Director of Health Services – RN or FNP

Director of Health Services – RN or Nurse Practitioner

Location: Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Job Type: Full-Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday; hybrid eligible within the local Santa Cruz area

Work Setting: Community-based behavioral health and health services organization

Pay: $130,000-$150,000 annually for Registered Nurse candidates; $180,000-$200,000 annually for Nurse Practitioner candidates, including FNP and PMHNP candidates

Additional Compensation: On-call stipend provided

A community-based behavioral health and health services organization is hiring a Director of Health Services to lead medical services across residential and outpatient programs in Santa Cruz, CA.

This leadership role is open to an experienced Registered Nurse, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with strong staff supervision experience, clinical operations experience, and a background supporting vulnerable health populations.

The Director of Health Services will help develop medical standards of care, improve clinical systems, support medical staff, and strengthen integrated services for individuals with complex health, behavioral health, substance use, housing, and social service needs.

This is a strong fit for a clinical leader who enjoys building systems, improving workflows, supporting teams, and helping community-based programs deliver high-quality, whole-person care.

• Lead and support medical services across community-based residential and outpatient programs.
• Develop, implement, and interpret medical standards of care, policies, procedures, and clinical workflows.
• Supervise, coach, train, onboard, and evaluate medical staff.
• Support integrated care for individuals with complex health, behavioral health, substance use, housing, and social service needs.
• Provide medical consultation for triage, intake concerns, emergencies, case management needs, and higher-level-of-care assessments.
• Support policies related to medication management, infectious disease, withdrawal management, Medication for Addiction Treatment, and related clinical areas.
• Monitor documentation quality, treatment notes, billing standards, compliance expectations, and performance goals.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, audits, staff training, and system improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with program leaders, the Medical Director, internal teams, and community partners to improve care coordination and service delivery.
• Support contracts, budgets, service line development, and sustainability planning for medical services.
• Participate in the medical on-call rotation, including after-hours, weekend, and holiday coverage as assigned.

• Graduate of an accredited Registered Nursing or Nurse Practitioner program.
• Active, unrestricted California RN license or active California Nurse Practitioner license as an FNP or PMHNP.
• Current BLS certification for healthcare providers.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience working with vulnerable health populations.
• At least 3 years of experience directly supervising staff.
• Experience with clinical operations, medical documentation, compliance, triage, and staff leadership.
• Strong computer skills, including Outlook, Excel, Teams, and similar platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and make sound decisions within scope of practice.
• Ability to recognize and respond to the needs of diverse individuals and communities.
• Ability to pass required criminal record clearance and health screening.
• Valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Public Health Nursing certification.
• Experience developing or improving medical service systems in behavioral health, community health, residential care, outpatient care, public health, or related settings.
• Experience with trauma-informed care, harm reduction, Medication for Addiction Treatment, withdrawal management, or services for individuals with complex behavioral health needs.
• Experience working in community-based, nonprofit, residential, outpatient, public health, or integrated care settings.

This is a full-time, Monday-Friday leadership role. The position is hybrid eligible within the local Santa Cruz area, with in-person presence required as needed to support programs, staff, and service delivery.

The role supports residential and outpatient programs serving individuals with complex health and behavioral health needs. Participation in the medical on-call rotation is required, and an additional on-call stipend is provided.

The salary range is based on licensure, scope of practice, experience, and education.

• Registered Nurse candidates: $130,000-$150,000 annually
• Nurse Practitioner candidates, including FNP or PMHNP candidates: $180,000-$200,000 annually
• Additional on-call stipend
• Medical and dental coverage
• Acupuncture and chiropractic coverage
• 15 paid holidays
• Hybrid eligible…