Description

Who we are:

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio's prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, OH.

DBH Values:

• Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
• Value Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees, including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness, second-chance hiring, and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect, both in the community and within our own team.

Exceptional behavioral health care starts with exceptional leadership! Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare (COBH) is seeking a Chief Clinical Officer who leads with empathy, clinical excellence, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by patients and staff in acute psychiatric settings. In this role, you’ll champion trauma informed care, elevate interdisciplinary collaboration, and cultivate a culture where clinicians feel supported, patients feel safe, and families feel heard. If you’re driven to improve outcomes, strengthen clinical programs, and shape a healing environment for some of the most vulnerable individuals in our communities, we’d love to meet with you.

Do you have the vision and leadership to shape the future of mental health care in Ohio? We’re seeking a Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) to lead Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare — a mission driven role centered on the full operational, clinical, and administrative leadership of a state psychiatric hospital. The CCO is responsible for ensuring safe, high quality inpatient care; maintaining a strong, resilient workforce; overseeing hospital operations and regulatory compliance; and fostering a culture where staff and patients can thrive. This role blends strategic oversight with hands on clinical management to ensure the hospital delivers exceptional, recovery oriented care for individuals living with serious mental illness.

More About COBH:

Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare (COBH) operates as a critical component of Ohio’s state-operated psychiatric hospital system within the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). As part of this coordinated statewide network of regional psychiatric hospitals, COBH works in close partnership with sister facilities to ensure consistent standards of care, operational alignment, and system-wide responsiveness to the behavioral health needs of Ohio’s communities.

Through this integrated state hospital network, COBH contributes to shared clinical protocols, quality initiatives, workforce strategies, forensic coordination, and emergency response planning that strengthen Ohio’s public behavioral health infrastructure.

COBH delivers evidence-based treatment through a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and other behavioral health professionals who work collaboratively to promote recovery, stability, and successful reintegration into the community. In addition to individualized treatment planning, COBH emphasizes trauma-informed care, person-centered recovery, and strong partnerships with local mental health boards, community providers, and support networks.

As a safety-net provider, COBH also serves court-referred individuals through forensic services, ensuring access to high quality care while supporting community safety. The hospital is committed to fostering hope, dignity, and empowerment for every person it serves.

COBH provides recovery-based, comprehensive, quality, cost-effective mental health services to adults with severe mental illness in a secure inpatient setting.  The main facility opened in 2024 and consists of 208 acute and longer-term patient beds. The maximum-security facility, Timothy B. Moritz Forensic Unit, has four units with 52 beds and serves all 88 Ohio counties. The length of stay varies for each patient but generally is 10-14 days on the acute care units. Prior to discharge, we work collaboratively with the mental health centers to link patients with an outpatient treatment team or their own psychiatrist to maintain their progress in the community.

As one of Ohio’s major state-operated psychiatric hospitals, COBH serves as a regional hub for inpatient psychiatric services while supporting statewide forensic capacity and inter-facility collaboration. 

What you’ll do at DBH:

The Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) at Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare is a pivotal executive leader responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of all clinical services within the hospital. This role combines high-level administrative leadership with direct clinical supervision to ensure the highest standards of psychiatric care, staff development, and patient outcomes. As CCO, you will oversee a comprehensive behavioral health system including:

• 208 inpatient beds
• 52 maximum security inpatient beds
• 250 outpatient clients served through the Community Support Network (CSN)

This role represents one of Ohio’s most impactful clinical leadership opportunities within public behavioral healthcare.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Clinical Leadership

Develop, implement, and oversee hospital-wide clinical goals, policies, procedures, and quality standards.
Serve as a key advisor to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on all matters of clinical significance.
Actively participate as a member of the Governing Board, Executive Committee, and Medical Staff.
Represent the hospital and agency in clinical matters across internal and external stakeholder groups.

Psychiatric Leadership

Serve as Chief of Psychiatry, overseeing the assignment of physicians for adequate clinical coverage and continuity of patient care.
Supervise and evaluate performance of physician staff, clinical department heads, and medical support personnel.
Review and provide recommendations on all clinical hiring decisions to the CEO.

Clinical Program Oversight

Provide psychiatric consultation and support to interdisciplinary teams including social workers, psychologists, and therapists.
Plan and lead in-service training and continuing education programs for hospital clinical departments.
Coordinate closely with community-based clinical officers to ensure seamless care transitions, case collaboration, and service integration.

Stakeholder and Community Engagement

Maintain and strengthen partnerships with local providers and community stakeholders to support collaborative care and best practices.
Foster a culture of clinical excellence, innovation, and accountability within the hospital system.
At DBH, we are committed to improving the lives of Ohioans through compassionate, comprehensive, and community-centered behavioral healthcare. As CCO, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of mental health treatment and recovery for individuals across the state.

Compensation & Incentives:

Approximate Annual Salary: $300,000

Total compensation is based on experience, credentials, and scope of clinical leadership. This position also offers full State of Ohio benefits and is eligible for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

This position is unclassified per 124.11 (A) (9), Ohio Revised Code.

Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm with a flexible schedule.

Primary Work Location:
Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare, 2200 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43223.

Requirements

Certificate to practice medicine as issued by State Medical Board pursuant to Sections 4731.14 & 4731.281 of Revised Code.

Required Educational Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.

To be considered for this position, you must apply online through the posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.