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Regional VFR Peer Engagement & Growth Specialist - New Jersey

Forge Health, Thorofare, NJ, United States


About us Forge Health is a mission‑driven outpatient mental health and substance‑use provider dedicated to providing the highest quality, affordable, and effective care to individuals, families, and communities in need. As the first and only behavioral healthcare provider with a proven, national payer‑validated ability to drive clinical outcomes across all areas of health, Forge Health is leading the charge in innovation, improving care delivery, and shaping the future of behavioral health care.

Who we’re looking for The Regional VFR Peer Engagement & Growth Specialist is a field‑based role for the state of New Jersey responsible for expanding access to behavioral health and substance‑use services for Veterans, First Responders, and their families. This position drives referrals into Intensive Outpatient (IOP), Outpatient (OP), and psychiatric services by developing and activating referral relationships across Veteran and public safety systems. The role also supports the development and coordination of peer‑based programming within the assigned region. This is not a traditional sales role; success requires building trust within Veteran and First Responder communities, understanding clinical pathways, and translating community relationships into consistent patient access and program utilization. The role operates with a high degree of autonomy and is responsible for managing and growing a defined geographic territory.

Compensation range $60‑100k. Total compensation includes base and bonus payouts; benefits and other company perks are not included. Compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

What you’ll be doing Referral Development and Market Growth

Drive consistent referral volume into IOP, OP, and psychiatric services within the assigned territory

Develop, activate, and maintain referral pipelines specific to Veteran and First Responder populations

Execute territory‑based outreach strategies aligned with regional growth targets

Improve referral‑to‑intake conversion through targeted partner education and follow‑through

Identify and prioritize high‑value referral sources and underserved access points

Strategic Partnership Development

Establish and maintain relationships with:

Veterans Affairs (VA) and Community Care Network (CCN) providers

Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs)

Police, Fire, and EMS departments and leadership

Peer support teams and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) programs

Hospitals, primary care providers, detox programs, and behavioral health organizations

State and county agencies serving Veterans and public safety personnel

Serve as a trusted resource on:

Behavioral health service access

Level‑of‑care placement (IOP, OP, psychiatric services)

Navigation of care systems and referral pathways

Community Engagement and Market Presence

Represent the organization within Veteran and First Responder communities

Participate in coalitions, regional initiatives, and public safety engagements

Plan and facilitate educational sessions, site visits, and outreach events

Maintain consistent visibility and credibility within assigned markets

Peer Programming Development and Support

Support development and coordination of peer‑based programming with clinical and operational leadership

Identify opportunities for embedded services, department‑based programming, and wellness initiatives

Align peer programming efforts with clinical care pathways and regional needs

Internal Collaboration and Market Intelligence

Collaborate with Clinical, Intake, Operations, and Marketing teams to improve access to care and remove referral barriers

Maintain accurate CRM documentation of outreach activity, referral pipelines, and partner engagement

Provide ongoing feedback regarding market conditions, referral trends, and growth opportunities

Support regional expansion initiatives and service line development

How you’ll be successful

Achieve defined monthly referral targets across Veteran, First Responder, and general behavioral health sources

Maintain target referral‑to‑intake conversion rates

Develop and sustain an active, engaged pipeline of referral partners (not passive relationships)

Demonstrate measurable growth in IOP and OP utilization within the assigned territory

Maintain consistent CRM documentation and pipeline visibility

What you’ll need

3–5+ years of experience in behavioral health, healthcare outreach, provider relations, or business development (preferred)

Experience working with or supporting Veterans, First Responders, or public safety systems strongly preferred

Knowledge of behavioral health services, including substance use and co‑occurring conditions

Ability to establish credibility with Veteran and First Responder communities, including public safety leadership and peer support teams

Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with clinical providers and organizational leadership (e.g., chiefs, command staff, administrators)

Strong communication, relationship‑building, and organizational skills

Experience with CRM systems or outreach tracking tools preferred

Experience working within or alongside public safety agencies, healthcare systems, or community‑based behavioral health programs preferred

Ability to work independently and manage a defined geographic territory

Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Why Forge? Our team refuses to compromise on integrity, and we look for talented, driven hard workers who share a passion for high‑quality, evidence‑based mental health and substance‑use care. Our core values are:

Fulfilling – create lives that are complete and self‑actualized, enabling stronger families and communities

Optimistic – our passion and empathy drive us through setbacks to success

Reciprocal – progress relies on mutual trust and commitment

Grateful – we appreciate the trust of our patients and the commitment of our clinicians

Evidence‑Based – we are committed to measurable outcomes and set a standard of care

The opportunity Our people are our greatest asset. We're collaborative, empathetic, and passionate. We learn from mistakes, carve out time to breathe, and celebrate wins. This comprehensive, competitive benefits package reflects our appreciation:

Competitive salary aligned with your experience

Comprehensive paid time off package

Annual time off to volunteer

Parental leave

Annual continuing education allocations

Competitive medical, dental, and vision package

Annual subscription to a leading meditation app

Environment that fosters professional development including financing for advanced licensure and certifications

Internal supervision opportunities

Dedicated and motivated team and chance to be part of a highly ambitious startup

Modern, elegant, and high‑end work environment

We are committed to equal employment opportunity. We give equal consideration to all applicants when filling positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, actual or perceived disability, genetic information, marital status, and/or any other status not related to an applicant’s ability to perform the job duties. All employment practices will be carried out in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. We will also fully comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA amendments Act (ADAAA). We will not discriminate against applicants or other individuals with real or perceived disabilities. When needed, we will provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified candidates so that they can perform the essential functions of the position.

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