Part Time Shelter Clinician

Agency Background

Mercy First is a not-for‑profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life‑changing interventions.

We provide community‑based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short‑term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, Mercy First serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re‑imagine their futures and develop their full potential.

Syosset, NY

Lead Clinician

START Refugee Services

Part Time/ 17.5 hours weekly

The children in our START with Hope program are in the U.S. as children whose parents/guardians are not physically with them. Many of our children have fled dangerous and violent situations in their own home countries, including but not limited to Central and South America. Most of our children have suffered devastating losses through trauma, violence, abandonment, poverty, substance abuses, or abuse.

The children’s safety, nutritional, medical, emotional health and education are our top priorities.

This position is responsible for providing clinical services to our unaccompanied minors (UAC). Individual and group modalities. Conduct mental health assessments for children. Screen for human trafficking concerns, trauma and substance abuse. Provide crisis intervention.

All employment at Mercy First under the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is contingent upon successfully completing all onboarding and background check requirements in addition to completing ORR’s suitability process.

ORR requires all candidates and employees to show proof of immunity to vaccine‑preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route if working directly with children, including Varicella, MMK (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) DTaP or DTap, and Influenza.

Funding source for this position requires proof of certain vaccines (MMR, Varicella, and DTap). The MMR is for measles, mumps and rubella. The Varicella is for chicken pox. And the DTap is for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). If you do not have proof of these vaccines, you can opt to be re‑vaccinated or to take "titer" tests. Titer tests are simple blood tests that determine if you have enough antibodies in your immune system to still possess their protection or if you need booster vaccines.

If you do not have proof of vaccinations, you can look at this website for tips on how to locate your records: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/immunization/_immun_records.htm#

• Masters of Social Work Degree and NYS Licensure as a Social Worker (LMSW). Must be bilingual in Spanish and English. Two years’ experience.
• Good Communication, both verbal and written
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, core values, Sanctuary Commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and social justice.

• Provide mental health assessments, individual, and group counseling sessions to UAC. Weekly individual counseling sessions with UAC must be conducted with the specific objective of reviewing the child’s progress, establishing new short‑term and long‑term objectives, and addressing both the developmental and crisis‑related needs of each child.
• Ensure clinical documentation in UAC portal are…