Mental Health Professional I /Medical Affairs- Office of Transition Programs (BPH)

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, G. Werber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital, 220 Faison Drive, Columbia SC 29203.

As the Mental Health Professional I, working under the general supervision of the Transition Specialist Program Manager I within the Office of Transition Programs, you will identify and execute activities that result in patient discharge from inpatient settings to integrated community residences and community-based behavioral health services. This position will develop discharge plans, assessing patients, securing residential placements, and linking individuals to community-based providers.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:• Conduct CMHC Initial Clinical Assessments and DLA20s with patients choosing CMHC for outpatient provider to support continuity of services from inpatient to outpatient settings.

• Coordinate and locate community-based residential settings options, based on patients' discharge plan.

• Collect data for performance improvement; utilize the Avatar and EMR to document services provided.

• Complete accurate and timely reports (such as Designed Examiner reports) to management as required.

• Coordinate staffing with CMHC regarding program placement for patients when discharged.

• Provide face-to-face and/or video introduction of patient to community providers to include care coordinator and peer support specialist.

• Attend treatment team meetings, discharge committee meetings, patient staffing and discharge planning staffing to provide community-based resources and/or options for discharge planning.

• Identify collect and routinely update an inventory of integrated community-based residences for Transition Team distribution/resource directory; brokers needed community resources/services and developed resources where gaps exist.

• Complete core competency training such as (South Carolina Enterprise Information Systems (SCEIS), MANDT, MAPS, etc.) and other job-related training courses as required or assigned.

• Maintain professional licensure (as applicable) and maintain knowledge of and enforce policies and procedures.

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

Additional Requirements• Ability to travel to multiple locations. This position is in the Office of Transition Programs but will work in the community with regular travel to community sites and assigned regional mental health centers such as the Columbia Area Mental Health Center (CMHC's), and Division of Inpatient Services (DIS) hospitals.

• Must be able to bend, stoop, climb, and drive reliably between locations.

• Must be able to lift, transport, and organize physical files.

• Ability to complete MAPS and MANDT de-escalation trainings.

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

• Six (6) months to one (1) year experience in a clinical program.

Post Hire, Employee must:• Must possess ability to access and coordinate interaction between multi-disciplinary staff when needed.

• Must have thorough knowledge of methods, principles and practices of clinical counseling and education services.
• Extensive knowledge of psychopathology and patient management within a psychiatric setting.
• Ability to problem-solve and utilize a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach to patient transition.
• Must possess laptop computer skills.
• Ability to utilize web-based database system of reporting, be highly organized.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

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.