Mental Health Professional I - Transition Specialist (Transitions - Morris Village)

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 (OMH), Morris Village Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Center (MV), 610 Faison Drive Columbia, SC 29203.

As the Mental Health Professional I, under general supervision of the Program Coordinator II for the Office of Transitions Programs, you will identify and execute activities that result in patient discharge from Morris Village and Inpatient Services settings, to include discharge plan development, accessing residential setting, where applicable; patient assessment and linking to Office of Substance Use Services (OSUS) and/or other community resources. Work hours will be spent at Morris Village, OSUS, and OMH sites to initiate patient transitions / discharges into community as agreed upon by the agencies.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional:• Quality Management: Timely screenings of the identified referred patients. Coordinates and locates community-based residential settings options, where applicable; Conduct CMHC Initial Clinical Assessments, Safety Plans, and DIA20s with patients choosing CMHC for outpatient provider to support continuity of services from inpatient to outpatient settings; problem-solve and consult with OSUS and/or MV staff, and/or other services when clinically necessary; Provide follow-up to the patient in the community to facilitate effective transition of care. Collects data for performance improvement; Utilize the Avatar and EMR to document services provided; complete accurate and timely reports to management as required. Leadership: Attend treatment team meetings/staffings at MV and/or Inpatient Services to ensure effective communication of discharge efforts and to provide community-based resources and/or options for discharge planning. Coordinate staffing With CMHC regarding program placement for patient When discharged; provides face-to-face and/or video introduction of patient to community providers, such as care coordination and MHC staff. Coordinate aftercare appointment With the CMHC and appropriate 30 IC, needed psychosocial supports, and medical linkage in a timely manner post discharge. Initiative: identify, collect and routinely update an inventory of integrated community-based services and/or residences for Transition Team distribution/resource directory; brokers needed community resources/services and develops resources where gaps exist; Skill Enhancement: completes core competency trainings (such as SCEIS, MANDT, MAPS, etc.) and Other job-related trainings as required or assigned; Will maintain professional licensure (as applicable) and maintain knowledge Of and enforce policies and procedures

• A master's degree in guidance, counseling or the social sciences, or a related field and professional experience in human services or social services programs.

Additional Requirements• Ability to bend, stoop, climb, drive from location to location, lift and file; must perform duties in multiple settings.

• Six (6) months or more experience in a clinical program.
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Post hire, employees must: • Be able to successfully complete SCEIS, MANDT, MAPS training.

• Be able to access and coordinate interaction between multi-disciplinary staff when needed.
• Have thorough knowledge of methods, principles, and practices of clinical counseling and education services.
• Have extensive knowledge of psychopathology and patient management within a psychiatric setting.
• Be able to problem-solve and utilize a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach to patient transition.
• Have laptop computer skills, able to utilize a web-based database system of reporting, be highly organized and able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Possess ability to access and coordinate interaction between multi-disciplinary staff when needed

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.