VHC Health logo
VHC Health
Arlington, Virginia

Patient Care Director, Behavioral Health Unit

Behavioral HealthFull-Time

Listed compensation

$123k-$234k

Listing transparency2 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and weekend coverage.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Position Title

Patient Care Director, Behavioral Health Unit

Job Description

Purpose & Scope:

This professional RN is responsible for the 24-hour management of the department. Develops patient care services goals, objectives, standards of performance, policies and procedures; organizes the department in accordance with the hospital's mission and vision statements in order to provide specified nursing services to meet the legal, organizational, and medical staff guidelines. Evaluates proposed procedural changes as they relate to patient care, directs / supervises the implementation, and ensures compliance with Standards of Nursing Practice that promote optimum health care delivery.

Education

  • Bachelor's degree from an Accredited School of Nursing is required.
  • Master's degree in nursing, business administration, or healthcare administration is preferred.

Experience

Three years of Nursing Leadership is PreferredThree years of experience in area of clinical specialty is required.

Certification/Licensure

Licensed as a Registered Nurse by the Virginia Department of Health Professions is required. Compact State Licensure in Nursing is required. BLS Certification required.

Additional Job Description

At VHC Health, every role contributes to exceptional care, better outcomes, and stronger communities. In addition to your base compensation, VHC Health offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage (subject to eligibility requirements), as well as additional wellness and retirement benefits designed to support our employees and their families. VHC Health is committed to wage transparency and equitable pay practices. The compensation offered for this position—whether expressed as an annual salary or hourly rate—is determined based on a variety of legitimate, non-discriminatory factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, a candidate’s qualifications, relevant training and experience, skill level, shift differentials (where applicable), internal equity, and current market conditions. The posted hiring range reflects the range VHC Health, in good faith, believes is appropriate for this role at the time of posting. This range may be adjusted in the future based on business needs or market changes. No portion of compensation is considered earned until it is vested and determined in accordance with the terms of applicable policies and benefit plans. The availability and amount of any bonuses, incentives, or other benefits are subject to the terms of those plans and may be modified at the sole discretion of VHC Health, in accordance with applicable law. VHC Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions and lactation), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law. VHC Health maintains a drug-free workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited at all VHC Health locations.

Key Responsibilities

The Patient Care Director is responsible for the 24-hour management of the Behavioral Health Unit, including developing patient care goals and standards. They ensure the department operates in compliance with hospital policies and legal guidelines to provide high-quality nursing services.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Nursing and a valid Virginia Registered Nurse license. At least three years of experience in a clinical specialty is required, with leadership experience preferred.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree
Experience
5+ years of experience

Key Skills

Patient care managementPolicy developmentStaff supervisionClinical complianceNursing practice standardsRN licensure

Behavioral Health Career Context

Of the 32 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 34% are remote, 34% have no call, 59% require no weekends.

Behavioral Health pay on WeekdayDoc is down 4.5% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Virginia is 101.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$179k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $177k in an average-cost state. 61.1% of Virginia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks12 jobs · 11 employers

401k / retirement match
100% this job
CME allowance
25%
Sign-on bonus
8%

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Work-life snapshot

1.5/ 10
Listing-based score

Living in Arlington

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1,000k
Typical market rent
$2,702/mo
Residents’ average commute
26 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.9
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

VHC Health logo

About VHC Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Arlington, VA
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Wellness and retirement benefits