Service Chief, Child and Adolescent Day Hospital

The Child and Adolescent Day Hospital at Sheppard Pratt's Towson and Baltimore/Washington campuses provides a partial hospitalization program for adolescents ages 12–17. Patients participate in six and a half hours of therapeutic, age-appropriate programming each day from Monday through Friday and return home each afternoon. Stays typically last 2–3 weeks. The program treats major depressive disorders, anxiety disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder, and other mental health conditions.

What to expect:

Under the general direction of the Medical Director, the Service Chief manages admissions, medical treatment, and clinical operations for the Child and Adolescent Day Hospital. This role works with program directors on each campus to establish the unit's treatment philosophy and goals, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based psychiatric care. The Service Chief provides direct clinical care to a caseload of patients, supervises and mentors staff, and ensures compliance with licensing, regulatory, and accreditation standards.

The Service Chief actively participates in the treatment milieu, building a collaborative multidisciplinary team. They lead quality improvement initiatives, promote effective communication across the program, and support professional development for staff. This role is critical in fostering a positive, therapeutic environment while maintaining operational and clinical excellence.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Direct Care (Clinical work will be a combination of patients in day hospital and inpatient services):

• Lead the development and coordination of individualized, multidisciplinary treatment plans.

• Conduct comprehensive diagnostic assessments, make informed treatment and medication management decisions, and adjust plans based on patient progress.
• Provide expert consultation to medical staff and manage complex patient care concerns.

• Assess patient readiness for discharge, recommend appropriate aftercare, and ensure quality assurance in treatment delivery.

• Administration / Leadership

• Collaborate with program managers to ensure high quality, evidence based, consistent care delivery across programs.

• Oversee quality of care and patient safety, participating in quality improvement efforts at both campus programs
• Foster collaboration and communication within the multidisciplinary team, including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, and social workers.
• Provide education and mentorship to junior staff and trainees.
• Provide specific ongoing / active education, mentorship, and case review with nurse practitioners providing care in both.
• Contribute to ongoing efforts to recruit for and increases census on day hospital programs
• As part of this role, primary clinical responsibilities may be on either the Towson or BWC campus with virtual communication with the other program, but regular physical presence at both programs is expected.

What you'll get from us:

At Sheppard Pratt, you will work alongside a multi-disciplined team led by a bold vision to change lives. We offer:

• An opportunity to provide quality mental health care services in a physician-led organization.
• A commitment to professional development, including a comprehensive tuition reimbursement program, access to free SMEs and reimbursement for licensure and association dues.
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits.
• 403b retirement match.
• Generous paid-time-off and flexible scheduling.
• Complimentary Employee Assistance Program. (EAP)
• Opportunities for student loan forgiveness.
• Grand rounds, CME opportunities, and on-site lectures.
• An opportunity work with trainees including medical students, residents, and fellows.

What we need from you:

• Three years of experience preferred, including completion of a training program and practical experience in an acute psychiatric setting.
• Child psychiatry fellowship required for those treating children and adolescents.
• Active medical license in the state of Maryland.
• Board Certification in Psychiatry Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
• Maryland Controlled Substances Registration and valid DEA Certificate.
• Experience leading care teams in an acute behavioral health setting.

The base pay range for this position is $265,000 minimum to $325,000 maximum. Pay for this position is determined on a number of factors, including but not limited to, board certifications and years and level of related experience.
WHY SHEPPARD PRATT?
At Sheppard Pratt, we are more than just a workplace. We are a community of healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing hope and healing to individual's facing life's challenges. Join us and be a part of a mission that changes lives