Client Advocate I (Spartanburg)

State of South Carolina•Spartanburg County, SC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Client Advocate I promotes recovery for people with mental illness, substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorders by providing peer support services. The position is based at the Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and services may be delivered at center locations and in the community. The role includes outreach to vulnerable, high-risk populations, including people returning to treatment after psychiatric crises, emergency-room visits, or incarceration. The Client Advocate provides individual and group services in varied settings, including mentoring, recovery coaching, peer-led groups, and navigation of social needs such as housing and food. The role partners with clients to develop individualized recovery plans, Wellness Recovery Action Plans, and personalized harm-reduction plans. The position also requires service documentation in accordance with state, federal, and CARF guidelines; completion of required training; and obtaining and maintaining Peer Support Specialist (PSS) Certification. This is an essential position that may be called back during crises, disasters, or emergencies. The regular schedule is 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some weekend community events. The employee must be able to lift 5 pounds and operate a state vehicle.

Requirements

High school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience; a bachelor's degree may substitute for the required experience.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Ability to obtain and maintain PSS Certification.
Knowledge of agency and community resources and ability to link individuals with resources.
Ability to teach individuals how to take responsibility for recovery.
Ability to advocate effectively for patient needs and collaborate with the treatment team.
Ability to demonstrate sustained recovery.
Ability to lift 5 pounds and operate a state vehicle.
Availability for some weekend community events and potential call-back during crises, disasters, or emergencies.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish or another language.

Responsibilities

Provide patient-care hours annually, ensuring patients are seen in accordance with level of care (LOC) and prior authorizations are completed before services are delivered.
Provide individual and group peer support services in varied settings, including mentoring, recovery coaching, peer-led groups, and navigation of social needs such as housing and food.
Conduct proactive community outreach to engage vulnerable, high-risk populations, including individuals returning to treatment from psychiatric crisis facilities, local emergency rooms, or incarceration.
Partner with clients to develop individualized, participant-owned recovery plans that reinforce functional life skills and support stable independent living.
Collaborate with clients to create Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP) and personalized harm-reduction plans identifying individual relapse triggers.
Complete required training and SCEIS training modules, maintain PSS Certification, and participate in OMH PSS meetings and training.
Use social and interpersonal skills effectively and demonstrate understanding and appreciation of individual and group differences and similarities.
Document all services using collaborative documentation and in accordance with state, federal, and CARF guidelines.
Comply with Corporate Compliance and Risk Management Plans.
Advocate for patient needs, collaborate with the treatment team, and help individuals take responsibility for their recovery.
Link individuals with agency and community resources.

Benefits

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Long-term disability insurance
Life insurance
15 days of annual (vacation) leave per year
15 days of sick leave per year
13 paid holidays
Paid parental leave
S.C. Deferred Compensation Program
State Retirement Plan (SCRS) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP); enrollment in one listed plan is required for FTE employees.