Behavioral Health Manager Jobs in Iowa
Behavioral Health Manager jobs in Iowa are in steady demand, concentrated in community mental health centers, hospital systems, and state-funded substance use programs across Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids. Large employers with consistent hiring in this role include UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and the University of Iowa Health Care. The most sought-after specialties are substance use disorder program management, crisis services coordination, and integrated care oversight. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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This position is flexible with hours being 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am
Work Shift
Night ShiftScheduled Weekly Hours
24Summary
This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by being a competent, respectful, and compassionate professional who is able to safely, appropriately, accurately, efficiently and independently follow Mercy's standards along with policies and procedures while caring for patients. The Registered Staff Nurse works with the unit specific team members to identify clinical problems, develop a plan, and educate patients and families.Job Description
Job Duties
Ensures that accurate and clinically relevant information is communicated with patients, their families, and co-workers at hand offs and other times as needed. Take all measures necessary to ensure that the appropriate and involved parties have communicated necessary information in order to allow for the best possible patient outcome.
Demonstrates competent assessment, planning, intervention, coordination and evaluation skills based on the individual patient plan of care.
Continually assesses patient and family needs in order to provide quality care based on a patient centered care model.
Demonstrates critical thinking skills and judgment necessary to implement a patient plan of care, nursing interventions and procedures.
Maintains accurate and real time documentation of nursing care provided to ensure the integration of information for use by the healthcare team, according to hospital policy and procedure related to documentation parameters.
Functions as a role model for current and new staff by creating a healthy work environment to facilitate the department's or unit's ability to meet identified goals and objectives.
Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitor and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible and courteous environment.
Directs other licensed and non-licensed personnel in the provision of care to patients as assigned.
Demonstrate effective and age-appropriate communication as well as the ability to understand the needs of the patient including non-verbal communication, fears, anxieties and language/cultural barriers.
Responds within scope of practice to emergencies and life-threatening conditions.
Adheres to and promotes patient safety practices throughout the patient experience.
Communicates and collaborates effectively with all members of the healthcare team.
Provides ongoing education to patients and families.
Delegates to other staff registered nurse, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, patient care technicians, unit secretaries, and other staff positions specific to the department.
Remains current on Evidence-based practice as well as appropriate Protocols and Procedures.
Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.
Department Specific Duties
Behavioral Health (for assigned position within the Healing Center)
Assesses and reassesses Suicide Risk, per policy, utilizing the tools provided and adapts the plan of care with appropriate interventions based upon assessment.
De-escalates patients in crisis to prevent acts of aggression towards self and others.
Conducts psycho educational groups as needed and/or educates one to one on diagnosis, symptom management, medication, wellness, and positive coping skills.
Monitors for withdrawal from alcohol and other substances and follows protocols and utilizes appropriate interventions based upon assessment.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Sound background in basic nursing principles and procedures.
Demonstrates competency in unit specific skills.
Demonstrates ability to provide safe and effective basic nursing care.
Role Models exemplary customer service skills including verbal and non-verbal skills and proper phone etiquette.
Creates a welcoming environment for all healthcare team members.
Committed to ongoing self-development and learning.
Professional Experience
Previous RN experience in an acute care setting preferred.
Department specific experience requirements are noted below:
Behavioral Health
Experience in mental health and/or chemical dependency is preferred.
Physical Requirements
Heavy: Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs. to waist and shoulder height on frequent basis
Able to lift up to 50 lbs. on occasional basis for assist with patient transfers
Rare lifting of up to 100 lbs. for controlled falls
Able to lift 15 lbs. overhead on occasional basis.
Able to push and pull of up to 20 lbs. of horizontal force on frequent basis, up to 35 lbs. of horizontal force on occasional basis and up to 50 lbs. of horizontal force on rare basis.
Ability to administer CPR
Women & Children's Float Pool
Medium: Exert 20-50 lbs. of force occasionally and/or 10-15 lbs. of force frequently.
Pay Rate Type
HourlyMercy is an independent, community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years.
Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
See All 60 Behavioral Health Manager Jobs in Iowa
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Find JobsBehavioral Health Manager Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Manager Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health manager jobs across Iowa.
- Active Iowa license in a clinical discipline such as LMHC, LISW, or LMFT
- Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related behavioral health field
- Minimum three to five years of direct behavioral health clinical or supervisory experience
- Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary behavioral health teams and service delivery
- Familiarity with Iowa Medicaid managed care requirements and behavioral health billing practices
- Strong knowledge of accreditation standards such as CARF or The Joint Commission for behavioral health programs
Behavioral Health Manager Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health manager in Iowa?
Most behavioral health manager roles in Iowa require a master's degree in social work, counseling, or psychology paired with an active Iowa clinical license. The Iowa Board of Behavioral Science oversees licensure for mental health counselors and social workers, including the Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Independent Social Worker credentials. Candidates typically move into management after accumulating supervised clinical hours and demonstrating program oversight or team leadership experience within an Iowa behavioral health setting.
Which companies hire behavioral health managers in Iowa?
Companies currently hiring behavioral health managers in Iowa include MercyOne, ANGELS CARE, and Plains Area Mental Health Center, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Iowa's network of community mental health centers and regional hospital systems generates consistent openings for this role across the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most behavioral health manager jobs?
Des Moines, Waterloo, and Iowa City post the most behavioral health manager openings in Iowa. Des Moines drives the largest share of listings as the state's most populous metro and home to major hospital networks and community behavioral health organizations, while Iowa City's concentration of university health care and teaching programs supports strong demand, and Cedar Rapids anchors hiring across the Corridor region.
Are there remote behavioral health manager jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're limited, because behavioral health manager roles typically require on-site program oversight, staff supervision, and direct coordination with clinical teams. About 41% of behavioral health manager openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting that some administrative and compliance-focused functions can be handled off-site. Utilization review, care coordination oversight, and grant reporting are the functions most likely to appear in remote-eligible postings.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health manager in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a supervisory role from a frontline clinical position at a community mental health center or hospital-based behavioral health unit. Iowa employers such as UnityPoint Health and MercyOne regularly promote licensed clinicians from case manager, care coordinator, or outpatient therapist roles into team lead or program supervisor positions. Earning an Iowa clinical license early and volunteering for committee or quality improvement work within your current organization builds the profile that Iowa hiring managers look for before promoting into management.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health manager jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to behavioral health manager jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings in one place. Search the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match your experience and location preferences.
See All 60 Behavioral Health Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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