Director of Clinical Services - New Facility Opening 2026

Overview

Director of Clinical Services – Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health Hospital

Methodist Health System, the region’s most established not-for-profit provider, has partnered with Acadia Healthcare, the nation’s largest standalone behavioral health company, to open a new 96-bed inpatient behavioral health hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. This marks Acadia’s first acute psychiatric facility in Iowa, expanding much-needed access to behavioral health services across Southwest Iowa and the Greater Omaha area.  Just minutes from downtown Omaha, Council Bluffs blends small-town charm with city convenience—offering affordable living, great schools, and a strong sense of community—making it an ideal location for this important new facility.

Scheduled to open in early 2026, Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health Hospital will offer a full continuum of inpatient and outpatient care for adults, seniors, and youth, including programs for mood disorders, dual diagnosis, geriatric psychiatry, child & adolescent care, PHP/IOP, and ECT. The facility will play a vital role in addressing the region’s significant behavioral health bed shortage.

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Clinical Services to lead the launch and long-term development of clinical staff in this flagship hospital. This is a unique opportunity to build a behavioral health hospital from the ground up—partnering with Nebraska Methodist, a trusted regional health system with a 130+ year legacy of excellence.

What We Offer

The Director of Clinical Services will oversee the clinical programs at [Hospital Name], a leading behavioral health facility. This position ensures the delivery of high-quality patient care, program development, and regulatory compliance. The Director is responsible for providing clinical leadership, managing staff, and aligning services with the hospital’s mission to treat patients with mental health and substance use disorders.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Management:
• Provide strategic direction to clinical teams, including therapists, social workers, and other staff.
• Oversee day-to-day clinical operations to ensure efficiency and collaboration between departments.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and patient-centered care.
• Serve as a member of the facility leadership team and make independent clinical decisions to ensure quality care.
• Engage collaboratively with corporate leadership and ensure alignment with organizational goals
• Program Development & Implementation:
• Develop, implement, and evaluate evidenced-based clinical programs to meet community needs.
• Integrate evidence-based practices into treatment plans and ensure their alignment with hospital goals.
• Lead initiatives to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction while optimizing resource use.
• Quality & Compliance:
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and accrediting bodies like Joint Commission and CMS.
• Monitor clinical performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Oversee documentation and reporting to maintain accurate patient records.
• Ensure safety and infection control requirements are met.
• Staff Development & Supervision:
• Supervise, mentor, and support clinical staff, promoting professional growth and competency.
• Provide clinical supervision to clinical staff as needed, ensuring all clinical staff are trained on and consistently implement evidenced-based practices – including assessments, implementation of measurement-based care, and evidenced-based interventions
• Engage in regular fidelity monitoring of clinical programming and groups delivered by clinical staff to ensure alignment with evidenced-based practices and provide ongoing trainings when drift occurs
• Manage hiring, development, training, and performance management of staff to ensure effective operations.
• Conduct regular reviews of caseloads to optimize utilization of services.
• Provide training and oversight for staff, including CPR, de-escalation, and other required certifications.
• Collaboration & Communication:
• Work with hospital leadership to align clinical services with hospital-wide initiatives.
• Work with hospital leadership to ensure alignment with corporate leadership and in alignment with organizational initiatives and values.
• Serve as a liaison between clinical staff, administration, and external partners, fostering clear communication.
• Engage with community organizations and healthcare providers to enhance patient access to services.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Direct crisis intervention efforts and oversee case planning and care coordination.
• Maintain a limited caseload when necessary and provide onsite coverage for other programs.
• Develop operating policies and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and standards of care.
• Recognize patient safety as a top priority and work to resolve complaints if needs are unmet.
• Participate in on-call rotation schedule as determined and required by facility.
• Support business development, engage with local community groups, participate in education events, and collaborate with referral sources to build and maintain strong relationships.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Education: Master's degree in social work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field required.
• Licenses/Certifications: Current state licensure (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or equivalent) required. CPR and de-escalation certification required (training available upon hire).

Experience:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of clinical leadership experience in behavioral health.
• Proven track record of program development, staff supervision, and operational oversight.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS) and experience ensuring compliance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in an inpatient psychiatric or behavioral health hospital.
• Knowledge of performance improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education

   

​​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.​ 

We are committed to providing equal  employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.

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