Mental Health Associate

the South Dakota State Government • Pierre, SD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Corrections Behavioral Health team. This position works within our behavioral health team to provide mental health services to the offender population, and other supportive services. At the Department of Corrections (DOC), we have an opportunity to make a difference. As a Department of Corrections employee, you will have a chance to experience: Creativity - We are always looking for innovative ideas to help us achieve improved outcomes. Making a difference - You will have an opportunity to make a difference in the life of fellow South Dakotans. Professional development - We provide valuable trainings to ensure well-trained staff that are competent, accountable, and empowered and will assist you in reaching your career goals. Teamwork - In a team-oriented approach, you will have the ability to work cooperatively with others in a friendly work environment to achieve shared goals.

Requirements

• Possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in one of the following mental health fields: counseling, social work, psychology, or marriage and family therapy.
• Ability to provide direct mental health support services to clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively.
• Ability to work independently under supervision.
• Ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation.
• Ability to work with a diverse population of clients.
• Ability to provide mental health support services as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience working with clients that have been involved in the criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of evidenced-based practices related to the rehabilitation of criminal offenders.
• Knowledge of charting and report writing.
• Skill to identify and effectively communicate offender behaviors, problems, and symptoms to mental health professionals.
• Skill to conduct brief screenings and appraisals.
• Ability to conduct individual and group counseling sessions.
• Ability to gather, interpret, report, and use information concerning clients.
• Ability to establish and effective interpersonal counseling relationships with clients.
• Ability to perform mental health screenings and appraisals.
• Ability to make recommendations and referrals when outside of scope of practice.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary staff setting.
• Ability to work in a correctional facility.
• Ability to adhere to the safety and security processes of such correctional facility.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a correctional environment.
• Experience in processes such as relaxation training, social skills groups, or recreational activities.
• Experience in scheduling psychiatric clinics.
• Experience providing supportive services and direct client care.

Responsibilities

• Provides mental health services to offenders under the supervision of mental health professionals and in compliance with mental health guidelines.
• Participate in mental health treatment services and special unit management.
• Provide input into mental health assessments, facilitate groups, and aid in facilitation of psychiatric clinics and tele-health sessions.
• Assist in daily management and monitor assigned offenders with mental illness.
• Schedule and facilitate mental health appointments.
• Participate as a member of an multidisciplinary team.
• Provide input needed for treatment and management planning to include observation of offender behaviors, problems, symptoms, and response to treatment interventions.
• Inform offenders regarding mental healthcare supervision and treatment.
• Listen to offender concerns and provide counseling, direction, and referral.
• Communicate regarding complaints, problems, incidents, and offender behavioral management issues.
• Respond to complaints, problems, actions, or behaviors within scope of practice.
• Document electronically and in an accurate and timely manner to maintain offender mental health records.
• Promotes and is accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations, and sensitive item contraband control.
• Informs supervisor of any violations of safety and security through the report writing process.
• Attends training programs as assigned, including self-defense course to ensure self-protection skills.

Benefits

• Full state benefits
• SDRS retirement
• $5,000 hiring incentive (Note: Current and Previous State Employees do NOT qualify for the Hiring Incentive)
• 0 premium employee health insurance option
• Eleven paid holidays
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Other insurance options
• Retirement benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level