About the Department
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Mental Health Professional I who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.
This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Columbia Area Mental Health Center, 2715 Colonial Dr #100, Columbia, SC 29203.
As the
Mental Health Professional I, you will serve on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team delivering intensive, mobile, and evidence-based services directly in the community to foster recovery and stabilization for individuals with mental illness.
Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:
- Provide direct, recovery-oriented care to ACT beneficiaries by teaching evidence-based coping strategies and facilitating independent living skills training to promote long-term mental health stability.
- Utilize assertive engagement strategies to build rapport and actively connect with hard-to-reach beneficiaries.
- Facilitate the person-centered planning process for beneficiaries assigned.
- Assist beneficiary with access to community services, resources, and agencies and establishing support networks in the community.
- Complete screenings and comprehensive assessments for new referrals and assist with development and revisions of instructional continuity plans.
- Provide family psychoeducation and work with beneficiary's natural support.
- Participate in clinical supervision, treatment team meetings, pursue professional development, demonstrate effective use of social and interpersonal knowledge and skills, and demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of individual and group differences and similarities.
- Attend team meetings daily and provide consultation regarding complex cases as appropriate.
- Maintain active certifications in evidence-based practices.
- Completes documentation according to QA/OMH standards, comply with corporate compliance policy and risk management policy, and ensure timely completion of prior authorizations.
Position Duties
- A master’s degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or a related field.
- Licensed as an LISW, LLISW-CP, LMFT, or LPC in the state of South Carolina.
A master's degree from an accredited college or university in a program that is primarily psychological in nature.
One (1) year of professional experience working with adults who have a serious mental illness with experience within a South Carolina state agency.
In order to be credentialed for core services as a Mental Health Professional at the SC Office of Mental Health, applicants must provide evidence of clinical experience providing direct patient care. This experience may be documented as a practicum or internship during graduate program, or post-graduate clinical experience. Please be sure to provide specific clinical activities on your application and/or resume.
Additional Requirements:- Ability to lift up to 5 pounds and maintain a valid driver’s license to operate a state vehicle.
- Ability to work in an essential-personnel capacity, including call-backs during crises, natural disasters, or emergencies.
- Ability to actively participate as a core member of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule to deliver care across various community settings and patient's homes.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.
Other Qualifications
Post hire, employees must:
- Advanced understanding of counseling principles, diagnostic methods, and evidence-based treatment practices for mental health disorders and behavioral challenges.
- Deep knowledge of psychopathology, family systems, group dynamics, and specialized psychological conditions.
- Strong active listening skills paired with the ability to articulate complex information clearly and compassionately to individuals.
- Proven ability to prepare and deliver comprehensive, clear, and structured oral and written reports.
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full-time (FTE) employees:
- Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
- 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
- 15 days sick leave per year
- 13 paid holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
- Retirement benefit choices *
*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.
Benefits
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.
Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.
Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.
Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.
Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
Supplemental Questions
01
Please check the box(es) if you have ever been employed by the following Offices of SC Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
- Office of Mental Health (OMH) (formerly SC Department of Mental Health)
- Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD) (formerly SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs)
- Office of Substance Use Services (OSUS) (formerly SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services)
- Does Not Apply
02
If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense (Other than in a Juvenile Court), you MUST list this information (unless you have taken steps to expunge your record). This includes fraudulent checks, driving under suspension, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, etc. *Please note that conviction of a criminal offense does not bar you from employment in all cases; each conviction is evaluated individually. However, failure to list convictions is considered falsification of the application and WILL BE grounds for termination, if hired. It is your responsibility to know what is on your criminal record. If you have charges on your record that appear without a court disposition (result) you may be asked to provide that information if selected for employment. If you have questions, please inquire before you complete your application. PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ANSWERING THIS QUESTIONS WILL DEEM YOUR APPPLCATION AS INCOMPLETE AND IT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Please indicate your understanding to this statement by checking the box below
- Checking this box indicates my understanding to the above referenced statement.
03
Do you have a master’s degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or a related field?
04
Are you licensed as an LISW, LISW-CP, LMFT, or LPC in the state of South Carolina?
05
Do you have one (1) year of professional experience working with adults who have a serious mental illness with experience within a South Carolina state agency?
06
Please select all courses that you have completed in graduate school.
- Ethics
- Psychopathology
- Psychodiagnostics
- Assessment
- None of the above courses have been completed
07
Have you been denied a professional license, or had a professional license revoked or limited by, and/or had any discipline or sanction imposed on you or your practice by a professional licensing board or body?
08
If you answered Yes to the question above, please provide a statement explaining the facts, name of the professional licensing board or body, any action taken by the board or body and your current status with that board or body
09
Please indicate your salary requirement (please be specific and not put "negotiable" or "open").
Required Question
Agency Information
EmployerState of South CarolinaAgency
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Address
400 Otarre Parkway
Cayce, South Carolina, 29033
PhoneOIDD - (803)898-9600
OMH - (803) 898-8600