Clinician

Shelter Based Clinician

Father Bill's & MainSpring is committed to ending and preventing homelessness in Southern Massachusetts with programs that provide emergency and permanent housing and help people obtain skills, jobs, housing, and services. We help people who are struggling with homelessness or are at risk of homelessness to achieve self-sufficiency.

Father Bill's & MainSpring is a growing and dynamic social service agency with particular expertise in emergency and permanent housing, job training and placement, and prevention services for individuals and families in need. Over the next five years, our strategic focus includes an increase in affordable, permanent supportive housing, a more efficient model of care for families experiencing homelessness, commitment to an enhanced delivery model to reduce the need for shelter, and improved community relations in order to achieve these goals. Our staff are thoughtful and caring individuals who share our passion for these ideals and creative approaches to helping people improve their lives.

We offer a generous benefits package and a comprehensive orientation and training program, as well as ample opportunities for advancement for qualified individuals who show a commitment to our mission.

The Shelter-Based Clinician (LMFT, LCSW, or LICSW) provides on-site clinical services within the shelter system to support individuals experiencing homelessness. This role delivers direct mental health support, crisis intervention, and clinical consultation to both guests and staff.

The Clinician plays a key role in bridging gaps between shelter operations, rehousing services, behavioral health care, and crisis stabilization. This position enhances the organization's capacity to respond to complex needs, including co-occurring mental health, substance use, and medical challenges.

Requirements:

• Master's degree in Social Work or related field required
• Licensure (LMFT or LCSW required, LICSW preferred)
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or similar high-acuity populations
• Strong crisis intervention, assessment, and de-escalation skills
• Experience with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders

Essential Responsibilities:

• Respond to behavioral health crises in real time, supporting staff with de-escalation and guest stabilization
• Conduct crisis risk assessments, safety planning, and clinical evaluations
• Provide immediate clinical consultation to staff managing high-risk or complex situations
• Provide individual clinical support to guests, including those transitioning to and from psychiatric care and substance use programs
• Complete biopsychosocial assessments to support referrals to higher levels of care
• Develop and maintain treatment plans for applicable programs (e.g., CSP-HI participants)
• Collaborate with outpatient providers, hospitals, DMH, detox programs, and other treatment partners
• Support continuity of care across systems, ensuring smooth transitions for guests between services
• Serve as a key point of contact for guests with the highest clinical and housing needs
• Assist guests in applying for and navigating benefits and entitlement systems, including:
• DMH services
• SSI/SSDI
• Other public assistance programs
• Support completion of disability-related documentation and applications
• Prepare CoC Disability Verification Forms for LICSW review and approval
• Complete clinical and program-related assessments, including:
• Disability documentation
• Risk assessments
• Clinical notes and required program documentation
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical records
• Support enhanced documentation expectations for programs such as CSP-HI Provide enhanced engagement and follow-up for:
• Guests with extended lengths of stay
• Individuals with high vulnerability scores (e.g., VI-SPDAT)
• Add an additional layer of clinical support to complement case management and housing efforts
• Provide additional clinical support to individuals in housing as needed

Skills & Competencies:

• Empathy: An understanding and empathy for those dealing with homelessness and related issues.
• Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations and demonstrates group presentation skills effectively communicating the mission and goals of FBMS to volunteers, donors and other constituents.
• Record-Keeping: Routine clerical or record-keeping incidental to the essential responsibilities of the job.
• Job Knowledge: Possesses the practical and technical knowledge required on the job.
• Attendance: Acceptable overall attendance record, consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Reliability: Relied upon regarding task completion and follow-up.
• Initiative: Seeks out new assignments and assumes additional duties when necessary.
• Adherence to Policy: Follows safety and conduct rules, regulations, processes and adheres to company policies.
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates ability to cooperate, work and communicate with co-workers, supervisors, subordinates and outside contacts. Demonstrates strong customer service skills.

Other:

• Safety & Security: Actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.
• Travel: Local travel may be required. Valid driver's license and good driving record required.
• Physical Demands: The demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. May require moving or lifting items weighing up to 20 pounds across office for various needs. The person in this position needs to move about inside the building to access file cabinets, office machinery, conduct inspections etc.
• Must be able to verbally convey detailed information or important instructions or ideas accurately or quickly. Must be able to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information. Average visual acuity is necessary.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Other duties as assigned may be part of the job.

Father Bill's & MainSpring is an equal opportunity employer.