Intake Clinician, Substance Use Services

MHC Mental Health Cooperative, Inc.; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance/Prescription Drug

Health Savings Account

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Job summary

Mental Health Cooperative seeks a Substance Use Services Intake Clinician to conduct comprehensive substance use and behavioral health assessments, determine level of care, and guide treatment recommendations. The Intake Clinician ensures timely access to care through enrollment, scheduling, referrals, and collaboration with internal and external providers.

This onsite role requires in-person assessments in Nashville metro area and may include limited remote work based on needs.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related behavioral health discipline.
• Licensed or license-eligible in Tennessee as: LCSW, LMSW, LPC/MHSP or LMFT.
• Ability to work onsite and meet productivity etc. requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive substance use and behavioral health assessments.
• Determine appropriate level of care and make clinical recommendations.
• Coordinate and submit ROIs and enrollments; liaise with providers.
• Collaborate with hospitals, primary care, and community organizations.
• Maintain documentation in the electronic health record and ensure HIPAA compliance.

Skills

Knowledge of SUD and behavioral health

Clinical judgment

Communication

Documentation

Interpersonal skills

Independent worker

Education

Master's degree in Social Work or related behavioral health field

Tennessee licensure (LCSW, LMSW, LPC/MHSP or LMFT) or license-eligible

Job description

Substance Use Services Intake Clinician

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

• 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.

MHC was founded in Nashville, Tennessee, in response to the need for assertive community-based treatment for individuals who have required frequent inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Since 1993, MHC has been passionately helping adults with severe mental illness to live quality lives in the community with our state-of-the-art treatment and support. In 1999, MHC recognized the need to support the whole family and expanded services to include children and youth. We established our non-profit agency by merging three community organizations: Urban Case Management of Meharry Community Health Center, Continuous Treatment Team of Council of Community Services, and Mobile Crisis Team of the Crisis Intervention Center. This fusion resulted in an innovative, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary approach that addresses the specialized needs of individuals living with severe behavioral health conditions and challenges related to poverty. MHC remains the only organization in the state focused solely on this population.

To learn more, visit our website: https://www.mhc-tn.org/about-us/