Intake Clinician, Substance Use Services

Ranked one of Tennessee’s top places to work, MHC is a rare and special place where outstanding company culture is intentional. Where clients and associates are treated the same, as equals.

Mental Health Cooperative, Inc. (MHC) was formed in 1993 to serve individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.  Since then, we have expanded our services to children and adolescents with severe emotional disorders across Middle and East Tennessee.

Our sole purpose is to support and treat those challenged with serious mental illness and poverty. Although based out of Nashville, we serve several communities across middle and East Tennessee with satellite offices in Antioch, Gallatin, Dickson, Columbia, Cleveland, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Cookeville, Chattanooga, and Memphis. 

If you are interested in joining a team that is caring, collaborative, innovative and energizing this might be a great place for you!

Job Title: Substance Use Services Intake Clinician

Department: MAT

Location: Office Location Metro Nashville – this is an onsite position

Status: Full-time

Mental Health Cooperative embraces inclusion, diversity and equal opportunity. We're committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Mental Health Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

JOB SUMMARY

Substance Use Services Intake Clinician

The Substance Use Services Intake Clinician conducts comprehensive substance use and behavioral health assessments to determine appropriate services, level of care, and treatment recommendations. The Intake Clinician provides timely access to care through assessment, enrollment, scheduling, referrals, and collaboration with internal and external providers.

Location & Work Requirements

• Onsite work is required for this position.
• This is a primarily onsite role, with potential remote work based on operational needs, productivity, job responsibilities, and supervisor approval.
• Must be available to complete in-person assessments, enrollments, and other onsite responsibilities as needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Substance Use & Behavioral Health Intake

• Conduct comprehensive substance use assessments and intake evaluations.
• Assess substance use history, mental health needs, withdrawal risk, safety concerns, and barriers to treatment.
• Determine appropriate level of care and make clinical recommendations.
• Complete required consents, screenings, assessments, enrollment documentation, and scheduling.
• Obtain and complete required consumer consent forms and Releases of Information (ROIs) during the intake process.
• Coordinate and submit authorized ROIs to primary care providers and other outside providers to obtain relevant medical and treatment records.
• Track and follow up on requested records as needed to support assessment, enrollment, and continuity of care.
• Assess consumers for appropriate MHC services, including:

-> Care Management

-> Medication Management

-> Individual Therapy

-> IOP

-> MAT

-> Peer Recovery Support

-> Harm Reduction Services

-> Other specialty behavioral health programs

• Assess withdrawal risk and identify consumers requiring detoxification, residential treatment, crisis stabilization, or other higher levels of care.
• Coordinate referrals to community providers when services outside MHC are indicated.
• Complete behavioral health enrollments when applicable based on licensure, scope of practice, training, and departmental needs.
• Provide education regarding available services and treatment options.

Access to Care & Collaboration

• Provide timely access to services through responsive engagement, assessment, and efficient scheduling.
• Collaborate with hospitals, emergency departments, primary care providers, criminal justice partners, schools, community organizations, and other referral sources.
• Communicate assessment outcomes and recommendations to receiving treatment teams.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, therapists, care managers, peer specialists, and program leadership regarding enrollment and treatment recommendations.
• Participate in interdisciplinary staffing and the Intake Committee process when required.

Crisis Identification

• Identify behavioral health or substance use crises requiring immediate intervention.
• Assess safety and withdrawal risks and facilitate appropriate crisis or emergency services.
• Develop or support safety planning and obtain clinical consultation when indicated.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and clinically appropriate documentation in the electronic health record.
• Complete required assessments, consents, screenings, referrals, and enrollment documentation.
• Meet departmental productivity and access-to-care expectations.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA, Corporate Compliance, OSHA, payer, regulatory, and MHC requirements.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, staff meetings, trainings, and required education.
• Assist teammates and perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of substance use disorders, behavioral health, crisis intervention, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented practices.
• Knowledge of withdrawal risks, levels of care, and community resources.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive assessments and make appropriate treatment recommendations.
• Strong clinical judgment, communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced behavioral health environment.
• Ability to manage multiple intakes, referrals, assessments, and access-to-care responsibilities.

Essential Requirements

• Valid Tennessee Driver’s License.
• Acceptable MVR and criminal background investigation.
• Personal automobile insurance.
• Ability to work onsite as required.
• Ability to meet productivity, documentation, and access-to-care expectations.
• Maintain required professional licensure and credentials.
• Education & Licensure

REQUIREMENTS

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapy, Psychology, or another behavioral health discipline.
• Licensed or license-eligible in Tennessee as: LCSW, LMSW, LPC/MHSP or LMFT

Behavioral Health Enrollment

Behavioral health enrollment responsibilities may be assigned based on the employee's Tennessee licensure, scope of practice, training, competency, and departmental needs. Employees must practice within the scope of their license and MHC policies.

BENEFITS

Mental Health Cooperative offers a full comprehensive benefit plan for you to participate in. The following products are available:

• Medical Insurance/Prescription Drug Coverage

• Health Savings Account

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance

• Short- & Long-Term Disability

• Supplemental Life Insurance

• Cancer Insurance

• Accident Insurance

• Critical Illness Insurance

• 403b - Retirement Plan

• Calm App for medication and mental health

• Gym membership discounts

Mental Health Cooperative embraces inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunity and is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. MHC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.