Senior Director Clinical Operations Jobs in Decatur, IL

Job Title: Senior Director of Medical & Nursing Services

Reports to: President and CEO

 Location: Heritage Behavioral Health Center, Decatur, IL

Schedule: Monday–Friday with core hours of 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. This is a senior leadership position and carries the expectation of availability and responsiveness outside of standard hours as needed to support staff, clinical operations, and organizational priorities.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Type: Full-Time

Work Setting: In-Person

Position Overview:

Heritage Behavioral Health Center (HBHC) is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) providing comprehensive, integrated behavioral health and primary care services to individuals and families across central Illinois. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Nurse Practitioner (NP) to serve as our Senior Director of Medical & Nursing Services and provide senior operational leadership across the full scope of our medical and nursing services.

Heritage's medical services have grown well beyond nursing and now encompass psychiatric providers, primary care providers, nursing leadership, patient safety, infection prevention, regulatory readiness, and coordination across our medical and nursing teams. The Senior Director serves as the senior operational leader for these services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care that aligns with CCBHC standards, regulatory requirements, and Heritage's mission. This role reports directly to the President and CEO, sits just below the executive level, and holds a standing seat at the weekly Executive Team meeting, bringing forward medical and nursing items so the Executive Team has consistent visibility into this side of the organization.

This is primarily a leadership role, with approximately 85% of time dedicated to administrative and operational responsibilities and 15% dedicated to direct patient care, allowing the Senior Director to maintain an active NP practice, contribute revenue to the organization, and stay connected to the patient care experience while leadership remains the primary responsibility. We welcome applications from both Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) and Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (PCNP) who bring demonstrated leadership experience and a commitment to advancing integrated care within a behavioral health setting.

Organizational Structure & Reporting

• Reports directly to the President and CEO, positioned just below the executive level, with a standing seat at the weekly Executive Team meeting
• Provides direct leadership to the Director of Nursing, who retains responsibility for day-to-day nursing operations, staffing, competencies, scheduling, and the nursing managers
• Partners closely with Heritage's Medical Directors, who report directly to the President and CEO, serving as the senior operational leader for medical and nursing services
• Coordinates across psychiatric providers, primary care providers, and nursing teams to strengthen provider-nursing collaboration and integrated care delivery

Leadership & Team Expectations:

• Champion a culture of compassionate, patient-centered care grounded in trauma-informed and recovery-oriented principles
• Lead medical and nursing services teams with integrity, transparency, and accountability across all levels of the organization
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive work environment that supports staff development and retention
• Maintain a visible, approachable leadership presence across clinical programs and sites
• Model and reinforce professional standards, ethical practice, and continuous improvement

Core Responsibilities Include:

Medical & Nursing Services Leadership

• Provide senior operational leadership across medical and nursing services, including psychiatric providers, primary care providers, nursing leadership, patient safety, infection prevention, and regulatory readiness
• Oversee the Director of Nursing and support strong, consistent nursing operations across Heritage programs and service sites, ensuring compliance with CCBHC standards and applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Partner with the Medical Directors as the senior operational leader for medical and nursing services, strengthening coordination between providers and nursing teams
• Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, and clinical protocols to maintain high standards of care and regulatory compliance
• Serve as the organizational expert on clinical practice standards, scope of practice, and care delivery across behavioral health, primary care, and community-based settings
• Maintain an active, revenue-generating NP practice (approximately 15% of time), staying connected to direct patient care while leadership remains the primary responsibility

Strategy, Quality & Compliance

• Collaborate with executive leadership and interdisciplinary teams to integrate medical and nursing services with organizational strategic goals and clinical operations
• Monitor patient care outcomes and quality metrics, utilizing data to drive continuous improvement in clinical practice, patient safety, and care delivery
• Lead and participate in quality improvement initiatives, accreditation processes, and regulatory reviews relevant to medical and nursing services
• Ensure organizational readiness for surveys, audits, and compliance reviews by maintaining up-to-date policies, documentation, and staff training

Workforce Development & Staff Support

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluation, and professional development across medical and nursing services to foster a skilled, engaged, and motivated workforce
• Identify training needs and develop or coordinate educational programming to support clinical competency and staff growth
• Support clinical leaders across programs and sites, serving as a resource and escalation point for clinical and operational issues
• Promote and support the well-being, resilience, and professional satisfaction of medical and nursing staff at all levels

Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Communication

• Ensure effective communication and coordination between providers, nursing staff, clinical departments, and organizational leadership to optimize patient care delivery
• Attend the weekly Executive Team meeting as a standing participant, bringing forward medical and nursing items and contributing to organizational planning and decision-making from a clinical perspective
• Collaborate with IT, compliance, and program leadership on initiatives impacting clinical workflows, including electronic health record (EHR) systems and eMAR implementation
• Serve as a key advocate for clinical staff and patients, representing the voice of medical and nursing services in organizational priorities and resource planning

Resource & Financial Management

• Participate in budget planning and resource allocation to support medical and nursing services, staffing needs, and operational efficiency
• Evaluate and manage clinically related vendor relationships, supply chains, and equipment needs in partnership with operations leadership
• Utilize data and outcomes to make informed recommendations for resource investment and program development

Performance Expectations / What Success Looks Like:

The Senior Director of Medical & Nursing Services will be successful in this role when:

• Medical and nursing staff across all programs feel supported, well-prepared, and equipped to deliver high-quality care
• Clinical policies, protocols, and practices are current, compliant, and consistently implemented across the organization
• Quality metrics and patient outcomes reflect continuous improvement and alignment with CCBHC standards
• Executive leadership, Medical Directors, and interdisciplinary teams view the Senior Director as a trusted, collaborative partner in advancing Heritage's mission
• Coordination between providers and nursing teams is strong, consistent, and centered on patient care
• Workforce development efforts result in a skilled, engaged, and stable clinical team across all sites

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Deep knowledge of behavioral health clinical practice, CCBHC standards, and applicable regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and guide diverse clinical teams
• Analytical skills to interpret quality metrics, patient outcomes, and operational data to drive improvement
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills across multidisciplinary teams, physicians, and executive leadership
• Strategic thinking and resource management skills to support operational efficiency and program advancement
• Proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) systems and clinical data tools
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead effectively in a complex, fast-paced behavioral health environment

Education and Experience:

• Active, unrestricted Nurse Practitioner license in the State of Illinois required; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PCNP) certification required
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) required; Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive clinical experience, including demonstrated leadership or management experience; experience in behavioral health, community health, or similarly complex clinical environments preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral health clinical practices and regulatory compliance
• Experience with quality improvement processes, patient safety standards, and clinical outcomes management
• Experience in budget management and strategic planning within healthcare organizations preferred
• Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems and data analytics tools relevant to clinical operations preferred

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Ability to sit, stand, and work at a computer for extended periods
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of current auto insurance required
• Travel required across Heritage program sites and community locations as needed
• Ability to respond calmly and effectively in crisis or emergency situations
• Ability to maintain current CPR Certification

Compensation & Benefits:

Salary Range: $170,000 – $200,000.

Sign-On Bonus: This position is eligible for a $10,000 sign-on bonus with a 2-year service commitment, paid out in increments within the first year of employment.

Heritage offers the following with this position:

• Generous Time Off: Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
• Wellness Benefits: Every other Friday off (paid), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and fitness reimbursement
• Insurance: Health, dental, vision, flex spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care), and additional life insurance
• Retirement: 401(k) and Roth options
• Professional Growth: Tuition assistance and continuing education opportunities