Behavioral Health Clinician I (Pre-licensed ACSW/AMFT/APCC) (Crisis Walk In)

Location: Indio, CA (onsite).

About the role

Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is a national multidisciplinary health organization that designs and delivers integrated, community-based care for populations most impacted by health inequities. We provide medical care, behavioral health services, substance use treatment, harm reduction, and care coordination in nontraditional settings such as encampments, schools, reentry sites, rural communities, and sovereign tribal nations. Grounded in trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and data-driven practices, WEA combines clinical expertise, lived experience, and advanced population health analytics to reduce barriers to care, improve continuity, and strengthen local systems.

The Indio Crisis Walk-In (CWI) Center, located on the behavioral health campus of Riverside University Health System in Indio, CA, offers 24/7 walk-in, voluntary crisis services for adults and children ages 5 and older. Designed to provide immediate, accessible care, the center serves up to 20 patients at a time, including both youth and adults.

The Behavioral Health Clinician I (Pre-licensed Associate ACSW/AMFT/APCC) serves as a frontline clinician within WEA’s Indio Crisis Walk-In Center, providing rapid assessment, crisis intervention, and short-term stabilization services for youth, adults, and families experiencing acute behavioral health needs. This role focuses on helping individuals stabilize quickly, engage natural and community supports, and transition safely to ongoing care. Clinicians work in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment and support individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges.

Responsibilities

• Conduct timely, comprehensive behavioral health assessments for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
• Perform suicide and safety risk assessment and planning to ensure appropriate and safe care and discharge.
• Provide crisis counseling, emotional support, and developmentally appropriate therapeutic interventions.
• Support rapid stabilization through short-term, solution-focused care approaches.
• Monitor client progress during the stabilization period and adjust interventions as needed.
• Engage family members and caregivers to promote safety, stabilization, and continuity of care.
• Support individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns through early intervention, psychoeducation, and care linkage.
• Develop individualized safety plans and transition plans aligned with patient needs.
• Coordinate referrals and warm handoffs to outpatient mental health services, substance use treatment, youth services, and community-based resources.
• Collaborate with internal team members including peer support specialists, nurses, prescribers, and operational staff.
• Build and maintain relationships with external partners such as schools, social services, hospitals, and crisis response teams.
• Based on clinical level and shift assignment, serve as the highest-level BHC on shift and act as lead in collaboration with Lead RN and Site Directors.
• Participate in daily clinical huddles and team-based care coordination.
• Contribute to a collaborative, team-oriented environment focused on patient safety and quality care.
• Communicate effectively with clinical leadership and team members to escalate risks and support care decisions.
• Partner with clinical and operational leadership to support smooth patient flow and care delivery.
• Complete timely, accurate, and thorough documentation of assessments, interventions, and care plans.
• Maintain compliance with program requirements, documentation standards, and applicable regulations.
• Build trust with patients and families through empathetic, culturally responsive care.
• Provide education and support to individuals and caregivers during moments of crisis.
• Promote patient dignity, autonomy, and engagement in care planning.
• Apply critical thinking and clinical judgment in high-pressure situations.
• Participate in quality improvement efforts and feedback loops to strengthen program effectiveness.
• Contribute to a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Associate-level clinician (APCC/ACSW/AMFT) working toward licensure with supervision.
• 1 or more years of experience providing behavioral health services, crisis intervention, or counseling.
• Experience supporting individuals experiencing acute distress, including mental health crises and/or substance use challenges.
• Strong crisis de-escalation, assessment, and stabilization skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment.
• Excellent communication, organization, and teamwork skills.
• Willingness to work 12-hour shifts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in crisis settings such as CWIC, CSU, ED, urgent care, or community crisis programs.
• Experience working with youth and family systems.
• Experience supporting individuals with co-occurring (dual diagnosis) conditions.
• Bilingual (Spanish strongly preferred).
• Lantermen-Petris-Short Act (LPS) designation in Riverside County.
• Familiarity with local community mental health and social service resources.
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHRs).

Skills

• Crisis assessment, de-escalation, and stabilization.
• Trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
• Team-based care and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Clinical judgment and adaptability in dynamic environments.

Pay

The compensation range for this role is $75,000 – $82,000 annually, with final compensation determined based on experience, qualifications, and role scope.

Schedule

This role requires daily in-person engagement at the Indio Crisis Walk-in Center and includes 12-hour shifts.