Mental Health Professional I / School-Based (Richland One District - Columbia Area MHC)

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 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, Columbia Area Mental Health, 2715 Colonia Drive, #100, Columbia, SC 29203. This position will cover Richland One District schools and currently is serving one high school and one elementary school.

As the Mental Health Professional I for the School-Based program, working under general supervision, you will provide advanced assessment, crisis management, short- and long-term individual and family therapy, and case management services for children and their families who present with psychiatric needs. The main goal of interventions will be to reduce psychiatric symptomatology and increase positive functioning within a variety of ecological systems. Service is delivered in a school-based setting. 

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:

• Provide an array of clinical services to promote recovery, stabilization, and independence based on the patient's plan of care.
• Documentation is reflective of the quality care expected of this position to include Collaborative Documentation/timely record keeping.
• Provide Family Therapy as regular component of treatment
• 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/staff meetings.
• Maintain competency in at least one Evidence-Based Practice.
• Ensure patient functionality is measured by the DLA20.
• Respond to telephone messages, e-mails, Teams messages, and inter-office mail.
• Retain overall responsibility for meeting Quality Assurance and CARF standards.
• Ensure appropriate, timely response to patient requests for services.
• Comply with the BHDD - OMH Compliance Plan and all legal responsibilities and requirements in performing their job duties. Complete annual compliance/ethics training and submit conflict of interest and acknowledgment form.
• Provide school consultation, education, and prevention services to the school district through the provision of faculty and staff in-service training, consultation to faculty and staff, classroom presentations, Parent-Teacher Organization presentations, and critical incident debriefing and/or adverse incident response.

This position MAY be eligible for SCOMH Student Loan Repayment to cover some of the cost of your outstanding loan(s) balance associated with the completion of a healthcare degree that is relevant to the appliable position.

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

• Licensure as a LPC, LISW, etc.
• Have knowledge about the etiology and treatment of behavioral and emotional disorders.
• Familiarity with relevant systems of care and agency characteristics.
• A high level of attention to detail and task completion, as well as dependability.
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Post hire, employee must:

• Have knowledge about the impact of mental illness on children, adolescents and their families.
• Know about theories and methods of interventions.
• Be able to establish and maintain effective relationships with individuals, families and other professionals.
• Have the ability to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) Certification.

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.

Salary : $51,039 - $59,622