Mental Health Professional I - Forensic Services - Pickens County - AOP

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 - Forensic Services - (Pickens) 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 BHDD - Office of Mental Health, assigned Pickens County law enforcement locations and the Pickens County Clinic, 337 West Main Street, Easley, SC 29640.

As a Mental Health Professional I, under general supervision, you will provide clinical assessments and therapeutic services for individuals referred by and involved with the Pickens County Sheriff's Office. You will work with adults/children/families who are at high risk for psychological and functional impairment following a traumatic incident and are in need of therapeutic interventions and resources in a community setting.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:

• Utilize clinical skills in providing screening, crisis and therapeutic interventions, assessment, and resources to adults, children, and families who have been identified as high risk for psychological and functional impairment following a traumatic event. Will provide follow up care after traumatic experience.

• Provide case consultation with officers to generate assessments and referrals of patients identified in need of mental health resources/interventions. Serves as liaison with personnel of the Pickens County Sheriff's Office to facilitate treatment and/or outside referral needs of identified patients seen with the Sheriff's Department.

• Coordinate with key community stakeholders to provide multi-system, trauma informed interventions and participate in community outreach events.

• Coordinate data collection, analysis, and reporting statewide the data collection of patients served.

• Shall comply with the agency Compliance Plan and all legal responsibilities and requirements in performing their job duties.

• A masters’ degree in guidance, counseling, or the social sciences or a related field.

• Must be licensed or eligible for licensure in SC. If unlicensed, must be willing to work towards licensure in SC within six (6) months of employment.

Additional Requirements:• 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.

• Must qualify for credentialing and privileging as a mental health professional and in accordance with quality assurance standards and with concurrence by BHDD - Office of Mental Health Quality Management.

• This position requires the ability to bend, stoop, climb, drive from location to location, lift and file.

• This position could be considered essential. Therefore, the employee in this position may be asked to report to work even if the Center is closed in the event of an emergency.

• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Post hire, employees must have:

• Sound theoretical knowledge of principles, methods, counseling practices, and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and mental disorders.
• Ability to listen and understand and effectively communicate information and ideas so that others will understand.
• Some knowledge of psychopathology and patient management within the psychiatric setting.
• Some knowledge of basic health and welfare services provided by other public and private agencies.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families and representatives of other
• Be able to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) Certification.

This position is considered essential and may be called back during crises/disasters/emergencies.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

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 *• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

*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.