Behavioral Health Clinician

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are:
Since 1985, BHCHP’s mission has been to ensure unconditionally equitable and dignified access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in greater Boston. Over 10,000 homeless individuals are cared for by Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program each year. We are committed to ensuring that every one of these individuals has access to comprehensive health care, from preventative dental care to cancer treatment. Our clinicians, case managers, and behavioral health professionals work in more than 30 locations to serve some of our community’s most vulnerable—and most resilient—citizens.

From our earliest days as a program, we have always sought to do work that is transformational: recognizing our shared humanity; centering dignity, compassion, mutual respect and supporting the right of every individual to access the highest levels of health care and every staff member to reach their fullest potential. We continue to be committed to building bridges and breaking down barriers, including systemic racism which harms us all. We provide community-based health care services that are compassionate, dignified, and culturally appropriate, incorporating social determinants of health, with the goal of breaking down the physical and systemic barriers that our patients face.

Job Summary:
***NOW OFFERING A $4,000 SIGN ON BONUS***
Hours: Full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday-Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Union: None
Union Name: None
Patient Facing: Yes

The Behavioral Health (BH) Clinician will be an integral part of a multidisciplinary team within our RISE (Reentry Initiatives for Support and Empowerment) program working with homeless, incarcerated individuals in Suffolk County. BHCHP has partnered with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department (SCSD) at two county jails to outreach to this population. This program aims to engage this population prior to release, to connect with external Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) partners to improve transitions of care for these individuals upon release, and ultimately to improve outcomes related to drug use in this population who are at a particularly high-risk of fatal overdose upon release. This support occurs prior to release, on the day of release, and in the post-release period.

The purpose of this position is to provide ongoing assessment, intakes, evaluations, and support services to a panel of patients eligible for RISE team services within BHCHP. This clinician will also provide group and/or individual therapy directly inside the correctional facilities and remotely as needed. Currently, this position facilitates two groups per week inside the correctional facility and manages all documentation and administrative components of those groups. The clinician will provide expertise to providers and others regarding the treatment plan in conjunction with the medical needs of these patients. This clinician will also collaborate with team members and the patient in making outside referrals.

This position sits at our 33 Bradston Street location and will also provide services at our main clinic located at 780 Albany Street and both correctional facilities as needed. The ability to work across several sites is necessary for this role. Applicants proficient in both English and Spanish are encouraged to apply.

This full-time position is funded until the end of February 2027 with the possibility for renewal. If this funding is not renewed, this full-time position will end February 28, 2027.

Responsibilities:

• Provides patients with an overview of all behavioral health services at BHCHP including Open Access, ongoing therapy, and psychiatric services.
• Reviews pathway to psychiatric services at BHCHP as needed. When appropriate, complete behavioral health intakes to facilitate access to psychiatric care at BHCHP.
• Meets the needs of those seeking therapy, offer regular (weekly/bi-weekly) sessions or refer to other therapists within BHCHP as appropriate.
• Facilitates and/or co-facilitates weekly recovery support group(s) at the two correctional facilities listed above.
• Provides leadership in assisting the reentry support team staff with problem solving behavioral health concerns and/or psychiatric emergencies.
• Collaborates, communicates and meets with the BHCHP teams as needed.
• Maintains frequent contact with patients’ medical providers to provide comprehensive care.
• Makes referrals to outside addiction treatment programs or other supports as needed.
• Maintains collateral contacts to coordinate care.
• Provides ongoing education and support for patients.
• Provides follow-up care in person and via telehealth when needed.
• Completes appropriate documentation with excellent record keeping done in a timely fashion.
• Obtains billing authorizations in a timely fashion.
• Provides documentation for grants, projects, etc. as directed by supervisor.
• Undertake projects and assignments as required.
• Participates in intra-agency committee(s).
• Meets with senior staff for clinical supervision as needed.
• Attends weekly treatment team meetings.
• Attends clinic staff meetings as scheduled.
• LICSW provides supervision to unlicensed clinicians as needed.
• Obtains clearance to enter Suffolk County Sheriff's Department correctional facilities as a contractor within six months of hire.

Qualifications:

• Must be licensed LMHC or LICSW or must obtain license within 18 months (for LCSW) or 42 months (for MHC) of hire date.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of an interdisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, and care coordinators.
• Knowledge of overdose prevention strategies or willingness to be trained to become expert in these topics.
• Fluency in Spanish will be a strong asset for this role and bilingual applicants are especially encouraged to apply.
• Ability to lead group conversations and facilitate group support.
• Knowledge of healthy and appropriate boundaries when working with vulnerable populations.
• An understanding the criminal justice system and how it is rooted in racism and oppression.
• Experience working with individuals facing homelessness, incarceration, mental illness, and substance use disorders.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with excellent communication skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work with patients with dual or multiple disorders who also have complex medical and social issues.
• Effective verbal, written and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with providers and team members form various settings.
• Life support training certification (e.g., CPR, BLS, ACLS) from a course that includes a hands-on, in-person component. If not certified prior to the start date, applicant must submit certification within 90 days of the start date.

Compensation and Benefits:
***NOW OFFERING A $4,000 SIGN ON BONUS***

• The compensation increases based on years of experience and ranges from $66,000 - $105,600 annually.
• BHCHP full time employees are eligible for our competitive time off program, health, dental and vision insurance, 403B retirement savings plan, pre-tax MBTA pass program with 40% discount, additional compensation for demonstrated bilingual proficiency and more. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

Does this amazing opportunity interest you? Then we'd love to hear from you.

As an equal opportunity employer, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Covid-19 Vaccination: Proof of Covid-19 vaccination(s) is optional for employment. Candidates who are offered employment will be given details about how to demonstrate receipt of vaccination if they choose to.

Please Note: Employment at Boston Health Care for the Homeless is at-will. Boston Health Care for the Homeless does not sponsor work authorization visas.

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