Mental Health Professional I - Assessment Clinician - (Pickens - 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/Assessment Clinician (Pickens - AOP) 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, Pickens County Clinic, 337 West Main Street, Easley, SC 29640.

As a Mental Health Professional I, you will provide assessment and diagnostic recommendations to assigned patients of the Pickens County Clinic of the Anderson-Oconee-Pickens Mental Health Center.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:

• Provide clinical assessments to determine appropriateness of services and diagnostic impression for individuals initiating mental health treatment.

• Provide unplanned crisis intervention services to people presenting to the mental health clinic. Assessment clinician provides services to individuals of all ages.

• Ensure access to care standards are met by monitoring and responding to referrals and scheduling planned diagnostic assessments within agency standards.

• Conduct telephonic clinical screenings as appropriate to ensure patient needs are met in a timely manner.

• Maintain clinical documentation in accordance with BHDD Standards.

• Attend and participate in treatment team and staff meetings and makes recommendations for patient's treatment according to identified needs.

• 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 Center Preferred: • Work related experience with the alcohol and drug population.

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 Office of Mental Health Quality Management.

• This position requires the ability to bend, stoop, climb, drive from location to location, lift up to 10 pounds 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 professional disciplines.
• Ability 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.