reducing accidents and injuries. Promotes the concept of “safety first” in the performance of job functions. Performs/directs appropriate departmental/unit response to fire, disaster and other emergency situation including response to and participation in drills. Performs/directs appropriate departmental/unit role in the Security Management Plan. Initiates appropriate procedure for obtaining emergency assistance when appropriate. Performs/directs appropriate departmental/unit role in the Hazardous Materials Management/Communication Plan including reporting and taking appropriate precautions in handling hazardous materials in compliance with regulatory requirements. Performs/directs appropriate departmental/unit role in medical waste management by assuring staff are knowledgeable about hazardous materials in their practice and how to locate and access MSDS information. Performs/directs appropriate departmental/unit roles in the Emergency Preparedness Plan including keeping personal and staff information on call-back list current. Assures appropriate departmental/unit response to and participates appropriately in disaster drills. Performs/directs appropriate departmental/unit role in the Medical Equipment Management Plan. Understands procedure for and directs reporting an equipment malfunction. Performs/directs appropriate departmental/unit response to and participation in compliance with Safe Medical Device Act. Performs/directs appropriate departmental/unit role in the Utilities Management Plan including reporting, taking and directing appropriate action in the event of a utilities failure. Assures patient safety during disruption of service. Complies with infection control policies and procedures by taking appropriate corrective action when noncompliance is identified including collaborating with the Infection Control Nurse. Assures current TB screening by employees; maintains current TB screening for self. QUALIFICATIONS: General Requirements Current California RN license Baccalaureate degree in Nursing preferred. BLS MAB/PART Certified ACLS preferred Minimum of 5 years nursing experience, two of which are in an area of responsibility. Excellent written/verbal communication skills. Experience in budget preparation/operation. Computer skilled with experience using Microsoft Office software at an intermediate level. Physical Demand Analysis Physical Requirements : Ability to negotiate physical environment safely. Ability to completely lift up to 35 pounds. Ability to lift patients (including with assistance for more challenging patients). Visual Requirements: Ability to translate and understand written communications and negotiate physical environment safely. Hearing Requirements: Ability to understand and translate auditory communications. Working Conditions : Office working conditions: Usual office environment. Patient Care Areas: Usual work environment.

Keywords: Mission Community Hospital, Pasadena , Director of Behavioral Health, Healthcare , Panorama City, California