Inpatient Medical Director - Psychiatrist - Cobb

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Work Shift

Medical Director of Inpatient Psychiatry,
Hospital Division

Position Summary

Wellstar Health System is seeking a dynamic and dedicated psychiatric leader to serve as Medical Director of Inpatient Psychiatry for a 32-bed adult behavioral health unit. This is a key clinical leadership role for a motivated physician with strong clinical acumen, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care for individuals with primary psychiatric and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Future state, this leader will report directly to the Division Medical Director of Inpatient Behavioral Health, the Medical Director will provide day-to-day clinical oversight, support multidisciplinary collaboration, and lead continuous quality improvement efforts. The role is structured as approximately 0.2 FTE dedicated to leadership and administrative responsibilities and 0.8 FTE to direct patient care within the inpatient setting.

About the Unit

This 32-bed adult behavioral health unit serves adults with a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses, including mood, psychotic, anxiety, and substance use disorders. The care team includes psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, therapists, and mental health technicians. The unit supports both voluntary and involuntary admissions and maintains close coordination with emergency psychiatry, medical units, and outpatient services to ensure seamless transitions of care.

Position Responsibilities

Clinical & Operational Leadership

• Serve as the on-site clinical leader for the 32-bed inpatient psychiatry unit.
• Model and promote evidence-based and recovery-oriented psychiatric care.
• Supervise and support the interdisciplinary care team, fostering strong collaboration across roles.
• Monitor patient flow, admission and discharge practices, and clinical throughput.
• Support the development and adherence to clinical protocols, pathways, and standardized care processes.

Quality Improvement & Performance Monitoring

• Partner with the unit operations director to co-lead quality initiatives on the unit, including reducing seclusion/restraint, improving medication safety, and monitoring clinical outcomes.
• Analyze clinical data and develop targeted interventions to improve safety, efficiency, and outcomes.
• Participate in Root Cause Analyses (RCA), safety huddles, and continuous performance improvement efforts.
• Ensure compliance with Joint Commission standards, and other regulatory requirements.

Team Development & Culture

• Lead daily treatment team meetings to review unit performance, safety concerns, and care quality.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and mentorship to unit-based providers, including early-career psychiatrists and APPs.
• Collaborate with nursing leadership to support a positive, high-performing unit culture.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and retention of inpatient psychiatry staff.

Collaboration & Continuity of Care

• Partner closely with Wellstar’s Behavioral Health Service Line leadership, including the Director of the Service Line, staff supporting the Behavioral Health Assessment & Resource Center (BH ARC), and others.
• Meet regularly with the Division Medical Director overseeing all of Wellstar’s hospital-based behavioral health services to ensure system-facility alignment.
• Serve as a key liaison to emergency psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, and outpatient providers to support coordinated transitions of care.
• Partner with the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer to align clinical operations with institutional priorities.
• Collaborate with academic partners to support learners (including medical students) and future residency rotations.

Qualifications

• MD or DO from an accredited medical school
• Board Certification in Psychiatry
• Active Georgia medical license (or eligibility)
• At least 5 years post-residency clinical experience in inpatient psychiatry
• Previous leadership experience in a hospital-based behavioral health setting
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive operational improvements

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Strong communicator and clinical leader who thrives in team-based environments
• Deep understanding of inpatient psychiatry workflows, safety priorities, and quality improvement
• Committed to compassionate, whole-person care and to supporting team wellness
• Energetic, adaptable, and mission-aligned with Wellstar’s vision for behavioral health transformation

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a CV and a short statement of interest describing their clinical and leadership experience and their vision for inpatient psychiatric care.

This role represents a unique opportunity to make a direct and lasting impact on inpatient mental health care within a growing and forward-looking healthcare system.

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