Summary

The Director of Intake Services (RN) is responsible for the overall oversight, leadership, and direction of the Intake Department, inclusive of Referral Management and Admissions services. This role provides clinical supervision to clinicians and nurses involved in managing referrals for Hospital services, completion of behavioral health assessments, determining the appropriate level of care, delivering crisis interventions, and coordinating the admission process. The Director of Intake Services works closely with medical staff, nursing staff, department leaders, hospital administration, external referral sources, and payers to ensure efficient, high-quality, and compliant intake operations. This position also oversees departmental budgeting, policy and procedure development, regulatory compliance, service excellence initiatives, and data management and analysis. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director contributes to the development and execution of processes that support the hospital's strategic goals.

Job description

Position Summary

The Director of Intake Services (RN) is responsible for the overall oversight, leadership, and direction of the Intake Department, inclusive of Referral Management and Admissions services. This role provides clinical supervision to clinicians and nurses involved in managing referrals for Hospital services, completion of behavioral health assessments, determining the appropriate level of care, delivering crisis interventions, and coordinating the admission process. The Director of Intake Services works closely with medical staff, nursing staff, department leaders, hospital administration, external referral sources, and payers to ensure efficient, high-quality, and compliant intake operations. This position also oversees departmental budgeting, policy and procedure development, regulatory compliance, service excellence initiatives, and data management and analysis. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director contributes to the development and execution of processes that support the hospital's strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

Provide leadership and oversight for the Intake Department, inclusive of Referral Management and Admissions services.
Supervise and support clinicians and nurses responsible for intake, referral review, behavioral health assessment, crisis intervention, and admissions coordination.
Ensure timely assessment of patients to determine clinical needs and appropriate level of care.
Partner with medical staff, nursing leadership, department heads, administration, referral agencies, and payers to support effective patient flow and placement.
Oversee departmental budgeting, operational planning, and resource management.
Develop, implement, and maintain departmental policies and procedures.
Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, accreditation, and organizational standards.
Promote service excellence and continuous quality improvement across intake operations.
Collect, monitor, and analyze departmental data to support performance improvement and operational decision-making.
Participate in senior leadership discussions and contribute to hospital-wide strategic planning and process improvement efforts.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and patient-centered department culture.
Support effective communication and coordination with patients' support systems to promote treatment engagement.

Key Competencies

Strong leadership and supervisory skills
Effective verbal and written communication
Clinical judgment in behavioral health and crisis situations
Knowledge of behavioral health and addiction disorders
Understanding of patient assessment and level-of-care determination
Budget management and operational oversight
Regulatory and compliance knowledge
Data analysis and reporting skills
Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and external stakeholders
Ability to lead in a dynamic, fast-paced hospital environment
Commitment to service excellence and quality improvement

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Tennessee licensure as a Registered Nurse
Minimum of 3 years of direct clinical experience in a psychiatric or mental health setting
Working knowledge of behavioral health disorders and addiction disorders
Experience in patient assessment and engagement of patients and their support systems in treatment planning
Ability to work effectively with a diverse patient population
Minimum of 2 years of leadership experience in a behavioral health setting or other hospital system
Strong management and communication skills
Master's degree in Nursing or related field (preferred)
Additional leadership experience in behavioral health or hospital operations (preferred)
Experience overseeing admissions, referral management, or intake services in a hospital setting (preferred)

Company overview

Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) is one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, operating as a Fortune 300 corporation headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1979, UHS has grown into a major healthcare enterprise with approximately 99,000 employees and annual revenues exceeding $14 billion. The company operates through its subsidiaries, managing 29 acute care hospitals, 331 behavioral health facilities, and 60 outpatient and other facilities across 39 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom. UHS provides comprehensive healthcare services including acute care, behavioral health treatment, cancer centers, and ambulatory surgical centers. The company's strategy focuses on building or acquiring high-quality hospitals in rapidly growing markets and investing in advanced medical equipment and skilled personnel to become the leading healthcare provider in each community it serves. UHS is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: UHS) and has established a strong reputation for delivering compassionate, high-quality care while maintaining financial stability and operational excellence.