A Director of Nursing manages and supervises all nursing staff at a hospital or long term care facility. Manages communications with physicians, manages budgets and expenses, and assists other administrators with managing operations. Monitors staff schedules and the quality of nursing care at the facility. Maintains professional license or certification requirements.
Senior Director, Nursing Heritage Behavioral Health Center 170000.00 To 200000.00 (USD) Annually 401(k) United States, Illinois, Decatur Jul 15, 2026
Job Title:
Senior Director of Medical & Nursing Services Reports to:
President and CEO Location:
Heritage Behavioral Health Center, Decatur, IL Schedule:
Monday-Friday with core hours of 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. This is a senior leadership position and carries the expectation of availability and responsiveness outside of standard hours as needed to support staff, clinical operations, and organizational priorities.
FLSA Status:
Exempt Position Type:
Full-Time Work Setting:
In-Person Position Overview:
Heritage Behavioral Health Center (HBHC) is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) providing comprehensive, integrated behavioral health and primary care services to individuals and families across central Illinois. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Nurse Practitioner (NP) to serve as our Senior Director of Medical & Nursing Services and provide senior operational leadership across the full scope of our medical and nursing services. Heritage's medical services have grown well beyond nursing and now encompass psychiatric providers, primary care providers, nursing leadership, patient safety, infection prevention, regulatory readiness, and coordination across our medical and nursing teams. The Senior Director serves as the senior operational leader for these services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care that aligns with CCBHC standards, regulatory requirements, and Heritage's mission. This role reports directly to the President and CEO, sits just below the executive level, and holds a standing seat at the weekly Executive Team meeting, bringing forward medical and nursing items so the Executive Team has consistent visibility into this side of the organization. This is primarily a leadership role, with approximately 85% of time dedicated to administrative and operational responsibilities and 15% dedicated to direct patient care, allowing the Senior Director to maintain an active NP practice, contribute revenue to the organization, and stay connected to the patient care experience while leadership remains the primary responsibility. We welcome applications from both Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) and Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (PCNP) who bring demonstrated leadership experience and a commitment to advancing integrated care within a behavioral health setting. Organizational Structure & Reporting Reports directly to the President and CEO, positioned just below the executive level, with a standing seat at the weekly Executive Team meeting
Provides direct leadership to the Director of Nursing, whoretainsresponsibility for day-to-day nursing operations, staffing, competencies, scheduling, and the nursing managers
Partners closely with Heritage's Medical Directors, who report directly to the President and CEO, serving as the senior operational leader for medical and nursing services
Coordinates across psychiatric providers, primary care providers, and nursing teams to strengthen provider-nursing collaboration and integrated care delivery
Leadership & Team Expectations:
Champion a culture of compassionate, patient-centered care grounded in trauma-informed and recovery-oriented principles
Lead medical and nursing services teams with integrity, transparency, and accountability across all levels of the organization
Foster a collaborative, inclusive work environment that supports staff development and retention
Maintain a visible, approachable leadership presence across clinical programs and sites
Model and reinforce professional standards, ethical practice, and continuous improvement
Core Responsibilities Include:
Medical & Nursing Services Leadership Provide senior operational leadership across medical and nursing services, including psychiatric providers, primary care providers, nursing leadership, patient safety, infection prevention, and regulatory readiness
Oversee the Director of Nursing and support strong, consistent nursing operations across Heritage programs and service sites, ensuring compliance with CCBHC standards and applicable federal, state, and local regulations
Partner with the Medical Directors as the senior operational leader for medical and nursing services, strengthening coordination between providers and nursing teams
Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, and clinical protocols tomaintainhigh standardsof care and regulatory compliance
Serve as the organizational expert on clinical practice standards, scope of practice, and care delivery across behavioral health, primary care, and community-based settings
Maintain an active, revenue-generating NP practice (approximately 15% of time), staying connected to direct patient care while leadershipremainsthe primary responsibility Strategy, Quality & Compliance Collaborate with executive leadership and interdisciplinary teams to integrate medical and nursing services with organizational strategic goals and clinical operations
Monitor patient care outcomes and quality metrics,utilizingdata to drive continuous improvement in clinical practice, patient safety, and care delivery
Lead andparticipatein quality improvement initiatives, accreditation processes, and regulatory reviews relevant to medical and nursing services
Ensure organizational readiness for surveys, audits, and compliance reviews bymaintainingup-to-date policies, documentation, and staff training Workforce Development & Staff Support Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluation, and professional development across medical and nursing services to foster a skilled, engaged, and motivated workforce
Identifytraining needs and develop or coordinate educational programming to support clinical competency and staff growth
Support clinical leaders across programs and sites, serving as a resource and escalation point for clinical and operational issues
Promote and support the well-being, resilience, and professional satisfaction of medical and nursing staff at all levels Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Communication Ensure effective communication and coordination between providers, nursing staff, clinical departments, and organizational leadership tooptimizepatient care delivery
Attend the weekly Executive Team meeting as a standing participant, bringing forward medical and nursing items and contributing to organizational planning and decision-making from a clinical perspective
Collaborate with IT, compliance, and program leadership on initiativesimpactingclinical workflows, including electronic health record (EHR) systems andeMARimplementation
Serve as a key advocate for clinical staff and patients,representingthe voice of medical and nursing services in organizational priorities and resource planning Resource & Financial Management Participate in budget planning and resource allocation to support medical and nursing services, staffing needs, and operational efficiency
Evaluate and manage clinically related vendor relationships, supply chains, and equipment needs in partnership with operations leadership
Utilize data and outcomes to make informed recommendations for resource investment and program development Performance Expectations /
What Success Looks Like:
The Senior Director of Medical & Nursing Services will be successful in this role when: Medical and nursing staff across all programs feel supported, well-prepared, and equipped to deliver high-quality care
Clinical policies, protocols, and practices are current, compliant, and consistently implemented across the organization
Quality metrics and patient outcomes reflect continuous improvement and alignment with CCBHC standards
Executive leadership, Medical Directors, and interdisciplinary teams view the Senior Director as a trusted, collaborative partner in advancing Heritage's mission
Coordination between providers and nursing teams is strong, consistent, and centered on patient care
Workforce development efforts result in a skilled, engaged, and stable clinical team across all sites
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Deep knowledge of behavioral health clinical practice, CCBHC standards, and applicable regulatory requirements
Demonstrated leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and guide diverse clinical teams
Analytical skills to interpret quality metrics, patient outcomes, and operational data to drive improvement
Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills across multidisciplinary teams, physicians, and executive leadership
Strategic thinking and resource management skills to support operational efficiency and program advancement
Proficiencywith electronic health record (EHR) systems and clinical data tools
Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead effectively in a complex, fast-paced behavioral health environment
Education and Experience:
Active, unrestricted Nurse Practitioner license in the State of Illinoisrequired; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PCNP) certificationrequired
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)required; Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive clinical experience, includingdemonstratedleadership or management experience; experience in behavioral health, community health, or similarly complex clinical environments preferred
Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral health clinical practices and regulatory compliance
Experience with quality improvement processes, patient safety standards, and clinical outcomes management
Experience in budget management and strategic planning within healthcare organizations preferred
Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems and data analytics tools relevant to clinical operations preferred
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
Ability to sit, stand, and work at a computer for extended periods
Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of current auto insurancerequired
Travel required across Heritage program sites and community locations as needed
Ability to respond calmly and effectively in crisis or emergency situations
Ability tomaintaincurrent
CPR Certification Compensation & Benefits:
Salary Range:
$170,000 - $200,000.
Sign-On Bonus:
This position is eligible for a $10,000 sign-on bonus with a 2-year service commitment, paid out in increments within the first year of employment. Heritage offers the following with this position:
Generous Time Off:
Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
Wellness Benefits:
Every other Friday off (paid), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and fitness reimbursement