Mental Health Specialist at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee

Job Description:

The Mental Health Specialist will assist Program Manager or Program Director in carrying out the clinical service plan for their assigned program. This will include providing and supervising individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and advocacy for assigned clients. The Mental Health Specialist will ensure that clinical services are provided according to program structure and schedule.



Daily Operations

• Provide clinical services (such as group therapy and individual counseling) utilizing best practices such as the Hazelton Curriculum for group and CBT for individual, while providing behavioral and therapeutic structure. Provide documentation of clinical services provided in accordance with agency standards.


• Attend all appropriate client care conferences and staff meetings to include but not limited to participation in treatment team meetings in order to give and receive client condition reports.


• Attend all appropriate client care conferences and staff meetings to include but not limited to participation in treatment team meetings in order to give and receive client condition reports.


• Maintain a functional knowledge of best practices for service delivery that are trauma-informed, client-centered, and goal-oriented such as Motivational Interviewing. Participate in in person and electronic training as required.


• Monitor and supervise clients in the absence of the Mental Health Technician. Responsible for appropriately intervening and/or reporting program violations as they occur.


• Maintain, and practice skills regarding sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds of clients and others contacted in carrying out job responsibilities. Be courteous tactful and discrete when relating to clients, staff, partners and other stakeholders.


• Adhere to the guidelines provided in both Elam Center and Meharry Medical Colleges Policy and Procedures. Performs other related duties as assigned.

• A comprehensive knowledge of substance abuse treatment.


• Ability to interact effectively with staff, clients, agencies, etc.


• Demonstrated effective clinical skills.


• Must be on call for emergencies twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.


• Must have a valid Tennessee Driver's License and vehicle to facilitate local travel between the Elam Center and business related agencies.

• M.A. or M.S. in the Social Services Field with a minimum of one years' experience providing clinical services to persons experiencing mental illness or substance abuse.