Mental Health Professional I / Adult Services (Sumter - Santee-Wateree )

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the 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, Santee-Wateree MHC, 801 N. Pike West, Sumter, SC 29153. Under limited supervision, you will screen consumers to determine appropriateness for services, provides assessments for diagnosis and planning, and delivers individual, family, and group therapy to an outpatient adult population of Santee-Wateree MHC within the Sumter County Outpatient Clinic.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:

• Provide thorough clinical assessments to establish a comprehensive understanding of the consumer’s psychosocial, medical, educational, employment, and psychiatric histories. Based upon the assessment, assign a psychiatric diagnosis in accordance with the criteria set forth in DSM 5. Make appropriate referrals for additional consumer services both internally and externally.

• Screen consumers who wish to initiate or resume services. Conduct screenings via telephone and/or in person to determine if individuals meet the criteria for appropriateness of services at the Sumter Clinic. Ensures that alternative referrals are made for individuals not meeting criteria. Utilize Santee-Wateree MHC screening form adhering to pre-established standards of administration and determination of services.

• Provide quality outpatient clinic-based individual and family psychotherapy services, educational services as well as crisis management interventions to an elderly population with sensitivity to cultural differences. Demonstrate reliable clinical skills and sound professional judgment.

• Develop and conduct group therapy with consumers and/or family members. Provide informative and educational materials to group members and abides by the ethical standards set forth for group settings. Document content of group and consumer participation per policy.

• Develop individual treatment plans based on assessment of treatment needs conducted by clinician, psychiatrist, and nursing staff. Ensure service authorization and documentation are completed per OMH policy. Maintain clinical charts according to Quality Assurance, SCBHDD/OMH, SWMHC and other standards and regulations. Adhere to requirements of SCBHDD/OMH and SWMHC Corporate Compliance Plan.

• Attend and actively participate in Sumter Clinic daily staff meetings. Provide consultation with colleagues relating to clinical issues. Participate in required SCBHDD/OMH/SWMHC in-service training and other professional training opportunities to develop and enhance clinical skills and professional knowledge. Attend biweekly supervision. Maintain a personal commitment toward continuing education.

• Provide back-up services for emergencies and provide other clinic services as needed.

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

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to operate non-adaptive vehicles.

• Ability to lift 50 lbs.

• Travel throughout the Santee-Wateree MHC catchment area as directed

• License or license eligible

• Health care or related experience

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

Post hire, employees must demonstrate:• Knowledge of normal and abnormal behavior adjustment techniques.

• Knowledge of casework practices and interviewing techniques.
• Knowledge of legal principles and practices.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques, principles, and practices.
• Knowledge of methods, principles and practices of clinical counseling and educational services.
• Completion of MAPS and other required training.

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. 60024074