Director of Nursing Behavioral Health

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you're making a difference in people's lives.

The Director of Nursing, Inpatient Behavioral Health provides strategic and operational leadership across inpatient units, ensuring safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role supports Nurse Managers and drives consistency in clinical standards, staffing, regulatory compliance, quality outcomes, and financial performance. In partnership with clinical and administrative leaders, the Director ensures care aligns with professional and regulatory standards while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team. This is a leadership-focused role with indirect patient care oversight.

Job Description:

Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesClinical Leadership & Regulatory OversightMaintain expertise in psychiatric nursing and inpatient regulationsLead development and standardization of nursing policies and practicesEnsure compliance with DMH, DPH, CMS, and Joint Commission standardsTranslate regulatory changes into operational practicePromote trauma-informed, patient-centered careQuality, Safety & Performance ImprovementOversee patient safety systems and clinical risk trendsLead quality and safety initiatives (restraints, falls, medication safety)Drive corrective action plans and sustained improvementsPartner to ensure survey readinessFinancial & Operational ManagementManage nursing budgets and labor expenses across six unitsAnalyze productivity, census, and staffing modelsConduct variance analyses and implement solutionsSupport financial decision-making among nursing leadersLeadership & Workforce DevelopmentSupervise Nurse Managers and oversee hiring and performance managementSupport succession planning and leadership developmentEnsure compliance with HR policies and union agreementsStrategy & Systems ImprovementEvaluate service line performance and set strategic directionStandardize processes and align with system initiativesUse data and benchmarking to drive improvementsCommunication & CollaborationPartner with interdisciplinary and executive teamsServe as liaison for nursingFacilitate communication, decision-making, and conflict resolutionProfessional LeadershipMentor Nurse Managers and lead change initiativesPromote accountability, ethics, and evidence-based practiceMinimum QualificationsMaster's degree in Nursing (required)RN license in Massachusetts (required)7+ years progressive nursing leadership; 5+ years in managementBehavioral health and multi-unit experience preferredExperience in unionized settings preferredScope & ScheduleOversees six inpatient behavioral health units with accountability for quality, safety, compliance, labor, and leadership development.

On-call required; hours vary based on operational needs

Pay Range:

$130,000.00 USD - $195,000.00 USDThe pay range listed for this position is the annual base salary range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled