Job Summary: The Director of Rehabilitation Services provides strategic, administrative, and operational leadership for rehabilitation and audiology services across all designated service lines. The Director is responsible for the effective delivery of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, and Audiology services, with oversight of personnel management, operational performance, financial performance, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and program development.
The Director oversees clinical and non-clinical operations, promotes high-quality, patient-centered care, and ensures the effective utilization of personnel and other resources. Working collaboratively with the Chair of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and hospital and Network leadership, the Director develops and implements strategic initiatives to improve access to care, operational efficiency, patient outcomes, patient experience, and financial performance. Responsibilities include oversight of the delivery of physical, occupational, speech and audiology services throughout the WMC acute inpatient care services, Maria Farari Children's Hospital, the acute inpatient rehabilitation unit, and outpatient therapy services. Responsibilities also include oversight of inpatient rehabilitation admissions and census management, revenue cycle performance, workforce development, budgetary and capital equipment submissions, and business development initiatives. The Director also collaborates with leadership across the Network to promote standardization, best practices, and the continued growth of services.
Responsibilities:Leadership and Operations- Directs the daily administrative and operational activities of rehabilitation services, including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, and Audiology.
- Provides leadership and direction to managers, supervisors, and other designated personnel, establishing clear performance expectations, accountability, and operational priorities.
- Collaborates with clinical leadership to coordinate services, improve patient access, enhance care delivery, and support continuity of care.
- Works with clinical leadership and hospital administration through the budgetary process to ensure that rehabilitation services has all the therapeutic, diagnostic, assistive, and adaptive equipment needed to optimize patient care and clinical outcomes.
- Oversees the Network's clinical admission liaisons supporting the inpatient rehabilitation units to optimize referrals, admissions, and census performance.
Workforce Management and Development- Oversees recruitment, retention, onboarding, staffing plans, professional development, and performance management for rehabilitation personnel.
- Ensures that clinical personnel maintain appropriate licensure, registration, credentials, competencies, and training in accordance with applicable regulatory and organizational requirements.
Financial and Revenue Cycle Management- Oversees financial and operational performance including budgeting, productivity, resource utilization, charge capture, and revenue cycle performance.
- Identifies opportunities to improve financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and appropriate reimbursement across assigned programs.
- Submits budgetary capital requests in collaboration with rehabilitation services clinical leadership.
Quality, Compliance, and Regulatory Oversight- Oversees quality assurance and performance improvement activities across rehabilitation and audiology services, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, professional practice requirements, accreditation standards, and Hospital policies.
- Develops and implements policies, procedures, documentation standards, and performance improvement initiatives appropriate to the clinical and operational requirements of rehabilitation services.
Strategic Planning, Business Development, and Outreach- Collaborates with senior leadership and clinical program leaders to develop strategic plans, business cases, and growth initiatives for rehabilitation and audiology services.
- Identifies opportunities to expand rehabilitation and audiology services, improve access, strengthen referral networks, and respond to evolving patient and community needs.
Network Collaboration and Customer Service- Collaborates with rehabilitation leaders across the Network to align operational standards, policies, performance measures, best practice and strategic initiatives.
- Promotes consistent, high-quality, patient-centered service delivery across rehabilitation and audiology programs.
Qualifications/Requirements:Experience: - Minimum of seven years of progressive clinical experience in a hospital or healthcare setting, including at least three years of supervisory or management experience, required
- Experience overseeing rehabilitation or other multidisciplinary clinical services, managing departmental operations, and supporting quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and staff development, preferred.
Education: - Master's degree in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy or Speech-Language Pathology or its equivalent as determined by the New York State Education Department, from an accredited institution, required.
- Doctoral degree in a clinical discipline or a Master's Degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or a related field, preferred.
Licenses/ Certifications: - Current, valid New York State license and registration in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech-Language Pathology, as applicable to the candidate's professional discipline, required
Other:- Thorough knowledge of hospital operations, rehabilitation services, and multidisciplinary clinical program administration.
- Knowledge of applicable federal and New York State regulations, accreditation standards, and professional practice requirements governing rehabilitation services.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage multiple programs, and coordinate clinical and administrative operations across multiple sites.
- Knowledge of healthcare financial management, budgeting, productivity, revenue cycle operations, and performance improvement.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships with physicians, clinical and administrative leaders, staff, patients, and external stakeholders.
Physical Requirements:- Physical Activity (please check one box):
☒ Sedentary Work (involves sitting most of the time, occasionally walking and standing; requires lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and/or occasionally lifting or carrying objects)
