Description
Position Type: Medical Director, Inpatient Adult/Geriatric Psychiatry Unit
Location: Lake Continuing Care Campus | University Hospitals Health System | Behavioral Health Institute
The Inpatient Psychiatry Medical Director provides clinical, operational, and strategic leadership for a hospital-based inpatient behavioral health unit. This role is responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, evidence-based, and patient-centered psychiatric care in a high-acuity environment.
The Medical Director partners closely with physician leadership, nursing, hospital administration, and interdisciplinary teams to optimize clinical outcomes, patient experience, operational efficiency, staff engagement, and regulatory compliance. This position plays a critical role in advancing quality, safety, and the overall performance of inpatient behavioral health services.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership & Oversight:
Provide physician leadership and clinical oversight for inpatient psychiatric services
Ensure delivery of evidence-based, trauma-informed, and patient-centered care
Serve as a clinical resource for complex and high-risk cases, including suicide risk, aggression, and co-occurring medical-psychiatric conditions
Promote a culture of safety, recovery-oriented care, and continuous learning
Support effective care coordination, including admissions, treatment planning, and discharge processes
Quality, Safety & Performance Improvement:
Lead quality improvement initiatives focused on patient safety, clinical outcomes, and experience of care
Monitor and improve key performance indicators, including length of stay, readmissions, patient flow, and clinical quality metrics
Oversee incident reporting, risk management, and root cause analyses with implementation of corrective action plans
Ensure compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and hospital standards
Maintain ongoing readiness for audits, surveys, and inspections
Operational & Administrative Leadership:
Partner with nursing, case management, and hospital operations to optimize workflows, patient throughput, and bed utilization
Develop, implement, and standardize clinical protocols, pathways, and unit procedures
Support physician and advanced practice provider staffing models, scheduling, and coverage planning
Contribute to budgeting, resource utilization, and cost-effective care delivery
Throughput, Utilization & Care Transitions:
Optimize patient flow, census management, and length of stay
Collaborate with emergency departments, outpatient providers, and community partners to ensure timely access and seamless transitions of care
Support discharge planning and continuity of care to reduce readmissions
Medical Staff Leadership & Development:
Recruit, onboard, mentor, and evaluate psychiatrists and advanced practice providers
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and professional interdisciplinary environment
Promote provider engagement, wellness, and professional development
Participate in medical staff governance, committees, and leadership forums
Strategic Planning & Collaboration:
Contribute to the strategic vision, growth, and program development of inpatient behavioral health services
Partner with hospital leadership and service lines to align unit goals with organizational priorities
Support program development and service enhancements
Serve as a liaison between inpatient behavioral health services and hospital leadership
Represent the unit in hospital-wide initiatives, committees, and interdisciplinary efforts
Requirements
Education:
Doctorate Degree Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy with an unrestricted license (Required)
Appointment with CWRU SOM at the level commensurate with experience (Required - Department will assist in facilitating this appointment)
Work Experience:
Fellowship Training in some specialties (Preferred, Not Required)
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
Knowledge of legal and ethical standards for the delivery of medical care. (Required proficiency)
Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards. (Required proficiency)
Knowledge of community medical diagnostic and patient care services in area of medical expertise. (Required proficiency)
Ability to supervise, advise, and train clinical professionals and/or students in area of expertise. (Required proficiency)
Knowledge of relevant drugs and non-pharmaceutical patient care aids and ability to prescribe dosages and instruct patients in correct usage. (Required proficiency)
Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops. (Required proficiency)
Knowledge of current principles, methods and procedures for the delivery of medical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment in area of expertise. (Required proficiency)
Ability to work both independently and in a team environment. (Required proficiency)
Knowledge of related accreditation and certification requirements. (Required proficiency)
Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress. (Required proficiency)
Effective verbal and written communication skills. (Required proficiency)
Experience using EPIC (Preferred proficiency)
Licenses and Certifications:
State of Ohio and Federal DEA Certification; Medical Specialty License or Certification; Board certified or Board eligible in Specified Area of Medical Specialty. (Required)
