Director, Behavioral Health

About the job

Director of Behavioral Health

Full-time

Your experience matters

Highpoint Health Winchester with Ascension Saint Thomas is part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network with facilities coast to coast. We are driven by a profound commitment to prioritize your well-being so you can provide exceptional care to others. As a Director of Behavioral Health joining our team, you’re embracing a vital mission dedicated to making communities healthier ®. Join us on this meaningful journey where your skills, compassion and dedication will make a remarkable difference in the lives of those we serve.

How you’ll contribute

Directors who are Registered Nurses will also serve as the Director of Psychiatric Nursing for the unit. Directors who are Licensed Mastered Social Workers will also serve as the Director of Social/Clinical Services on the unit.

A Director of Behavioral Health who excels in this role:

• Directs the department's activities and resources to achieve departmental and organizational objectives.

• Develops and implements departmental goals, plans, and standards consistent with the clinical, administrative, legal, and ethical requirements/objectives of the organization.

• Directs and evaluates departmental operations, including patient care delivery, information technologies, service level determination, and complaint management, to achieve performance and quality control objectives.

• Plans and monitors staffing activities, including hiring, orienting, evaluating, disciplinary actions, and continuing education initiatives.

• Prepares, monitors, and evaluates departmental budgets, and ensures that the department operates in compliance with allocated funding.

• Coordinates and directs internal/external audits.

• Creates and fosters an environment that encourages professional growth.

• Integrates evidence-based practices into operations and clinical protocols.

• Regular and reliable attendance.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Information:

• Serves both internal co-workers and external customers, clients, patients, contractors, and vendors.

• Serves as a liaison between critical stakeholders including facility leadership, the division management team, and staff on the behavioral health unit. As a liaison, will enable the division management team to attend and support external functions by coordinating and communicating between all the stakeholders.

• Access to and/or works with sensitive and/or confidential information.

• Exhibit a comprehensive understanding of healthcare regulatory and compliance (e.g., HIPAA).

• Skilled in the application of policies and procedures.

• Knowledge of Business Office Standards and Recommended Practices.

Why join us

We believe that investing in our employees is the first step to providing excellent patient care. In addition to your base compensation, this position also offers:

• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple levels of medical, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time employees.

• Financial Protection & PTO: Life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid family leave and paid time off.

• Financial & Career Growth: Higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance and 401(k) retirement package and company match.

• Employee Well-being: Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services and discount programs).

• Professional Development: Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.

What we’re looking for

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Social Work required. Master's degree in nursing preferred.

• Qualified by education and experience in the care of behavioral health patients.

License/Certifications:

• BLS

• Licensure in State of Practice

• Licensed Master’s level clinician required

• Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling preferred

Experience:

• 3 years of leadership experience preferred

• 3 years of experience in caring for behavioral health patients preferred.

More about Highpoint Health Winchester with Ascension Saint Thomas

Highpoint Health – Winchester with Ascension Saint Thomas and Highpoint Health – Sewanee with Ascension Saint Thomas (formerly Southern Tennessee Regional Health System – Winchester and Southern Tennessee Regional Health System – Sewanee) serve the communities of Southern Middle Tennessee with comprehensive, high-quality care. The recent rebrand reflects a continued commitment to clinical excellence, compassionate service, and enhanced regional collaboration.

Highpoint Health – Winchester with Ascension Saint Thomas is a 157-bed facility that includes 131 licensed acute care beds and 26 skilled nursing home beds. Fully accredited by The Joint Commission, the hospital offers a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services supported by a qualified and diverse medical staff. Key services include a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a 12-bed Geriatric Psychiatry Unit, and a 12-bed Acute Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation Unit. The facility also features a Skilled Nursing Unit, Sleep Lab, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, five Operating Rooms, and two Endoscopy Suites. Diagnostic imaging services include MRI, CT, PET/CT, Mammography, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, and X-ray. The hospital’s 13-bay Emergency Department sees more than 15,000 patient visits annually.

Highpoint Health – Sewanee with Ascension Saint Thomas, located on the campus of the University of the South, is a 41-bed facility offering 21 general acute care beds and 20 skilled nursing beds. It includes a 4-bay Emergency Department that treats more than 5,000 patients each year. Known for its individualized care and strong connection to the community, the Sewanee campus provides high-quality healthcare in a setting defined by collaboration, compassion, and service.

Together, the Winchester and Sewanee campuses are united in their mission of making communities healthier.

Connect with a Recruiter

Not ready to complete an application, or have questions? Please contact beth.bergman@lifepointhealth.net.

EEOC Statement

“Lifepoint Behavioral Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Lifepoint Behavioral Health is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in employment.”

About Us

Lifepoint Health is a leader in community-based care and driven by a mission of Making Communities Healthier. Our diversified healthcare delivery network spans 29 states and includes 63 community hospital campuses, 32 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 170 additional sites of care across the healthcare continuum, such as acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities. We believe that success is achieved through talented people. We want to create places where employees want to work, with opportunities to pursue meaningful and satisfying careers that truly make a difference in communities across the country.We employ and provide care to people from all walks of life. We are committed to promoting healing, providing hope, preserving dignity and producing value with an inclusive workforce in which diversity is leveraged, respected, and reflective of the patients, family members, customers and team members we serve.

Additional Information

• Job Identification: 360529
• Job Category: Nursing
• Posting Date: 2026-10-20
• Job Schedule: Full time
• Locations: 185 Hospital Rd, Winchester, TN, 37398, US ()
• FTE: 1.0 - 80 hr/pp (Full Time)
• Career Site Category: Social Work
• Position Type: Primary
• Facility Name: Lifepoint Behavioral Health
• Is this position grant-funded?: No