Director of Behavioral Health

A 267-bed hospital in Fort Walton Beach, FL — offering an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, a Cancer Care Center, open-heart surgery, and Level II Trauma Center designation — is seeking a Director of Behavioral Health. The hospital operates a main emergency room, a pediatric ER, and two freestanding ERs, serving a broad range of acute care needs across the region.

The role. Reporting to the Chief Nursing Officer, the Director of Behavioral Health leads the day-to-day operations of a 48-bed Behavioral Health Unit with an average daily census of 38, overseeing approximately 24 FTEs. This leader drives clinical quality by identifying and implementing evidence-based practices that advance patient safety and outcomes, while managing variation in clinical practice to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The Director develops and enforces policies and procedures in compliance with legal and regulatory standards, monitors equipment maintenance schedules, and coordinates patient flow through volume forecasting and admission/discharge planning. Budget accountability is central to the role — including annual revenue and expense forecasting, productivity management, premium pay oversight, and identifying cost-reduction opportunities across staffing and supplies.

What we're looking for.

• Bachelor's Degree required
• RN License required
• 5 years of Recent (Within the last year) Acute Care Inpatient Behavioral Health Manager or Assistant Nurse Manager experience required
• Basic Cardiac Life Support must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention must be obtained within 90 days of employment start date
• Fingerprint required

Schedule. Day shift, full-time.

Compensation. $110,000 - $130,000 per year plus Sign on: No Sign on; Relocation Assistance: Case by Case