Medical Director - Behavioral Health & Substance Use Treatment

Job Description

Job Description

Medical Director – Behavioral Health & Substance Use Treatment

Milestone Treatment Center | Virginia
Position Type: Part-time, 1099 Independent Contractor
Compensation: DOE
Work Location: In person, with availability for telephone consultation

Help Shape Care That Changes Lives

Milestone Treatment Center is seeking a qualified, compassionate physician to serve as Medical Director for our Virginia behavioral health and substance use treatment programs.

This opportunity combines meaningful clinical leadership with a part-time consulting arrangement. You will provide medical oversight, guide safe and effective treatment practices, and serve as a collaborating physician for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and other applicable nurse practitioners.

Our ideal candidate brings a strong psychiatric background, experience treating substance use and co-occurring disorders, and previous leadership as a Medical Director or collaborating physician in a behavioral health setting.

About Milestone Treatment Center

At Milestone, we help individuals facing addiction and mental health challenges move toward lasting recovery. Our approach centers on compassionate care, individualized treatment, and collaboration across disciplines. We are looking for a physician who shares that commitment and can help our clinical teams deliver thoughtful, consistent, high-quality care.

Your Role

As Medical Director, you will partner with program leadership, nurse practitioners, nursing staff, and clinical teams to strengthen medical services and support positive patient outcomes.

Medical Leadership & Program Oversight

• Provide medical oversight for behavioral health and substance use treatment services, supporting safe, evidence-based, patient-centered care.

• Help develop, implement, and review medical policies, procedures, clinical protocols, and quality assurance practices, including annual policy reviews.

• Support compliance with applicable Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) requirements, professional standards, and accreditation requirements.

• Participate in clinical, administrative, and quality improvement meetings; lead medical discussions and committee activities as appropriate.

• Partner with leadership on medical staffing needs, service planning, and improvements to patient care.

Nurse Practitioner Collaboration

• Serve as a collaborating physician, including as a patient care team physician under applicable Virginia practice agreements.

• Establish and maintain practice agreements where required, with clear expectations for consultation, record review, prescribing, and escalation of clinical concerns.

• Provide consultation on complex psychiatric presentations, medication decisions, co-occurring conditions, and patient safety concerns.

• Conduct periodic chart reviews and provide constructive clinical guidance consistent with applicable agreements and regulations.

Clinical Care & Medication Management

• Provide psychiatric and medical assessment, medication management, and direct patient care as needed within the agreed scope of services.

• Guide safe use and monitoring of psychiatric medications and medications for substance use disorders, including buprenorphine and other medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

• Review medical screenings, examination findings, laboratory results, and relevant outside records to help inform treatment planning.

• Order and interpret appropriate testing and coordinate referrals or medical follow-up when indicated.

• Support continuity of care across admissions, treatment, discharge, and transitions to other providers.

• Complete timely, accurate documentation in the electronic medical record.

Patient Safety & Team Support

• Provide timely guidance on urgent clinical concerns, including psychiatric crises, medication complications, and changes in medical stability.

• Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive care for individuals with substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders.

• Participate in staff education, clinical consultation, and relevant orientation activities.

• Promote patient rights, confidentiality, ethical practice, and a collaborative treatment environment.

Required Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) with an active, unrestricted Virginia medical license.

• Strong clinical background in psychiatry, behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment.

• Active DEA registration with appropriate controlled-substance prescribing authority.

• Experience with psychiatric medication management, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), MOUD, and buprenorphine treatment.

• Experience in outpatient behavioral health settings.

• Knowledge of Virginia DBHDS regulations and applicable medical oversight requirements.

• Eligibility and willingness to serve as a collaborating physician for PMHNPs and other applicable nurse practitioners under Virginia law.

• Strong clinical judgment, clear communication, and a collaborative leadership approach.

Preferred Qualifications

• Board certification or board eligibility in Psychiatry.

• Previous experience as a Medical Director in a behavioral health or substance use treatment setting.

• Previous experience serving as a collaborating physician for nurse practitioners.

• Experience with intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and partial hospitalization programs (PHP).

• Familiarity with applicable Joint Commission standards.

Schedule & Availability

• Part-time, 1099 independent contractor arrangement.

• Minimum of eight hours onsite each week.

• Availability for clinical consultation by telephone, with a response expectation of 30 minutes during agreed coverage periods.

• Specific scheduling, coverage expectations, and scope of services established in the contractor agreement.

Make a Meaningful Impact

Bring your expertise to a team committed to helping people rebuild their lives. At Milestone, your leadership will support our practitioners, strengthen our programs, and help patients receive the thoughtful medical care they deserve.

Apply with your CV and a brief summary of your relevant medical leadership, psychiatric treatment, and nurse practitioner collaboration experience.