Job Information
State of Tennessee Job Information
Opening Date/Time08/27/2026 12:00AM Central TimeClosing Date/Time09/02/2026 11:59PM Central TimeSalary (Monthly)$8,620.00 - $13,754.00Salary (Annually)$103,440.00 - $165,048.00Job TypeFull-TimeCity, State LocationNashville, TNDepartmentMental Health and Substance Abuse Services
LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, DAVIDSON COUNTY
This position is located in Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute
This position is an on-site position
This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.
Qualifications
Education and Experience: Possession of a doctorate in psychology from an accredited university.
Necessary Special Qualifications: Licensure or a temporary permit as a psychologist with the State of Tennessee is required at the time of employment and must be maintained for the duration of the one-year probationary period; licensure as a psychologist with the State of Tennessee is required by the end of the probationary period and must be maintained throughout employment.
Overview
Summary: Under the direction of the Psychology Department Director, the Forensic Psychologist is responsible for performing professional psychological work of considerable difficulty and performing related work as required. The role of the Forensic Psychologist for this position is to complete court-ordered inpatient forensic evaluations and related work following inpatient admission to the Regional Mental Health Institute.
Responsibilities
Developing Objectives and Strategies:
- Plans a comprehensive mental health treatment program, including evaluation and diagnosis, detailed treatment planning, and extensive services.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:
- Evaluates various clinical documentation and services to ensure compliance with professional, state, and federal standards.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems:
- Develops treatment strategies to effectively address challenging and unique treatment needs.
- Assisting and Caring for Others:
- Provides crisis intervention services for individuals.
- Provides individual, group, and other therapy to improve behavioral health and/or mental health.
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates:
- Supervises the clinical work of professional, sub-professional, and nonprofessional personnel.
Getting Information:
- Administers tests to individuals to collect information needed to make an appropriate evaluation and diagnosis.
- Observes individuals to obtain information relevant to their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning.
- Interviews various individuals to collect information necessary to perform specific types of evaluations.
- Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People:
- Evaluates the quality of work of service providers to determine whether corrective action is needed.
Monitoring and Controlling Resources:
- Controls the use of resources relevant to psychological services by determining whether or not services are warranted.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:
- Testifies as an expert witness to provide information relevant to an individual's case.
- Explains biopsychosocial constructs to help others understand mental health and more effectively provide care.
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others:
- Serves as a psychological resource person in evaluating and identifying problems, in developing detailed and coordinated treatment plans, and in conducting a wide variety of individual and group therapeutic and habilitative activities.
Documenting/Recording Information:
- Writes detailed clinical notes and reports to document services provided.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:
- Maintains professional working relationships with peers, with assigned subordinates, and with upper management to ensure smooth and effective team operations.
Analyzing Data or Information:
- Analyzes and interprets behavioral and mental health data to monitor progress and plan treatment.
- Analyzes quality improvement, benchmarking or other data relevant to the performance and improvement of the agency to identify trends and/or determine improvement needs.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:
- Conducts and participates in diagnostic and evaluative staff meetings to discuss diagnoses, etiology, treatment, and disposition.
Processing Information:
- Enters appropriate diagnostic codes into clinical documents.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:
- Performs personal contact work with a variety of other individuals, groups, agencies, and other entities in explaining, interpreting and furthering programs.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others:
- Resolves simple conflicts without supervisory input to ensure timely and efficient performance and to maintain positive working relationships.
- Maintains a respectful and productive work environment within the assigned work unit to minimize disputes and facilitate performance.
Coaching and Developing Others:
- Instructs professional, sub-professional, and nonprofessional personnel in the theories, practices, and techniques employed in psychological services programs.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:
- Independently plans and prioritizes work to meet deadlines.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others:
- Coordinates and leads clinical meetings.
- Coordinates workloads with internal and external business partners as required to facilitate timely and accurate task completion.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:
- Applies evidence-based practices in the delivery of psychological services.
- Reads professional literature to keep up to date on community best practices.
- Attends various continuing education seminars relevant to work to maintain licensure.
Performing Administrative Activities:
- Completes relevant forms as required to accomplish professional responsibilities.
Staffing Organizational Units:
- Conducts interviews for job candidates to assist in the selection and hiring process.
Training and Teaching Others:
- Conducts training classes relevant to mental health issues to educate others.
Competencies (KSA's)
Competencies:
- Instills Trust
- Manages Complexity
- Manages Conflict
- Strategic Mindset
- Decision Quality
Knowledge:
- Law and Government
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Clerical
Skills:
- Active Learning and Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Judgment and Decision Making
Abilities
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Clarity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Originality
- Information Ordering
Tools & Equipment
- Computer
- Telephone
- Fax/Printer/Copy Machine
- Scanner
TN Driver Standards
State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:
- A valid driver's license
- For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.
Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.
Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.