Care Coordinator, 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

Job Title: Care Coordinator, Behavioral Care Center (BCC)

FLSA Status : Non-Exempt

Department: Judicial Services

Reports to: Program Manager, Behavioral Care Center

Position Summary:

The Care Coordinator supports discharge planning efforts at the Behavioral Care Center (BCC), a 60-bed residential mental health treatment facility located in the Davidson County Downtown Detention Center. This role focuses on assessing residents' housing needs, identifying appropriate community-based options, and cultivating relationships with local providers to ensure safe and sustainable transitions post-treatment. The Care Coordinator works closely with the Discharge Specialist, clinical team, and external agencies to promote continuity of care and successful reintegration into the community.

Position Responsibilities:

• Conduct housing and social needs assessments within 48 hours of admission for all assigned residents.
• Identify, coordinate, and secure appropriate housing and community-based resources to support individualized discharge plans.
• Maintain strong working relationships with local housing providers, shelters, transitional living programs, and community organizations.
• Collaborate with the BCC Discharge Specialist, clinicians, and interdisciplinary team to develop comprehensive, person-centered discharge plans.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, providing care coordination updates and ensuring alignment of resident needs.
• Provide follow-up support post-discharge to ensure linkage to services and promote continuity of care.
• Document all care coordination activities, referrals, and discharge actions accurately and timely in accordance with agency, contract, and HIPAA requirements.
• Advocate for residents' housing stability, access to essential services, and removal of systemic barriers impacting reentry success.

Cross-Coverage & Additional Duties – DCSO (Detention Centers)

• Serve as a flexible resource to support high-volume periods, staffing shortages, or emergent needs across BCC and DCSO.
• Assist the Discharge Planning team at DCSO by completing housing/resource assessments for individuals preparing for release when needed.
• Coordinate with DCSO clinical and custody partners to support timely transition planning and case handoff.
• Provide onsite or virtual support for release coordination, including linkage to outpatient treatment, housing programs, and community agencies.
• Participate in discharge meetings, case staffing, or collaborative planning sessions with DCSO partners.
• Support data collection, reporting, and workflow documentation related to discharge planning activity at the detention center.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of housing resources, community-based services, and behavioral health systems.
• Ability to build rapport, communicate effectively, and engage diverse populations, including individuals with behavioral health needs and justice involvement.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and manage time effectively.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-focused in fast-paced or high-pressure environments.
• Proficient in documentation, electronic health records, and collaborative communication.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, person-centered, and culturally responsive care.

Experience & Education

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Experience in behavioral health, residential treatment, care coordination, or reentry/discharge planning strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of justice-involved populations or experience working in correctional settings is a plus.

Work Environment

• Primary work location at the Behavioral Care Center (BCC), with routine or as-needed support at the Downtown Detention Center.
• Requires ability to work within secure facilities and adhere to all safety, security, and confidentiality protocols.
• Some community travel may be required for coordination with housing and service providers.

Other Responsibilities:

• Attend all mandatory in-services, continuing education, and annual health requirements.
• Comply with all Corporate Compliance, OSHA, and HIPAA policies.
• Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and agency goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Provide leadership through example and sharing of knowledge/skill.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
• Licensed or license-eligible in Tennessee (LCSW, LPC-MHSP, LMFT, etc.).
• Minimum 2 years of clinical experience, preferably in correctional or residential settings.
• Experience in team coordination or leadership preferred.

Essential Requirements for the Position:

• Valid Tennessee Driver's License.
• Acceptable Motor Vehicle Report (MVR).
• Acceptable Criminal Background Investigation.
• Personal Automobile Insurance.

Core Competencies:

• Leadership and team-building skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to prioritize and remain calm in crisis situations.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing needs.
• Commitment to trauma-informed and recovery-oriented care

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 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. 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.

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