PSYCHOLOGY DIRECTOR - 10202026-82075

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time10/20/2026 12:00AM Central TimeClosing Date/Time10/26/2026 11:59PM Central TimeSalary (Monthly)$9,956.00 - $12,973.00Salary (Annually)$119,472.00 - $155,676.00Job TypeFull-TimeCity, State LocationNashville, TNDepartmentMental Health and Substance Abuse Services

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This position is located at Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute

This is an on-site position.

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Possession of a doctorate in psychology or other acceptable area from an accredited university and experience equivalent to three years of work as a professional psychologist.

Necessary Special Qualifications: Licensure or a temporary permit as a psychologist with the State of Tennessee is required at the time of employment and must be maintained for the duration of the one-year probationary period; licensure as a psychologist with the State of Tennessee is required by the end of the probationary period.

Overview

Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute (MTMHI) seeks a Psychology Director with specialized expertise in Forensic Psychology to lead a department of psychologists providing forensic evaluations and clinical psychological services. This position requires a Doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD) from an accredited institution and current Tennessee licensure as a psychologist. This position combines departmental leadership with direct clinical responsibilities, emphasizing timely, thorough court-ordered evaluations, effective staff supervision, and collaboration with hospital leadership, courts, and legal teams.

Reporting to the Assistant Superintendent for Program Services, the Director oversees full-time staff, contracted psychologists, and doctoral-level interns, coordinates caseload assignments and coverage, provides peer-to-peer consultation on case reviews, ensures proper testing materials and supplies are on hand, maintains current continuing education as well as those under supervision, leads by example to ensure collaboration is occurring with all disciplines for best patient care, and ensures psychological services support patient care, hospital operations, and applicable professional, ethical, and regulatory standards.

The successful candidate will demonstrate advanced forensic assessment and report-writing skills, sound ethical and clinical judgment, and experience in Leadership and supervision. Strong communication, conflict management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the ability to balance complex hospital and clinical needs with departmental priorities are essential. This role offers an opportunity to strengthen forensic and clinical psychological services while supporting patient rights, quality care, and responsive hospital operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and mentor psychologists; monitor performance and support professional development, case consultation, and effective teamwork.
• Oversee and conduct court-ordered forensic evaluations, including competency to stand trial and mental condition at the time of the alleged offense; ensure reports and recommendations address court requirements and established deadlines.
• Provide expert testimony consistent with evaluation findings and clinical documentation.
• Manage forensic caseloads, monitor evaluation timelines, and collaborate on strategies to address the forensic waitlist and improve admission and evaluation processes.
• Maintain timely communication with the Forensic Services Program Director, treatment teams, hospital leadership, courts, and legal partners regarding findings, delays, and disposition recommendations.
• Oversee psychological testing, diagnostic assessments, clinical consultations, therapy, and competency training.
• Direct quality monitoring, corrective actions, departmental procedures, and compliance with applicable CMS, Joint Commission, hospital, and forensic standards.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies:

• Organizational Savvy
• Instills Trust
• Manages Complexity
• Strategic Mindset
• Optimizes Work Processes

Knowledge:

• Psychology
• Law and Government
• Therapy and Counseling
• Administration and Management
• Personnel and Human Resources

Skills:

• Critical Thinking
• Complex Problem Solving
• Speaking
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Social Perceptiveness

Abilities:

• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Written Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Speech Recognition

Tools & Equipment

• Computer
• Telephone
• Printer/Copier/Scanner/Fax Machine

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.