Psychiatric - Mental Health Physician

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

Education

• Doctorate Degree Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy with an unrestricted license (Required)
• Appointment with CWRU SOM at the level commensurate with experience (Required)

Work Experience

• Fellowship Training in some specialties (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)

Additional Salary Detail:

The salary range and/or hourly rate listed reflects a good faith estimate of the potential base compensation for this physician position at the time of posting. This range is subject to change and may be updated in the future. Actual compensation will be determined by various factors, including (but not limited to) location, specialty, academic rank, board certification, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, internal equity, etc. Unless otherwise noted, this figure does not include incentive pay or the value of University Hospitals' comprehensive benefits package. Click here to view complete wellness and benefits details.