MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school.
Board Certification in Psychiatry.
Active medical license (or ability to obtain licensure in multiple states).
Minimum 5 years of clinical psychiatric experience.
Minimum 5 years of physician leadership experience in acute behavioral health.
Experience leading psychiatrists and advanced practice providers across multiple facilities.
Strong knowledge of Joint Commission, CMS, and behavioral health regulations.
Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
Responsibilities
Provide executive oversight for psychiatric and behavioral health services across multiple acute care facilities.
Establish and maintain evidence-based clinical standards, treatment protocols, and best practices.
Ensure exceptional quality of care, patient safety, and positive clinical outcomes.
Lead physician peer review, quality improvement initiatives, and performance evaluations.
Recruit, mentor, and retain psychiatrists and related providers.
Assist with development of new behavioral health programs.
Partner closely with operations leadership to improve clinical efficiency.
Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance paid for by company.
Benefits effective on first day of employment.
401(k) with company match.
Paid time off and CME allowance.
Professional liability insurance.
Licensure and DEA reimbursement.
Leadership development opportunities.
Opportunity to shape and lead a rapidly expanding behavioral health division.
Full Job Description
Description
Position Summary
The Division Chief Medical Officer serves as the senior physician leader for the Acute Behavioral Health Division. The CMO is responsible for establishing clinical strategy, overseeing physician performance, ensuring regulatory compliance, improving quality metrics, and supporting the successful launch and management of behavioral health programs across multiple states.
This executive partners with hospital CEOs, operational leaders, nursing leadership, and behavioral health providers to ensure consistent delivery of exceptional patient care while driving organizational growth and clinical innovation.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership
Provide executive oversight for psychiatric and behavioral health services across multiple acute care facilities.
Establish and maintain evidence-based clinical standards, treatment protocols, and best practices.
Ensure exceptional quality of care, patient safety, and positive clinical outcomes.
Lead physician peer review, quality improvement initiatives, and performance evaluations.
Support difficult clinical cases and serve as a physician resource for medical staff.
Medical Staff Leadership
Recruit, mentor, and retain psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and behavioral health physicians.
Foster a collaborative, high-performing provider culture.
Conduct regular physician meetings and educational initiatives.
Assist with onboarding, credentialing support, and provider development.
Quality & Compliance
Ensure compliance with:
Joint Commission standards
CMS Conditions of Participation
State licensing requirements
DEA regulations
HIPAA
Accreditation standards
Lead preparation for surveys and regulatory inspections.
Strategic Growth
Assist with development of new behavioral health programs including:
Inpatient psychiatry
Crisis stabilization
Medical detoxification
Consultation-liaison psychiatry
Emergency psychiatry
Intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs
Participate in business development meetings with company executives and health system leadership.
Evaluate new partnership opportunities and clinical service expansions.
Operational Collaboration
Partner closely with operations leadership to improve:
Patient throughput
Emergency department psychiatric consult workflows
Transfer processes
Bed utilization
Staffing models
Clinical efficiency
Support medical directors throughout the division.
Administrative Leadership
Participate as a member of the executive leadership team.
Develop policies, procedures, and clinical practice guidelines.
Review adverse events and lead root cause analyses.
Support budgeting and physician workforce planning.
Present clinical updates to executive leadership and governing boards.
Qualifications
MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school.
Board Certification in Psychiatry.
Active medical license (or ability to obtain licensure in multiple states).
Minimum 5 years of clinical psychiatric experience.
Minimum 5 years of physician leadership experience in acute behavioral health.
Experience leading psychiatrists and advanced practice providers across multiple facilities.
Strong knowledge of Joint Commission, CMS, and behavioral health regulations.
Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
Preferred
Experience with multi-state healthcare organizations.
Experience in emergency psychiatry or crisis services.
Experience opening or expanding behavioral health service lines.
MBA, MHA, or equivalent leadership training.
Travel
Travel required to facilities throughout the division.
Approximately 40% travel depending on organizational needs.
Compensation & Benefits
We offer a highly competitive executive compensation package including:
Competitive base salary
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance paid for by company
Benefits effective on first day of employment
401(k) with company match
Paid time off and CME allowance
Professional liability insurance
Licensure and DEA reimbursement
Leadership development opportunities
Opportunity to shape and lead a rapidly expanding behavioral health division
