HPC Behavioral Health Workforce Center - Graduate Social Work Advanced Field Placement

Graduate Social Work (MSW) Advanced Field Placement Opportunity

2025-2026 Academic Year

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) seeks a graduate social work (MSW) student to support the newly established Behavioral Health Workforce Center (BHWC) as their Advanced Field Placement for the 2025-2026 academic year. The HPC is an independent state agency on the forefront of health care policy and cost containment in Massachusetts. This is an exciting opportunity to join a new team that is analyzing and monitoring the behavioral health workforce in Massachusetts, as directed by the Massachusetts Legislature and in partnership with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). Under the supervision of the BHWC’s Associate Director and Director, the student will collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team and build valuable skills needed to conduct research, engage cross-sector stakeholders, develop data-informed policy recommendations and navigate the Commonwealth’s behavioral health care delivery system.

Mission of the Behavioral Health Workforce Center

The BHWC is supporting state-wide efforts to achieve a unified vision for the Commonwealth’s behavioral health workforce. The BHWC will conduct research, consult with subject-matter experts, and engage with community and system-level stakeholders to make data-informed policy recommendations to strengthen the behavioral health workforce in Massachusetts and develop actionable, evidence-based strategies to: ​

• Build equitable education and training pipelines, ​
• Improve workforce diversity and cultural competency, ​
• Enhance professional pathways, and ​
• Retain behavioral health providers within settings and communities that are accessible to all residents.

Internship Scope and Expectations

The successful candidate will have relevant basic knowledge of behavioral health care delivery, payment, policy, and systems in Massachusetts, and a passion for continuous learning about these topics. 

Possible projects and areas for learning may include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting literature reviews and/or environmental scans to understand the breadth of behavioral health provider types, settings, experiences, training, licensure/credentialing, professional development, funding, and other aspects of behavioral health care delivery in the Commonwealth;
• Contributing to the advancement of our behavioral health research and policy agenda with a focus on unique populations and historically underserved communities;
• Drafting data-informed presentations, memos, and issue briefs, with the intent of informing actionable policy recommendations;
• Communicating research findings and project outcomes succinctly to a variety of audiences;
• Collaborating with or shadowing other staff within the BHWC and across the agency, in addition to external partners;
• Learning about the policymaking process, MA state government agencies, legislative sessions, and tools and processes for engaging with policymakers;
• Identifying macro social work career pathways, professional development opportunities, networking, and amplifying the value of social workers in the health policy field;
• Providing administrative support related to the production and dissemination of BHWC deliverables and related events; and
• Supporting other projects and initiatives of the BHWC that may arise.

Requirements and Qualifications

Requirements:

Applicants should be eligible to complete their MSW Advanced Field Placement from September 2025 – May 2026. Highly motivated students seeking their Foundation Field Placement may be considered, if able to demonstrate relevant experience and qualifications.

Applicants must submit a cover letter detailing their relevant knowledge and experience, as well as their interest in supporting the work of the Behavioral Health Workforce Center. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered. 

Applicants will be required to provide three references during the interview process using a form provided by the HPC, and also sign a contract regarding the obligations of the placement. The successful candidate will be required to complete a background check and all required trainings for temporary Commonwealth contract employees.

Desired Qualifications:

• Proficiency using the Microsoft Office suite, including PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and related programs;
• Exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving skills and the ability to approach all tasks through a health equity lens;
• Prior experience working in a clinical or macro behavioral health role in Massachusetts;
• Familiarity with commercial and public payors, value-based payment models, and behavioral health parity policies;
• Knowledge of barriers and challenges related to behavioral health access, equity, and quality for individuals seeking care and providers;
• Demonstrated team player with experience working collaboratively to accomplish goals;.
• The ability to be flexible and adapt to shifting priorities, requests, and deadlines;
• Excellent organizational skills and keen attention to detail; able to advance projects with limited oversight;
• Experience managing multiple projects at once and working to a timeline;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Experience communicating effectively with managers and peers and using supervision effectively to solve problems; and
• A dedication to public service and a desire to advance a more transparent, accountable, and equitable health care system for all Massachusetts residents.

Compensation and Schedule

The position will be compensated at a rate of $25 per hour with an expected schedule of three full days per week (24 hours). The requirement for the completion of this field placement is 720 hours between September 2025 and May 2026. 

The HPC operates a hybrid work schedule, with employees splitting their time between the downtown Boston office and remote work. The student will need to complete their work on a consistent schedule during the HPC’s business hours of 9:00am – 5:00pm over three days, which can be selected by the student, with a strong preference for completing all hours between Monday and Thursday each week.

Our Commitment

The HPC is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity. We recognize that diversity in the workplace is a source of strength, vital to its ability to effectively advance its mission.  The HPC is committed to:

• Actively promoting diversity in our workforce, including greater racial and ethnic diversity, at all levels of the organization;
• Fostering a work environment in which all employees are inspired to do their best, strengthened by their different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences;
• Ensuring that no employee’s growth, achievement, or advancement is hindered because of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, genetic information, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or disability;
• Holding ourselves to a high standard of inclusion and opportunity that will serve as a model for other public and private employers throughout the Commonwealth;
• Promoting our core values of equal opportunity, equal justice, and inclusion in HPC actions and initiatives.

Salary : $25