Mental Health Professional I (Columbia Area Mental Health Center/ School-Based)

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health 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 2715 Colonial Dr #100, Columbia, SC 29203. As a Mental Health Professional I, working under general supervision, you will provide advanced assessment, crisis management, and both short- and long-term individual and family therapy, as well as case management services for children and their families presenting with psychiatric needs. The primary objective of these interventions is to reduce psychiatric symptoms and enhance positive functioning across various ecological systems. Services are delivered within school-based settings.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:

• Provide a comprehensive array of clinical services including advanced assessment, crisis management, and both short- and long-term individual and family therapy to promote recovery, stabilization, and independence in accordance with each patient’s plan of care.

• Integrate family therapy as a regular and essential component of treatment plans.

• Maintain documentation that reflects the high standard of care expected for this position, including collaborative documentation and timely, accurate record keeping.

• Demonstrate recognition of the importance of collaboration and teamwork within the Center and the community to include interaction with peers and involvement in supervision, groups and staff meetings.

• Maintain and demonstrate competency in at least one evidence-based clinical practice relevant to the population served.

• Maintain competency in at least one Evidence-Based Practice.

• Utilize standardized tools, such as the DLA20, to assess and monitor patient functionality.

• Respond promptly and professionally to telephone messages, emails, Teams messages, and inter-office correspondence.

• Retain overall responsibility for meeting Quality Assurance and CARF standards.

• Provide appropriate and timely responses to patient requests for services, ensuring accessibility and continuity of care.

• Shall comply with the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health Compliance Plan and all legal responsibilities and requirements in performing their job duties.

• Deliver consultation, education, and prevention services to the school district, including faculty and staff in-service training, classroom presentations, Parent-Teacher Organization presentations, and critical incident debriefing and /or adverse incident response.

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

• A degree in guidance, counseling, or the social science, and two (2) years of experience in a clinical setting.

Additional Requirements:• Services provided will be in a school-based setting.

• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.
• A degree in guidance, counseling, or the social science, and two (2) years of experience in a clinical setting.

Post hire, employees must:• Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of mental illness on children, adolescents, and their families.

• Must be able to identify theories and methods of intervention and knowledge about the etiology and treatment of behavioral and emotional disorder.
• Must have a high level of attention to detail and task completion as well as dependability is highly desirable.
• Must be familiar with relevant care systems and agency characteristics is desirable.
• Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with individuals, families, and other professionals in essential.

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.