OUR MISSION

Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is a novel national public health organization comprised of a multidisciplinary team of population and public health experts with backgrounds in infectious disease, public health, emergency medicine, primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, community health work (CHW), nursing and advanced practice pharmacy. We work nearly exclusively with underrepresented communities, fundamentally addressing health-care disparities and the social determinants of health (SDoH) that have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the following:

• People experiencing homelessness
• Indigenous communities
• Immigrant communities
• Rural communities
• BIPoC communities
• LGBTQIA+ communities
• Justice-impacted communities

The WEA team is diverse, inclusive, and nimble enough to assemble teams of healthcare professionals within days using our proven local staff recruitment models to address population health crises and communicable disease outbreaks. The WEA team’s partnership model is collaborative and allows hospitals, health jurisdictions, state/local government agencies to provide timely care using equity-based strategies for individuals and marginalized communities.

Position Summary

The Unit Director provides strategic, clinical, and operational leadership for the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed, person-centered care for individuals experiencing mental health or behavioral health crises. This position oversees daily operations, supervises multidisciplinary staff, ensures regulatory compliance, and partners with internal and external stakeholders to support safe, effective, and timely stabilization services.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Program Management

• Provide overall direction, vision, and management of the Crisis Stabilization Unit.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and best practices that support safe and effective crisis services.
• Lead continuous quality improvement initiatives, including data review, performance metrics, and staff feedback loops.
• Ensure the unit operates in alignment with organizational mission, state requirements, and evidence-based crisis care models.
  
  

2. Clinical Oversight

• Oversee the delivery of trauma-informed, culturally responsive crisis stabilization services.
• Ensure assessments, treatment planning, documentation, and interventions meet clinical and regulatory standards.
• Consult with clinical supervisors, nurses, therapists, and crisis responders regarding complex cases.
• Ensure appropriate risk assessment, safety planning, and escalation protocols.
  

3. Staff Supervision & Development

• Supervise and support multidisciplinary staff, including clinicians, nurses, peer specialists, mental health practitioners, and support personnel.
• Hire, onboard, train, and mentor staff; promote professional development and high team morale.
• Manage staffing schedules, caseload distribution, and workload expectations.
• Implement and reinforce staff safety practices and crisis response protocols.

4. Operational & Administrative Management

• Manage the unit’s budget, staffing resources, and operational workflows.
• Oversee facility operations to ensure a safe and therapeutic environment.
• Partner with finance teams to track resource utilization and billing compliance.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation in electronic health records (EHR).
  

5. Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure adherence to state and federal regulations, licensing requirements, and accreditation standards.
• Conduct internal audits, incident reviews, and compliance monitoring.
• Oversee reporting requirements and prepare documentation for inspections, audits, and reviews.
  

6. Community & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Serve as the primary point of contact for hospitals, law enforcement, social services, mobile crisis teams, and community providers.
• Build strong relationships to support coordinated crisis response and smooth transitions of care.
• Participate in community meetings, advisory groups, and cross-system planning efforts.
  

7. Crisis Response Leadership

• Provide on-call leadership support as needed for emergent situations.
• Guide de-escalation approaches and trauma-responsive interventions.
• Support staff through critical incidents, debriefings, and after-action reviews.
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social work, psychology, nursing, public administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Relevant licensure or eligibility (e.g., LGSW/LICSW, LPCC, LMFT, RN) depending on state requirements.
• 3–5+ years of experience in behavioral health, crisis services, or inpatient/residential care.
• 2+ years of supervisory or program leadership experience.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing a crisis stabilization unit, psychiatric inpatient unit, or similar program.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention models, and behavioral health regulations.
• Strong skills in budgeting, staffing, performance management, and quality improvement.
• Experience collaborating with law enforcement, EMS, hospitals, and community providers.
• Familiarity with electronic health records and data reporting systems.
  
  

Key Competencies

• Leadership & decision-making
• Crisis management & de-escalation
• Trauma-responsive and culturally competent practice
• Communication & collaboration
• Problem-solving & systems thinking
• Staff coaching & development
• Regulatory and documentation compliance