Registered Nurse (RN) - Director Behavioral Health
UCHealth (Colorado)
Longmont, CO

Description The OpportunityThe Director, Behavioral Health Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for behavioral health nursing services. Reporting to executive leadership, this role is responsible for advancing a comprehensive behavioral health service line that supports inpatient, and interventional programs while ensuring exceptional patient outcomes, high-quality care delivery, operational excellence, and sustainable growth. The Director partners with executive, physician, nursing, therapy, and operational leaders to drive service line strategy, standardization, workforce development, quality improvement, operational performance, and access initiatives across multiple hospitals and care settings. This role serves as a key leader in expanding behavioral health services across the continuum of care, improving patient access and capacity, strengthening community partnerships, advancing evidence-based practices, and ensuring behavioral health services remain aligned with the organization's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term growth objectives. Through strong matrix leadership and collaboration, the Senior Director fosters a consistent, integrated approach to behavioral health care delivery throughout the system. UCHlth Longs Peak Hospital, US:CO:Longmont, LPH AdminReports to: President of Longs Peak and Broomfield Hospitals/Executive Leader of Behavioral HealthDepartment: Behavioral Health ServicesPay: $69.65 - $111.44 / hour. Pay is dependent on applicant's relevant experienceThis position is an onsite role and does not offer a hybrid or remote optionSummaryThis position directs regional and system-wide standardization for behavioral health nursing operations and resources across inpatient, and interventional services to ensure alignment with the mission, values, strategic priorities, and growth objectives of the organization. The Director is accountable for operational performance, quality and patient safety outcomes, patient access, workforce development, regulatory compliance, fiscal stewardship, and service line growth across multiple hospitals, and care settings. The role establishes operational standards, clinical workflows, performance expectations, and system-wide standardized best practices that promote consistency, quality, and operational excellence across behavioral health nursing services. Working through a highly matrixed environment with significant dotted-line leadership responsibilities, the Senior Director develops strong partnerships with physician, nursing, therapy, and operational leaders to drive accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout the behavioral health continuum. Key Responsibilities The Director of Behavioral Health Nursing plays a key role in the health system's strategic and operational efforts by:Provide leadership and operational oversight for behavioral health services across inpatient, and interventional care settings. Establish strategic priorities, service line objectives, operational plans, and performance expectations aligned with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, quality outcomes, patient safety initiatives, and long-term growth strategies. Lead behavioral health operations across multiple hospitals and care settings through both direct and dotted-line leadership relationships, fostering collaboration and accountability across the organization. Develop and execute service line growth strategies that expand behavioral health services, increase access to care, and support organizational priorities while addressing evolving community and patient needs. Lead initiatives focused on improving patient access, throughput, capacity management, care transitions, and operational efficiency across the behavioral health continuum. Partners with executives, physicians, nursing, therapy, and operational leaders to evaluate, implement, and optimize programs, services, models of care, and evidence-based practices that improve outcomes and patient experience. Collaborate with nursing and therapy leadership to advance workforce development, clinical education, competency management, succession planning, and leadership development across behavioral health services. Drive operational excellence through standardization, workflow redesign, care delivery transformation, performance improvement initiatives, and adoption of best practices across the health system. Establish and monitor quality, safety, regulatory, accreditation, operational, workforce, and financial metrics to drive accountability and continuous improvement. Oversee and develop operational dashboards, key performance indicators, workforce planning, budgets, productivity, and resource utilization to support achievement of clinical, operational, and fiscal goals. Foster strategic partnerships with community organizations, behavioral health providers, government agencies, educational institutions, referral partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen behavioral health networks and improve access to care. Partners with organizational leaders to advance integration of behavioral health services across acute care, ambulatory services, specialty practices, and community-based settings. Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards while maintaining organizational readiness for surveys, audits, and inspections. Serve as a behavioral health subject matter expert and strategic advisor, providing guidance on industry trends, emerging care models, regulatory developments, operational opportunities, and service line growth initiatives. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, inclusion, and continuous learning while supporting employee engagement and organizational culture goals. Candidate QualificationsThe successful candidate is an accomplished healthcare executive with demonstrated expertise in behavioral health operations, service line leadership, healthcare transformation, and strategic growth within a complex health system environment. This individual possesses a deep understanding of behavioral health care delivery across the continuum of care and has proven success leading multidisciplinary teams, driving operational performance, improving patient outcomes, and executing large-scale organizational initiatives. The ideal candidate combines operational excellence, financial acumen, relationship-building skills, and strategic thinking with a strong commitment to expanding access, advancing quality, and improving the behavioral health experience for patients, families, providers, and communities. Experience leading behavioral health growth initiatives, developing community partnerships, and influencing through matrixed leadership structures is highly desirable. Minimum QualificationsMaster's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a health-related field. State licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). Relevant certification as determined at position level.7 years of progressive leadership experience in healthcare operations5 years of leadership experience in behavioral health services. Preferred QualificationsDemonstrated expertise in behavioral health operations and service line leadership across inpatient, outpatient, and interventional care settings.Extensive knowledge of behavioral health regulatory, accreditation, and compliance requirements.Experience leading large-scale behavioral health optimization, growth, standardization, operational transformation, and performance improvement initiatives.Advanced understanding of quality improvement methodologies, patient safety principles, outcomes management, and behavioral health performance measurement. Proven success leading multidisciplinary teams through both direct and dotted-line reporting relationships. Demonstrated financial acumen including budgeting, business planning, productivity management, resource allocation, and fiscal performance oversight. Experience developing community partnerships, referral networks, and collaborative relationships that improve behavioral health access and continuity of care. Experience supporting population health initiatives and integration of behavioral health across the continuum of care. Experience working within a large, integrated healthcare system preferred. Preferred CertificationsOne or more of the following certifications is preferred:Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC)Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) • Nurse Executive Advanced Certification (NEA-BC)Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)Other behavioral health, healthcare leadership, or operational excellence certifications Skills and TraitsBehavioral health operationsService line strategy and growthTeam development and coachingStakeholder engagementAccess and capacity managementQuality and patient safety Regulatory compliance and accreditation Workforce planning and development Performance improvement Financial stewardship and budgeting Data analytics and operational metrics Executive relationship management Matrix leadership and influence Change leadership and prioritization Clear communication and accountability Cross-functional collaboration Strategic thinking and execution Culture development and engagement At UCHealth, We Improve Lives Employees are our number one asset.UCHealth promotes a culture that invests in professional success and personal well-being through a comprehensive total rewards program. *RecognitionPerformance bonus: UCHealth offers an Annual Performance Bonus to recognize employee contributions to our success in quality, patient experience, organizational growth, and financial goals.Performance-based pay increase: The Annual Merit Pay Increase recognizes work performance that meets or consistently exceeds performance standards documented through UCHealth's established evaluation process and accounts for increased experience, skills and cost of living. Market reviews: All UCHealth positions are reviewed annually to ensure UCHealth base pay aligns with market standards. Base pay rates are adjusted as needed to stay market competitive.Health and well-beingMedical, dental and vision coverage.Access to 24/7 mental health and well-being support for employees and dependents.Discounted gym memberships and fitness resources.Free Care.com membership.Voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal plan, identity theft protection, pet insurance, auto and home insurance, and employee discount programs.Time away from work: Paid time off (PTO), paid family and medical leave (inclusive of Colorado FAMLI), leaves of absence.Employer-provided basic life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage with buy-up coverage options.Employer-provided short-term disability and long-term disability.Retirement and savings403(b) plan with employer matching contribution.Additional 457(b) plan may be available.Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent day care; health savings account available when enrolled in high-deductible (HD) medical plan.Education and career growthUCHealth provides access to academic degrees and certificate programs to promote professional and personal growth.Up to 100% of tuition, books and fees paid for by UCHealth for specific educational degrees. Other programs may qualify for up to $10,000/year pre-paid by UCHealth or up to $5,250/year in the form of tuition reimbursement. Access to LinkedIn Learning, which offers thousands of virtual courses and seminars, and internal professional development opportunities. Employees have access to free assistance navigating the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and submitting their federal student loans for forgiveness.*Eligibility for some programs is based on an employee's scheduled work hours. We improve lives. In big ways through learning, healing, and discovery. In small, personal ways through human connecti