Vice President, Emergency Psychiatric 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: Vice President of Emergency Psychiatric Services

Department: Emergency Psychiatric Services (EPS)

Reports to: COO

Location: On site Nashville, TN (Metro area)

Status: Full-time

Position Summary:  The VP provides strategic leadership to all Emergency Psychiatric Services (EPS) programs, ensures compliance with regulatory and contractual requirements, and fosters strong collaboration with internal and external partners to support MHC’s mission and long-term organizational objectives.

Position Responsibilities: 

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Provide executive oversight for all operations of EPS
• Ensure consistent implementation of operating procedures and alignment of clinical programs with organizational strategy.
• Ensure all services meet or exceed contractual requirements, program goals, quality targets, and regulatory standards.
• Lead cross-functional efforts at the strategic planning level to identify operational issues, develop solutions, and implement system-wide improvements that enhance efficiency, consumer outcomes, and service sustainability.  Support and enable leadership and associates in executing to achieve goals.
• Develop and execute long-term sustainability and growth plans for specialized clinical services.
• Lead the development of strategic initiatives for Clinical Services in collaboration with senior leadership.

Clinical Quality, Innovation & Compliance

• Establish and oversee quality improvement (QI) systems, ensuring ongoing monitoring, analysis, and enhancement of program performance.
• Ensure teams are delivering timely completion of all required documentation, reporting, and clinical procedures as dictated by payors, licensing bodies, and accreditation standards.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with licensing requirements, Joint Commission standards, HIPAA, OSHA, and all corporate policies.

People Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build and sustain a high-performing clinical workforce through strategic hiring, onboarding, training, supervision, and talent development.
• Direct staff meetings and professional development initiatives to support clinical excellence.
• Coordinate with Human Resources and Compliance regarding performance appraisals, credentialing, hiring, corrective action, and workforce planning.
• Ensure adequate staffing and clinical coverage across all programs.

Collaboration & External Partnerships

• Cultivate and maintain productive working relationships with community agencies, hospitals, law enforcement partners, Managed Care Organizations, Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Mental Health, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent MHC in external meetings, collaborative initiatives, and strategic partnerships supporting organizational goals.

Fiscal Management

• Oversee departmental budgets, ensuring clinical operations are delivered within approved financial parameters.
• Identify opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and resource utilization across programs.

Additional Executive Responsibilities

• Provide leadership during crises and participate in on-call activities as required.
• Ensure timely responses to grievances, complaints, and inquiries from the Advocacy Director and other internal/external stakeholders.
• Lead special projects and ensure policies and procedures remain current and effectively implemented.
• Serve as a role model for MHC’s mission, values, and culture, providing leadership through example, mentorship, and expertise.
• Perform other executive-level duties as assigned.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Master’s degree and valid license in social work, psychology or other closely related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years supervisory and leadership at the strategic level experience within behavioral health or clinical operations.

Essential Requirements for the Position:

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

Core Competencies:

·       Demonstrates executive presence and leads with confidence and clarity.

·       Able to take decisive action, including unpopular decisions when required.

·       Skilled at facilitating constructive debate and driving alignment.

·       Trusted in crisis situations; maintains stability, poise, and direction under pressure.

·       Navigates complex political and organizational dynamics with tact and insight.

·       Anticipates obstacles, identifies strategic risks, and plans accordingly.

·       Resilient, composed, and effective during periods of adversity and rapid change.

·       Intellectually agile; synthesizes complex information and makes informed decisions.

Joint Commission Competencies:

Ensure EPS programs:

·       Demonstrate strong consumer engagement and therapeutic communication.

·       Are competent in suicide-specific crisis assessment, including C-SSRS and clinical disposition.

·       Communicate professionally and ensure continuity of care during crisis assessments.

·       Effectively utilize de-escalation techniques, therapeutic interventions, and restraint procedures when required.

·       Complete all clinical documentation—Crisis Management System and otherwise—within required timelines.

·       Provide evidence-informed care related to substance use disorders, children, and youth.

·       Employ least restrictive alternatives and exercises sound clinical judgment.

·       Respond to Crisis Triages within required timeframes and completes referral processes efficiently.

Reporting to this Position:

• Program Manager, Crisis
• Director of Nursing
• Director of Co-Response
• Admin Manager EPS

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 accommodation 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 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. 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.