Discharge Specialist (Behavioral Care Center)

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!

Position Summary:  The Discharge Specialist will work collaboratively with Consumers to develop comprehensive discharge plans for every Consumer in the Behavioral Care Center (BCC).

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM

Position Responsibilities: 

1. Meets one-on-one with BCC C’s to collaboratively develop a discharge plan that addresses that Consumer’s presenting problem/primary needs:

• Mental health: Outpatient appointment scheduling (psychiatric/counseling), safety planning, restricting access to lethal means, connection to follow-up programs
• Physical health: PCP resources and appointments as needed
• Substance Use: Relapse prevention plan, treatment resources and referrals as needed
• Housing: Resources and referral assistance as needed
• Financial, Legal, Social: Resources and referrals as needed
   

2. Makes customer service a priority with internal and external customers.

3. Provides active listening and problem-solving with Consumers.

4. Participates in daily multi-disciplinary team meetings.

5. Maintains and facilitates communication regarding Consumer’s care with all relevant staff.

6. Displays workforce flexibility including providing direct line services as needed on the unit.

7. Ensures timely and appropriate documentation as required by the Agency.

8. Develops and maintains community and MHC interdepartmental relations as it relates to discharge planning through outreach and prompt follow-up with contacts.

9. Works with Consumers during their stay in BCC to reduce psychiatric symptoms and facilitate their return to a less restrictive environment.

10. Works collaboratively with other treatment staff and DCSO staff. 

11. Actively participates in the multi-disciplinary team meetings.

Other Responsibilities:

• Responsible for attending all mandatory in-services, continuing education and annual health requirements

• Comply with all Corporate Compliance policies, practices and procedures

• Report all unethical activities to supervisor, Corporate Compliance Office, Values Hotline number or Human Resource Director

• Comply with all OSHA and safety policies, practices, and procedures.  Report all unsafe practices or accidents to supervisor, Safety Supervisor and/or OSHA Coordinator

• Will be compliant with the relevant regulations concerning the privacy and security of consumer’s protected health information (PHI) as established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

• Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals

• Perform other duties as assigned

• Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill

• Follow all policies and procedures set by the Agency

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in health-related field of counseling, psychology, or social work

Essential Requirements for the Position:

• Valid Tennessee Driver’s License
• Acceptable Criminal Background Investigation
• Personal Automobile Insurance
• “F” Endorsement

Core Competencies:

• Internal and external customer service indicative of mutual respect and trust
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Ability to prioritize, remain calm and focused when dealing with consumer crisis
• Remain flexible and demonstrate positive attitude to respond to changing needs

Reporting to this Position:

• None

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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 & Vision Insurance

• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance

• Short- & Long-Term Disability

• Supplemental Life Insurance

• Cancer Insurance

• Accident & Critical Illness Insurance

• 403b - Retirement Plan

• Calm App for medication and mental health

• Gym membership discounts 

• Pet Insurance

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.