The Director is responsible for the day-to-day business and clinical operations of all BayCare Behavioral Inpatient Programs, 300 beds and 5 Psychiatric Emergency Rooms. The Director is responsible for all Psychiatric Nursing practices, supervision and coaching. Responsible for managing the provision of clinical behavioral services in the form of program development for the treatment of physical, emotional and behavior disorders. Develops implements and manages departmental policies and procedures. Plays key role in representing the acute services both internal and external to BayCare. Insures that Behavioral Health Services are delivered in compliance with state, local and federal laws, statues and regulations. Insures that all acute services of BayCare Behavioral Health are standard throughout the BayCare System.

Acts as the leader within a 60 inpatient acute care environment while demonstrating proficiency in all quality leadership skills. Expertly manages the care of patients within the facility through a multidisciplinary team consisting of Psychiatrists, Therapists, Nurses, and Mental Health Technicians comprising of over 110 FTEs. Maintains compliance with all mandatory and regulatory agency requirements ensuring all standards of compliance are met at all times. Development and implementation of hospital policy and procedures to ensure best standards of practice are provided to patients with a focus on one standard of care within the facility. Develops performance improvement measures through the utilization of quality projects within BayCare focusing on top decile performance. Actively participates in multiple hospital committees in an effort to maintain standards and promote the mission and values of the agency. Recognized by the Joint Commission for providing “best practices” during our 2014 hospital survey. Functions as the Cerner enhancement expert for BayCare Behavioral Health developing and implementing innovative ways to utilize technology to enhance services provided to the patients we serve.

Plans, implements, and evaluates all nursing services for the Emergency and Acute Care service division of Mental Health Care Inc. Provides evaluation and on-going staff management and development for over 50 Nursing FTEs. Manages and assures all nursing practice is in accordance with current Florida nursing standards and all regulatory and governing accreditation agencies. Provides leadership with continuous quality improvement activities via chair/ participation on multiple subcommittees of the Continuous Quality Improvement Committee and Performance Improvement division of MHC Inc.