Chair, Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Job Description Summary

The Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health at South Shore Health is a distinguished leadership position for an experienced and visionary healthcare professional with a strong background in psychiatric care. Reporting directly to the Chief Medical Officer, the Chair will provide administrative, clinical, and strategic leadership for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, which will be established with the appointment of this position. This role ensures the delivery of comprehensive, patient-centered psychiatric and behavioral health care across inpatient, emergency department, and consult-liaison services while maintaining compliance with all relevant bylaws, regulations, and accrediting standards. The Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health will be responsible for developing the new department, overseeing its structure, operations, and workforce, including Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) such as psychiatrically trained physician assistants and psychiatric nurse practitioners. The Chair will focus on building a high-performing, multidisciplinary team to deliver exceptional care, improve patient outcomes, and enhance operational efficiency. Aligned with South Shore Health's mission, vision, and values, the Chair will focus on exceptional care delivery, strategic program growth, and seamless integration of behavioral health services. The Chair will provide guidance and leadership for the Grayken Center for Treatment, ensuring alignment with South Shore Health’s goals and priorities. In collaboration with the Physician Director of the Grayken Center, who oversees day-to-day clinical operations and key programs such as the Bridge Program, perinatal behavioral health services, and the Addiction Consult Service, the Chair will support the continued development and success of these initiatives. Together, they will advance innovation, promote evidence-based care, and ensure long-term sustainability, further strengthening the Grayken Center’s role as a regional leader in integrated behavioral health and addiction treatment. The Chair will work closely with Aspire, the largest of the three state-designated Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) serving South Shore Health’s region. This collaboration will optimize emergency psychiatric evaluations, discharge workflows, and care pathways to ensure timely access to community based behavioral health resources. This role demands a dynamic and strategic leader with demonstrated expertise in psychiatric and behavioral health care management, quality improvement, team development, and financial stewardship. The Chair will play a pivotal role in creating and advancing the department, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensuring the department’s financial and operational performance aligns with the health system’s goals.

Job Description

Departmental Leadership and Oversight 

*Under the direction of the CMO and in close partnership with the Executive Director of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, the Physician Director of Addictions Medicine, operational managers, and Directors of Patient Access, Nursing, and administrative leadership, the Chair will support the development and implementation of the overall Psychiatric and Behavioral Health mission, vision, and goals. This includes participating in the development and execution of strategic and capital plans and ensuring the implementation of strategic business plans aligned with South Shore Health's organizational objectives.

*Provide comprehensive administrative and clinical leadership for the newly created Department of Psychiatry, ensuring alignment with South Shore Health's strategic goals, mission, and values. Ensure compliance with all bylaws, regulations, and standards set forth by accrediting bodies and professional organizations.

*Oversee the professional conduct, clinical practice, and credentialing of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) within the department, upholding the highest standards of evidence-based care, professional ethics, and patient safety.

*Establish and communicate clear departmental goals for patient care excellence, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment that promotes high-quality psychiatric care delivery across inpatient, consult-liaison, and emergency settings.

* Lead the development of policies, protocols, and workflows that reflect best practices in psychiatric care delivery while streamlining operations for efficiency and effectiveness.

*Serve as an active member of the Medical Executive Committee (MEC), contributing to system [1] wide strategic planning, policy development, and decision-making processes.

*Collaborate with MEC leadership to advance departmental initiatives related to quality improvement, patient safety, and regulatory compliance.

Strategic Planning and Integration 

*Develop and execute a strategic vision for the growth of psychiatric services, including the expansion of innovative care models such as integrated behavioral health in primary care, telepsychiatry, and collaborative care initiatives.

*Provide oversight and strategic leadership for the Grayken Center for Treatment, supporting its ongoing development and success as a regional hub for substance use disorder (SUD) and behavioral health services. Partner closely with the Physician Director of the Grayken Center, who leads day-to-day operations and runs key programs such as the Addiction Consult Service, ensuring alignment with departmental and system-wide goals.

*Work collaboratively with the Physician Director to enhance programs such as the Bridge Program, perinatal behavioral health services, and the Addiction Consult Service, fostering clinical innovation, evidence-based care, and improved patient outcomes.

Clinical and Operational Excellence 
*Provide direct clinical consultation for adult and pediatric patients in inpatient and Emergency Department settings during regular clinical hours, modeling clinical excellence and compassionate care delivery. 
*Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality, evidence-based psychiatric care, using best practices and innovative protocols to improve patient outcomes, satisfaction, and operational efficiency. 
*Oversee and evaluate the quality of care provided, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and implementing key quality and safety initiatives. 
*Collaborate closely with the Chief Medical Officer and clinical leadership across Emergency Medicine, Medicine, Surgery, Critical Care, Obstetrics, and Ambulatory Services to integrate psychiatric APCs effectively, ensuring seamless care coordination for patients with complex needs. 
*Lead efforts within the MEC to enhance credentialing processes, including Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE). 

Financial and Resource Management 
*In partnership with the Executive Director of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, oversee the department’s financial performance, including budget development, resource allocation, and fiscal accountability, to ensure sustainable operations and strategic growth. 
*Advocate for and secure critical resources, including staffing, technology, and facilities, to support the current and future needs. 
*Work closely with the South Shore Health Foundation to identify and pursue opportunities for philanthropic and grant funding to advance behavioral health initiatives, infrastructure, and patient care programs. 

Professional Development and Team Leadership 
*Lead the recruitment, onboarding, credentialing, and mentorship of psychiatrists and Advanced Practice Clinicians, building a diverse, skilled, and engaged multidisciplinary team. 
*Foster a culture of collaboration, interdisciplinary learning, and professional growth within the department, promoting continuous education, training, and leadership development opportunities. 
*Champion South Shore Health's Highly Reliable Organization (HRO) journey by modeling behaviors, deploying tools, and encouraging practices that align with the system’s focus on safety, quality, and patient-centered care. 
*Provide educational leadership to support the development of psychiatric knowledge across SSH providers, particularly around the diagnosis and management of behavioral health conditions in patients with complex medical comorbidities. 

Community and System Engagement 
*Serve as the primary liaison to community partners, external healthcare providers, and academic institutions, building relationships that enhance program visibility, foster clinical collaborations, and expand access to psychiatric care. 
*Actively participate in system-wide committees and strategic initiatives, providing psychiatric expertise to inform policy development, program planning, and service delivery innovations. 
*Support advocacy efforts to improve behavioral health funding, infrastructure, and resources regionally, positioning South Shore Health as a leader in integrated psychiatric and addiction care. 

The Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health will embody South Shore Health's mission, vision, and values, leading with integrity, strategic focus, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. This role is critical to building a strong, integrated Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, enhancing patient care delivery, driving program innovation, and improving access to high-quality psychiatric and behavioral health services across the South Shore region. 

Education & Experience

Education 
o MD or DO, Board Certified in Psychiatry. 
o Advanced training in Addiction Psychiatry or Addiction Medicine preferred. 
Credentials 
o Meets requirements of South Shore Health and Executive Committee medical staff bylaws. 
o Credentialed by South Shore Hospital medical staff. 
o Current Massachusetts medical license. 

Work Experience 
Minimum of 5 years of administrative and clinical leadership experience is strongly preferred. 
Minimum of 5 years of experience in psychiatric care management. 
Experience with inpatient and emergency department psychiatric services is preferred. 

Schedule Full-time 40-hour position, split between clinical and administrative

responsibilities. 
o Clinical and administrative hours are to be performed on-site to foster strong, collegial, and team-based relationships with staff and key overlapping medical departments, including Hospital Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, and Addiction Medicine.