National Director of Admissions and Intake

Job Description

Job Description

The National Director of Admissions and Intake provide strategic leadership and oversight of all intakes, admissions, and referral management functions across the organization. This role ensures timely, compliant, and client-centered access to services while optimizing workflows, improving conversion rates, and maintaining high-quality standards across all regions and programs.

The Director partners with clinical, operations, and external stakeholders to streamline access to care, enhance the client experience, and support organizational growth.

???? Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute a national intake and admissions strategy aligned with organizational goals
• Standardize intake processes across all sites and programs
• Establish KPIs (referral-to-admission rate, intake cycle time, no-show rates, etc.)
• Lead continuous quality improvement initiatives

2. Admissions & Intake Operations

• Oversee all referral, intake, eligibility, and admissions processes
• Ensure timely response to referrals and efficient client onboarding
• Manage capacity tracking and placement coordination
• Implement standardized workflows and documentation practices

3. Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with:
• State and federal regulations
• Licensing and accreditation standards
• HIPAA and confidentiality requirements
• Monitor audits and maintain documentation integrity
• Develop and enforce intake policies and procedures

4. Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise and support regional intake managers and teams
• Provide coaching, training, and performance management
• Build a high-performing, client-centered intake culture
• Develop staffing models to meet demand

5. Data & Performance Management

• Analyze intake and admissions data to:
• Identify trends and gaps
• Improve conversion rates
• Reduce wait times
• Create and present regular performance reports to leadership
• Utilize dashboards and reporting tools

6. Systems & Technology (EHR/CRM)

• Oversee intake-related systems (EHR, CRM, referral platforms)
• Partner with IT to optimize workflows and automation
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry and reporting

7. Stakeholder & Referral Partner Relations

• Build relationships with:
• Schools
• Regional centers
• Hospitals
• Community partners
• Ensure strong referral pipelines and communication
• Support outreach and growth initiatives

8. Client Experience

• Ensure a welcoming, efficient, and trauma-informed intake process
• Reduce barriers to access
• Address client and family concerns promptly

???? Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Referral-to-admission conversion rate
• Intake response time
• Admission cycle time
• Client satisfaction at intake
• Referral source growth
• Compliance audit results

Requirements

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, Social Work, Psychology, or related field
• 5–8+ years of experience in intake, admissions, or healthcare operations
• 3–5+ years in a leadership role
• Experience in behavioral health, IDD, or healthcare services
• Strong knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements

Preferred:

• Master’s degree (MBA, MHA, MSW, or related)
• Experience managing multi-site or national programs
• Familiarity with EHR systems (e.g., Credible, Epic, etc.)
• PMP, Lean, or Six Sigma experience

???? Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and execution
• Operational excellence
• Data-driven decision-making
• Leadership and team development
• Communication and stakeholder engagement
• Problem-solving and process improvement

Work Environment

• Hybrid with travel (20–40%)
• Fast-paced, mission-driven environment

❤️ Why This Role Matters

This role is critical in ensuring timely access to care , improving client outcomes , and supporting the organization’s growth and community impact .

Department: Operations / Clinical Services

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer (or VP of Operations)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• 401k
• Salary Range: $110,000 – $140,000.