Mental Health Clinician, SSG Fox SPGP

Position Title: Mental Health Clinician, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program

Department: Human Services

Reports to: Program Director, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program

Exemption: Non-exempt

Pay Range: $70-75k, sign on bonus eligibility

Job Summary: NECHV has been awarded Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP) from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and seeks an experienced Mental Health Clinician to identify, enroll, and support Veterans in the program. The clinician will facilitate nontraditional groups, recreational and outdoor activities while ensuring compliance with all grant requirements, including screenings and documentation.

NECHVs SSG Fox SPGP will provide community-based suicide prevention services to 200 Veterans and their families in Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex, Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk counties in Massachusetts and Rockingham and Hillsborough counties in New Hampshire.

Job Responsibilities:

- Work with the NECHV Outreach Team and Peer Support Specialists to outreach, identify and enroll Veterans in the SSG Fox SPGP.

- Confirm eligibility under the SSG Fox SPGP Program Guide, administer the Columbia–Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), and make referrals for follow-up services as needed.

- Complete baseline screening tools, suicide prevention plans, and Individualized Service Plans (ISPs) with Veterans and other team members as needed.

- Coordinate and facilitate nontraditional groups and activities that engage Veterans at high risk for suicide, build peer support, reduce social isolation, and foster connection. Activities may include art groups, video game events, recreational and outdoor programs.

- Develop and maintain a monthly calendar of groups and activities and promote it widely throughout the service region.

- Lead clinical communication and coordination with the VA, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP), and community-based providers to ensure continuity and quality of care.

- Provide direct crisis intervention and clinical services during emergencies until the Veteran is connected with another clinical partner or provider.

- Collaborate with NECHV team members, community partners, and stakeholders to promote the program, conduct outreach, and establish referral pathways.

- Partner with the SSG Fox SPGP Quality Assurance Specialist to ensure screenings, outcomes, and data collection are complete, accurate, timely, streamlined, and compliant with agency and funder requirements.

- Provide education, training and subject matter expertise on suicide risk and prevention strategies, as needed.

- Attend department and team meetings, trainings, case conferences, and individual supervision.

- Perform other duties as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

- Masters degree in social work or mental health counseling; licensure preferred.

- One to three years of experience providing direct services to vulnerable populations, including people who have experienced homelessness, have limited economic resources, have mental health or substance use disorders or trauma histories, or have been involved with the justice system.

- Outreach experience engaging individuals in nonclinical, community-based settings is strongly preferred.

- Experience supporting individuals at risk of suicide.

- Experience with group facilitation.

- Experience administering validated suicide risk scales and screening tools is strongly preferred.

- Comfort providing education and training on suicide prevention.

- Strong assessment and crisis intervention skills.

- Experience with motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care.

Essential Functions:

- Valid drivers license.

- Ability to travel throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire and work from NECHVs Boston and Merrimack Valley offices as needed.

- Comfortable traveling in the community and outreaching Veterans in non-traditional and non-clinical/office-based settings.

- Ability to plan, coordinate and facilitate nontraditional groups and activities.

- Experience and familiarity with the Veteran population is a plus.

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and databases.

- Strong written and oral communication skills.

- Ability to work with complex, at-risk Veteran populations.

- Ability to maintain strong personal and professional boundaries.