Director-Post Acute Services

At ScionHealth, we empower our caregivers to do what they do best. We value every voice by caring deeply for every patient and each other. We show courage by running toward the challenge and we lean into new ideas by embracing curiosity and question asking. Together, we create our culture by living our values in our day-to-day interactions with our patients and teammates.

Summary:

The Director of Post-Acute Services is responsible for overseeing and managing all post-acute care programs within the hospital setting, including Inpatient Rehabilitation Services, Geriatric Psychiatry (Geri-Psych), and Swing Bed programs. This role will ensure the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care across these services while managing operational functions, ensuring compliance with regulations, optimizing resource utilization, and supporting the development and implementation of strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Essential Functions:

• Leadership & Oversight: Lead and manage the Post-Acute Services department, including Rehabilitation, Geri-Psych, and Swing Bed units. Provide strategic direction and ensure alignment with hospital goals and objectives. Supervise clinical and non-clinical staff, including rehab therapists, nurses, social workers, physicians, and support teams. Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure safe, efficient, and effective care delivery.
• Clinical & Operational Excellence: Ensure the integration of high-quality patient care by collaborating with other hospital departments and multidisciplinary teams. Monitor and improve patient care processes, ensuring timely delivery of rehabilitation services and psychiatric care. Oversee the utilization of swing beds and resources to maximize patient flow and optimize hospital capacity. Evaluate and enhance the quality and outcomes of rehabilitation, geriatric psychiatry, and swing bed services.
• Financial Management: Oversee budget development, resource allocation, and financial performance of the Post-Acute Services department. Develop cost-effective strategies to enhance service delivery while maintaining patient satisfaction and care quality. Monitor and ensure compliance with reimbursement models, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance for post-acute care services.
• Regulatory Compliance & Quality Improvement: Ensures the program provides services in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations and meets Medicare/Medicaid conditions of participation. Lead quality improvement initiatives in collaboration with the hospital’s quality department. Oversee risk management and accreditation activities specific to post-acute services, ensuring best practices in care delivery and patient safety.
• Staff Development & Training: Recruit, train, and retain a skilled workforce in the rehabilitation, geri-psych, and swing bed units. Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for staff. Ensure ongoing training and certification for staff to meet clinical and regulatory requirements.
• Patient & Family Experience: Foster a patient-centered approach by ensuring a positive and compassionate care environment. Develop initiatives to enhance patient satisfaction, including feedback collection, response to concerns, and follow-up care planning. Work with the patient care team to ensure effective discharge planning and transitions of care.
• Collaboration & Communication: Collaborate with hospital leadership, physicians, community partners, and other departments to ensure integrated care pathways. Serve as the primary liaison between hospital leadership, staff, patients, and families regarding post-acute services. Participate in meetings, committees, and task forces as needed to advocate for post-acute care services.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations:

• Strong leadership, management, and interpersonal skills. In-depth knowledge of post-acute care regulations, quality improvement strategies, and healthcare reimbursement models.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and improve operational efficiency while maintaining quality standards. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across various organizational levels.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address complex patient care and operational issues.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing, healthcare administration, or a related field, or equivalent work experience required. Master’s degree in healthcare administration (MHA), business administration (MBA), or related field (preferred).

License:

• Certification in Healthcare Management (e.g., FACHE) or related certifications preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in healthcare management or leadership roles, with at least 3 years of experience in post-acute care services (rehabilitation, geri-psych, or swing bed management).