AC
Appalachian Community Services
Waynesville, North Carolina

Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) Clinician (3584)

HealthcareNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$57K–$63K

The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday

Ask the employer about call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 4mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Level: Experienced
  • Job Location: Waynesville, NC 28786
  • Position Type: Full Time
  • Education Level: Master's Degree
  • Salary Range: $57,234.57 - $63,334.44
  • Travel Percentage: Local TravelThis position is eligible for a $5,000 sign on bonus!

About Us Appalachian Community Services provides Mental Health, Behavioral Health, Substance Use, and Developmental Disability services to individuals, families, and communities within the seven western counties of North Carolina. We provide a wide range of walk-in, psychiatric, substance abuse, and crisis services to adults and children.

About the Role We are actively seeking a compassionate and skilled Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) Clinician to join our team full-time. This role is essential to our mission, providing therapy, crisis support, and service coordination for mental health clients in a variety of settings.

As a Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) Clinician with ACS, you will provide brief individual and family crisis counseling for clients four years of age and older.

Provide individual crisis intervention to clients and their families/natural supports, based on needs, diagnoses, and best evidence-based practices, in a way that adheres to the Agency’s core values Provide any required documentation, which includes treatment notes, goals, and plans for the medical record (e. g., service consent, release of information, discharge summary, etc.) Must be free from all illicit substance use Must be able to do Light Work; no lifting over 20 pounds Direct Services Work to implement brief therapeutic interventions, crisis interventions, behavioral interventions, psycho-education, and other best evidence-based practice therapies available Work with clients, families, natural supports, and collateral agencies to meet client’s immediate needs Provide brief parent/guardian/caregiver training, as appropriate, to assist with the development of effective behavior management strategies Assist in all service delivery as formally planned with the clinical team Position is M-F 2:30p-11p.

This description outlines the general scope and level of work for this role. It is not intended to include every duty or responsibility that may be required of employees in this position.

Compensation This role is compensated on a salaried basis, providing consistent earnings aligned with the responsibilities and expectations of the position

  • Compensation: $57,234.57 - $63,334.44

Placement within the range is based on licensure level, education, and experience. What You Can Expect Provide Crisis Counseling: Deliver brief individual and family crisis counseling and therapeutic interventions for clients ages 4 and older.

Support Clients and Families: Work closely with clients, caregivers, and community partners to address immediate mental health needs and develop effective coping strategies.

Complete Clinical Documentation: Maintain accurate treatment records, including progress notes, treatment plans, consents, and discharge summaries. Collaborate with the Care Team: Partner with clinicians and support staff to coordinate services and ensure quality care during the Monday–Friday, 2:30 PM–11:00 PM shift.

Responsibilities Provide crisis intervention, brief counseling, and behavioral health support to individuals and families experiencing mental health crises. Conduct brief therapeutic and behavioral interventions using evidence-based practices to address immediate client needs.

Complete and maintain accurate clinical documentation, including treatment notes, service plans, consents, and discharge summaries. Collaborate with clients, families, caregivers, and community agencies to coordinate care and connect individuals with appropriate resources and services.

Qualifications

Position Qualifications: Education: At a minimum, a Master’s Degree in counseling, social work, or psychology and a full license is required to perform this role Licensure: LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT (must be fully licensed)

Why Join Us

We are focused on creating a model where clinicians are supported, not overloaded. You’ll have the flexibility to shape your schedule, the support to maintain a steady caseload, and the opportunity to grow within a stable, mission-driven organization.

Beyond the engaging work, you'll also benefit from our competitive benefits package to support you and your loved ones, provide work/life balance, and invest in your future. The list below is for informational purposes only.

Consumer-driven health plan coverage provided by Anthem Wellness: When you enroll in a medical plan, you get complete care support on your time through Sydney app (Anthem), with exclusive access to 24/7 access to licensed doctors, therapists, and psychiatrists.

Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flex Spending Account (FSA) Two dental plan options available through Delta Dental, so you can choose the level of coverage that fits your needs and budget. Affordable vision plan available through EyeMed to keep your eyes healthy and your vision sharp.

An optional Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account to reimburse yourself on a pre-tax basis for childcare.

Generous paid time off 401k or Roth IRA Retirement Programs administered by Empower Financial planning and education services at no cost to you Voluntary supplemental benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, Short-Term Disability) Educational Assistance (your position, date of hire and years of service determine your eligibility) Licensure Residency Program for Full-time Clinical Staff Advancement and Career Development Opportunities Legal Notice: We are an equal opportunity employer.

Employment is at-will and contingent upon successful completion of background checks and credential verification. We participate in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility in the United States. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Compensation varies based on licensure, experience, and caseload. ncgCARE and all partner affiliates maintain a drug-free workplace.

Key Responsibilities

Provide brief individual and family crisis counseling and behavioral health interventions for clients aged four and older. Maintain accurate clinical documentation and collaborate with care teams and community agencies to coordinate immediate mental health needs.

Requirements

Requires a Master's Degree in counseling, social work, or psychology. Must hold a full license as an LCSW, LCMHC, or LMFT.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Case CoordinationFamily Counseling

Healthcare Professional Career Context

The cost-of-living index for North Carolina is 94.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$60k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $64k in an average-cost state. 59.2% of North Carolina clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

healthcare pay on WeekdayDoc is up 11.9% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) Clinician (3584) at Appalachian Community Services a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 15% of all healthcare professional listings evaluated on our platform. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.

Work-life snapshot

7.2/ 10
Listing-based score
  • No weekends
  • On-site

Living in Waynesville

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$401k≈ 7.0× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,758/mo≈ 37% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
20 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
96.5
State income tax
Up to 4.8%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Asheville, NC metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

AC

About Appalachian Community Services

Hospitals and Health Care
Waynesville, NC
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
HSA/FSA
Generous PTO
401k
Educational Assistance
Licensure Residency Program