Clinical Operations Leadership

At firsthand, we’re not looking for just Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants; we’re seeking Health Guides— compassionate advocates ready to reshape society's approach towards supporting individuals living with serious mental illness (SMI).

Our vision extends beyond traditional healthcare. We are fostering a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to wellness that integrates peer recovery, social services, and clinical excellence.

The Health Guide role is unique, bridging the gap between medical care and life-changing support. We ensure our clients not only receive outstanding holistic treatment but also walk a path toward recovery hand-in-hand with a team who truly cares.

If you are deeply empathetic, skilled in both behavioral and physical healthcare, and passionate about making a tangible difference in the lives of those most in need, then you have the qualities we value.

Your expertise and empathy can be the pillars of support that many of our individuals need and deserve. Join us in this vital work, as we strive to make mental health care more inclusive, compassionate, and effective for all.

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Our Mission

Build and scale a world-class team dedicated to delivering life-changing outcomes to individuals living with serious mental and physical illnesses.

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Our Vision

A world where individuals living with serious mental and physical illnesses live their best possible lives.

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Our Values

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Individuals at the Center

We always do the right thing and go the extra mile for the individuals we serve, prioritizing their well-being above all else.






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Bias Toward Action

We all take many small steps to stride towards our vision. We are quick to ask for help and to begin wading into new and often unfamiliar territory, knowing that our team has our back.


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Seek Understanding and Remain Teachable

We assume positive intent and we lead with curiosity. All questions are welcome; we love to learn, whether about one another or ourselves.


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Serious Fun

We work hard on an important mission, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We sprinkle fun in as much as possible!


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Deliver Value

Our customers’ endorsement, support and success enables us to further our mission.



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Candor and Kindness

We have an obligation to give timely, direct feedback - delivered with care for our colleagues. We sometimes disagree, but we work through our differences and grow together.

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Benefits include:

  • Up to 20 days vacation annually

  • 12 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays

  • Fully paid parental leave of 16 weeks

  • Generous sick & wellness leave

  • 401(k) match of up to 4% of your salary

  • Numerous healthcare options

  • Free, unlimited telehealth & talk therapy

  • Annual personal development stipend

  • Annual bonus potential

Open Jobs

Health Guide Testimonials:

  • "Working at firsthand as a Health Guide has allowed me to help our individuals, who are affected by serious mental illness and complex medical problems, improve their access to care, health outcomes, and quality of life.

    Our mission resonates throughout our entire team and gives a greater sense of purpose to our clinicians, like me, who often have difficulty achieving these goals in other service models.

    firsthand also gives me the freedom and autonomy to find and implement the best processes that work clinically. This care model allows the accommodation of my personal work style and provides a flexible environment to help our individuals achieve a healthier lifestyle. firsthand excels in not only helping a vulnerable population improve their quality of life but also affords me the opportunity to grow as a clinician and leader.”

    -Adam, Senior Health Guide in Nashville, TN

  • "Working as a health guide for firsthand allows me the opportunity to integrate both expertise and compassion in my care for individuals navigating the challenging healthcare landscape while living with severe mental illness.

    Each day I have the privilege to not only promote health and wellness, but to deep dive into the goals and backgrounds of each individual to provide a truly personalized approach focused on their unique health goals. firsthand has taught me the value of providing holistic, empathetic care and the joy of supporting a population that is often overlooked and undervalued.”

    -Hannah, TN Clinical Director & Former Heath Guide

  • "As a Health Guide at firsthand, you have an opportunity, everyday, to make a huge difference in the lives of some of the most vulnerable individuals in your community.

    Our individuals are usually very complex, both medically and socially, and have been disconnected from healthcare for years.

    Every day is a new challenge. As a Health Guide, I am not trying to replace primary care or specialty providers, but instead I am here to spend the time needed to truly listen to their needs and fill in the gaps that are currently unaddressed. I also want to ensure they fully understand their diagnosis and treatment plan and can make changes when needed.

    The ultimate goal is to re-engage them with their current primary care provider or find them one they will trust and feel comfortable seeing on a routine basis.”

    -Logan, Senior Health Guide, Johnson City, TN

  • "Every new job is like a journey to an unknown destination is sometimes shrouded in mystery and mixed feelings.

    There is anxiety, a bit of fear, nervousness, what to expect, would it be a good fit and a host of other emotional concerns. Since I graduated as a Family Nurse Practitioner, I have worked with five organizations, firsthand being the sixth. At each point, I had those concerns, firsthand not being an exception.

    Of them all, firsthand has stood out. firsthand incorporates work with social activities, interactions and fun times, planned and organized at different layers of the organization all year round. These are occasions for employees to socialize, relax and de-stress. They enhance team building, organizational relationships and friendships.”

    -Wanda, Health Guide- Canton, OH

  • "Working at firsthand is an experience like no other. We have a very unique care model- our priority is focused on keeping individuals at the center and delivering quality care.

    As a Healthcare Provider, I’ve never felt as close of a connection with the individuals I serve as I do now. Each day brings new challenges, but we find a way to work through them and ensure our individuals know that we will be with them through those challenges.”

    -Alfe, Senior Health Guide- Memphis, TN

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Badge indicating the recipient as one of the best places to work in 2024, for modern healthcare, with a previous winning year of 2023-2024.
Digital Health 100, Digital Health New York
A circular badge with the text 'The Badge Shall Seal for Workplace Mental Health' around the border and a white mental health awareness ribbon in the center. The logo of Mental Health America (MHA) is within the ribbon, with the words 'Mental Health America' underneath. Below the badge, the text reads '2024 Platinum'.
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The New York Digital Health 100 (DH100) celebrates the most innovative and exciting health start ups in the New York area.

DH100 Awarded

Platinum Bell Seal

Mental Health America’s top recognition of Workplace Mental Health