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Medical Director Behavioral Health Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Tenet Health

Director - Behavioral Health

Modesto, CA · On-site

$75.61 - $120.99/hr

... the Behavioral Health Center Administrator, the Director of Patient Care Services is a Master ... At Doctors Medical Center of Modesto hospital, were seeking an innovative and experienced health ...

AlohaCare

Director, Behavioral Health

Honolulu, HI · On-site

AlohaCares comprehensive benefits package includes low-cost medical, dental, drug and vision ... The Opportunity: The Director, Behavioral Health CCS, is responsible for directing the case ...

Istss

$100 - $125/hr

The Director of Behavioral Health is a Registered Nurse who assumes 24 hour administrative responsibility for the management of all Behavioral Health Program functions. Supervises, assesses, plans ...

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Medical Director Behavioral Health information

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$13K

$232.4K

$357K

How much do medical director behavioral health jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for medical director behavioral health in the United States is $232,369.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $198,000.00 and $284,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a medical director behavioral health?

A Medical Director Behavioral Health is a physician who oversees the clinical operations and quality of care within behavioral health programs, such as mental health or substance abuse services. They develop and implement clinical policies, supervise staff, ensure compliance with regulations, and promote evidence-based practices. This role is crucial for maintaining high standards of patient care and coordinating between administrative and clinical teams. Medical Directors often work in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, or government agencies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a medical director behavioral health?

To thrive as a Medical Director Behavioral Health, you need a medical degree (MD or DO), board certification in psychiatry, and extensive experience in behavioral health care. Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems, regulatory compliance tools, and clinical guidelines is essential, and additional certifications such as addiction medicine or healthcare management can be valuable. Strong leadership, communication, and conflict resolution skills help foster collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and support organizational goals. These skills ensure high-quality patient care, effective program management, and compliance with industry standards in a complex healthcare environment.

What are the primary challenges medical directors in behavioral health face when leading multidisciplinary teams?

Medical Directors in Behavioral Health often manage teams of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and nurses, which requires balancing diverse clinical opinions and ensuring cohesive patient care. One common challenge is aligning all team members around evidence-based protocols while accommodating individual patient needs. Additionally, Medical Directors must stay updated with regulatory changes and promote effective communication across both clinical and administrative staff to maintain high standards of care. Successfully navigating these challenges is key to fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.

What is the difference between Medical Director Behavioral Health vs Psychiatrist?

AspectMedical Director Behavioral HealthPsychiatrist
CredentialsMedical degree, board certification in psychiatry, medical licenseMedical degree, board certification in psychiatry, medical license
Work EnvironmentLeadership role overseeing behavioral health programs, administrative dutiesClinical practice providing patient care, diagnosis, and treatment
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, mental health clinics, healthcare organizationsPrivate practices, hospitals, clinics, mental health facilities

The main difference is that a Medical Director Behavioral Health primarily oversees behavioral health services and manages clinical teams, while a Psychiatrist focuses on diagnosing and treating patients directly. Both roles require similar credentials, but their responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

What cities are hiring for Medical Director Behavioral Health jobs?

Cities with the most Medical Director Behavioral Health job openings:

What states have the most Medical Director Behavioral Health jobs?

States with the most job openings for Medical Director Behavioral Health jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Medical Director Behavioral Health jobs?

For Medical Director Behavioral Health jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Medical Director Behavioral Health job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $232,369 per year, or $111.7 per hour.

Medical Director - Behavioral Health

West Valley City, UT

Holy Cross Medical Group
See more jobs at Holy Cross Medical Groupexternal

$180 - $190/hr

Full-time

Medical, Life

Re-posted 22 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Provide clinical leadership to optimize behavioral health services and improve clinical outcomes.

  • Partner with multidisciplinary teams to develop strategic initiatives, enhance patient access, and support program growth.

  • Champion evidence-based practices, foster collaboration, and lead initiatives to expand access to high-quality behavioral healthcare.

Job description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Medical Director of Behavioral Health, you will join a team dedicated to truly optimizing healthcare for the communities we serve throughout Utah. This position will provide visionary clinical leadership while advancing exceptional behavioral health services and contributing to the highest quality and most cost-effective healthcare within our integrated delivery system. You will support organizational goals through clinical excellence, physician engagement, quality improvement, exceptional patient experience, and strategic behavioral health program development. Through your leadership, you will help advance a sustainable, growing, and distinctive organization dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities across Utah.

Every day you will provide clinical leadership while partnering with psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care providers, advanced practice providers, therapists, social workers, nursing leadership, and executive teams to strengthen integrated behavioral health services across the continuum of care. You will help develop strategic initiatives, improve quality and operational performance, enhance patient access, and support physician recruitment and program growth. You will champion evidence-based practices, foster multidisciplinary collaboration, and lead initiatives that expand access to high-quality behavioral healthcare while improving clinical outcomes and patient experience throughout the Utah market.

To be successful in this role, you will be a skilled, board-certified, and compassionate physician with leadership experience in behavioral health and a passion for advancing clinical excellence.

  • You will possess expertise in behavioral health program development, integrated care models, quality improvement, and physician engagement, along with strong communication abilities, exceptional leadership skills, and the ability to build collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
  • You will also demonstrate a deep commitment to patient-centered care, quality outcomes, provider engagement, and continuous improvement. Important to this role is embracing the Mission and values of this Christian organization, contributing to a team-centered culture that prioritizes collaboration and service, and fostering an environment of transparency, accountability, innovation, and excellence.
  • You will thrive in a collegial and supportive environment while leading the continued growth and success of behavioral health services throughout Utah and making a lasting impact on the health of the communities we serve.

We are offering a competitive base, a generous CME allowance, and recruiting incentives, which include a sign-on bonus, student loan assistance, and relocation assistance for new hires who meet the eligibility requirements.


Job Requirements

Required:

  • Must have successfully completed a residency or fellowship commensurate with area of specialty.
  • Obtain and maintain an unrestricted Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”) registration;
  • Be board certified or eligible in the appropriate specialty, by a board acceptable to Hospital;
  • Obtain Medical Staff Privileges within the Health system, at sponsoring institution
  • Doctorate MD or DO required
  • Active or eligible unrestricted license to practice medicine in Utah

Where You'll Work

With many locations across Utah, Holy Cross Medical Group offers providers a true opportunity to live their mission while experiencing the support of a built-in network, generous benefits, professional growth, and an amazing quality of life. Through state-of-the-art technology, clinical resources and medical expertise, we connect providers and consumers to facilitate a healthier life for people in our community. Our coordinated services represent a full continuum of care from preventive and early diagnoses to leading-edge treatment and life-saving critical care. We are committed to delivering better health care with a patient-centered approach that fulfills our mission and commitment to quality, compassion, and service.


Pay Range
$180 - $190 /hour

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