Overview

Geisinger Behavioral Health Centers are acute inpatient psychiatric hospitals in Pennsylvania providing 24/7 treatment for adolescents and adults experiencing serious mental health conditions. The hospitals offer evidence-based, trauma-informed care for diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis, PTSD, and co-occurring substance use disorders, delivered by multidisciplinary clinical teams in a structured, therapeutic environment.

 

The Director of Admissions is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of the admissions and intake process, ensuring timely, ethical, and patient-centered access to care. This position partners closely with clinical leadership, referral sources, and community stakeholders to support census management, regulatory compliance, and a compassionate admissions experience that reflects the hospital’s commitment to high-quality behavioral health care.

 

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

Direct the facility admissions activities by driving the admissions process, developing, implementing, and maintaining revenue-generating strategies.

 

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide leadership to the Admissions Department and cultivate the function of the department as an integrated team.
• Implement the strategic plan of the business development and marketing department as it pertains to admission to the facility and direct potential clients to treatment.
• Provide leadership in addressing quality management issues related to crisis triage, evaluation, intake, and admission to the facility.
• Assign/distribute scheduled evaluations, intakes, or admissions as dictated by request and hospital census.
• Conduct quality assurance and quality improvement programs for all crisis triage, evaluation, intake, and admission services.
• Perform follow-up communication functions and generate recommendations for organization leadership.
• Develop and implement program policies and procedures that guide the provision of services.
• Responsible for the hiring decisions for Admissions Department personnel, providing orientation, in-service, and continuing education programs for department staff and other internal positions responsible for crisis triage and/or evaluation services.
• Serve as a clinical liaison with referral sources.
• Work to improve efficiency and quality in delivering services within the department, responsible for developing and meeting departmental goals and objectives.
• Ensure that the department is up to date on and compliant with new laws and regulations.
• Recruit, train, and supervise staff.
• Manage the finances of the department, and prepare and monitor budgets and spending to ensure the department operates within allocated funds.
• Determine and implement admissions best practices, promote the hospital, and maintain a satisfied patient base.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s Degree in Human Services Field or RN nursing license required.
• Three plus years’ experience in healthcare-related admissions preferred.
• Three years of work experience as a Director of Admissions in a Behavioral health facility preferred.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• May require licensure by the state for this position.
• CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
• First aid may be required based on state or facility.

ADDITIONAL REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:

                                                                                                                                                      

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.