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

State of South Carolina•Richland County, SC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Professional I provides school-based clinical services to children and families with psychiatric needs in Richland One District schools. The role is based at the BHDD Office of Mental Health, Columbia Area Mental Health, in Columbia, South Carolina, and currently serves one high school and one elementary school. Under general supervision, the professional conducts advanced assessments, crisis management, short- and long-term individual and family therapy, and case management. Interventions aim to reduce psychiatric symptoms and improve functioning across ecological systems. The position also provides consultation, education, prevention services, and training to school faculty, staff, students, and families. The position requires maintaining timely, quality documentation; collaborating with colleagues and community partners; adhering to quality assurance, CARF, legal, and compliance requirements; and responding appropriately to patient requests and communications. The role may be eligible for SCOMH Student Loan Repayment for qualifying outstanding education loans.

Requirements

Master's degree in guidance, counseling, social sciences, or a related field.
Knowledge of the impact of mental illness on children, adolescents, and their families.
Knowledge of theories and methods of intervention.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with individuals, families, and other professionals.
Ability to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) certification.

Nice To Haves

Licensure as an LPC, LISW, or equivalent.
Knowledge of the etiology and treatment of behavioral and emotional disorders.
Familiarity with relevant systems of care and agency characteristics.
Strong attention to detail and task completion, and dependability.
Bilingual ability in English and Spanish or another language.

Responsibilities

Provide clinical services that promote recovery, stabilization, and independence based on each patient's plan of care.
Maintain timely, high-quality documentation, including collaborative documentation and record keeping.
Provide family therapy as a regular component of treatment.
Collaborate and work as a team within the Center and community, including participating in supervision groups and staff meetings.
Maintain competency in at least one evidence-based practice.
Measure patient functionality using the DLA20.
Respond to telephone messages, e-mails, Teams messages, and inter-office mail.
Meet Quality Assurance and CARF standards.
Respond appropriately and promptly to patient requests for services.
Comply with the BHDD-OMH Compliance Plan and applicable legal responsibilities and requirements.
Complete annual compliance and ethics training and submit conflict-of-interest and acknowledgment forms.
Provide school consultation, education, and prevention services, including faculty and staff training, consultation, classroom presentations, Parent-Teacher Organization presentations, critical-incident debriefing, and adverse-incident response.

Benefits

Health insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
Dental insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
Vision insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
Long-term disability insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
Life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
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 available.
Retirement benefit choices through the State Retirement Plan (SCRS) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP); enrollment in one of the plans is required for FTE employees.
Potential eligibility for SCOMH Student Loan Repayment to cover some outstanding loans associated with a relevant healthcare degree.