Director, Inpatient Allied Health

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together.

Job Description Summary

The Director, Inpatient Allied Health provides strategic and operational leadership for inpatient allied health services, including operational planning, performance improvement, business operations, financial management, workforce strategy, and project implementation across inpatient rehabilitation programs. The director is responsible for strategic planning, operational excellence, financial stewardship, data-driven decision making, quality improvement, workforce planning, and project execution. The director serves as an organizational leader and subject matter expert for inpatient allied health services, representing Shirley Ryan AbilityLab internally and externally through committees, professional organizations, academic partnerships, and interdisciplinary initiatives. The director, Inpatient Allied Health will partner with physician leadership, operational leadership, and interdisciplinary teams to develop, implement, and evaluate operational strategies that support exceptional patient care, quality outcomes, financial sustainability, research, education, and regulatory compliance. The director is accountable for meeting established standards for overall quality, patient care outcomes, financial performance, research, academic achievement, sound management practices and regulatory compliance.

Job Description

Principal Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership to inpatient allied health and laboratory leaders to ensure standardized clinical practices, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and exceptional patient outcomes. Lead integration of lab and innovation center operations to improve patient outcomes, patient and staff engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration and operational efficiency.

• Develop, administers and monitors departmental operating and capital budgets while ensuring achievement of financial, productivity, and operational performance goals.

• Recruits, develops, mentors, and retains high-performing leaders and staff while fostering employee engagement, accountability, succession planning, and professional development. Advances the organization's missions of clinical excellence, education, innovation, and research through partnerships with academic institutions, professional organizations, and interdisciplinary teams. Analyzes operational, financial, and market data to identify opportunities for growth, efficiency, and service expansion while developing strategic business plans.

• Establishes, implements, and monitors operational policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and organizational standards. Analyze other operating data, including patient experience, throughput, LOS, safety, quality indicators and workforce metrics. Assess patterns and trends. Recommend and implement appropriate action.

• Represents inpatient allied health services across organizational committees, interdisciplinary councils, and professional organizations while contributing to organizational strategy and clinical practice standards.

• Leads continuous quality improvement initiatives utilizing process improvement, evidence-based practice, and organizational quality methodologies.

• Establishes productivity, staffing, and workforce planning methodologies that optimize patient access, operational efficiency, and financial performance.

• Leads strategic initiatives supporting organizational growth, program development, technology implementation, and operational transformation.

• Oversees staffing models, productivity expectations, workforce utilization, and labor management in partnership with departmental leadership.

• Collaborates with executive leadership, physician leaders, nursing, support services, and interdisciplinary teams to achieve organizational strategic priorities.

• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation supporting quality care, reimbursement, regulatory requirements, and research initiatives.

• Develop long-range operational strategies aligned with organizational goals.

• Establishes key performance indicators and utilizes dashboards to monitor operational performance.

• Ensures ongoing readiness for CARF, Joint Commission, CMS, and other accreditation surveys.

• Develops workforce strategies that support recruitment, retention, succession planning, and employee engagement.

• Leads organizational change initiatives, process redesign, and implementation of new technologies.

• Champions initiatives that improve patient and family experience.

• Perform all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of SRAlab.

Reporting Relationship

Reports directly to a Vice President, Operations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Bachelor's degree in an allied health profession, healthcare administration, business administration, or related field required. Master's degree in healthcare administration, business administration, rehabilitation sciences, or related discipline preferred.

• Licensure or registration in the State of Illinois, if applicable for professional discipline.

• Five to seven years of progressively responsible leadership experience in inpatient rehabilitation or acute healthcare operations, including management of multiple departments and leaders.

• Quantitative and analytical ability to evaluate organizational and financial performance, to develop marketing strategy and forecast staffing needs.

• Interpersonal skills necessary to provide effective leadership and communicate effectively with patients, patient families, referring parties, managed care organizations and payors, center and other SRAlab system-wide staff.

• Demonstrated strategic leadership skills, including the ability to develop and execute operational plans, lead organizational change, and drive continuous performance improvement.

• Strong financial and analytical acumen with the ability to interpret operational and financial data, develop budgets, forecast staffing needs, and make data-driven decisions.

• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships, communicate effectively with executive leadership and interdisciplinary teams, and influence outcomes across the organization.

• Knowledge of regulatory and accreditation standards applicable to inpatient rehabilitation with the ability to ensure ongoing compliance and operational readiness.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Pay and Benefits*:

Pay Range:

$110,800.00 - $184,000.00

Benefits:

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations:

*Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law.

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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.