Mental Health Professional I (Forensics)

State of South Carolina • Richland County, SC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Professional I – Forensics works under the supervision of the MHP II, Program Coordinator, and/or Program Manager of Forensics Clinical Treatment Services. The position facilitates evidence-informed psychosocial and educational groups in a Forensic Psychological Rehabilitation Treatment Mall and Forensics Units serving adults with serious and persistent mental illnesses. The role also implements services and interventions identified in multidisciplinary plans of care. The position is located at the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health – Forensics, 220 Faison Drive, Columbia, SC 29203.

The position is considered essential and requires weekend and hazardous-weather coverage. Employees must be able to move throughout the facility and meet specified physical demands. After hire, employees are expected to apply therapeutic knowledge and evidence-based practices, conduct assessments and treatment planning, provide therapeutic services, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences, or a related field.
• A master’s degree and professional experience in guidance counseling or the social sciences, with eligibility to obtain an LPC license within three years.
• Current and valid South Carolina driver’s license.
• Ability to bend, stoop, lift 25 pounds or more in an emergency, climb stairs, and move freely throughout the facility.
• Practical therapeutic knowledge of counseling principles, methods, and practices, and evidence-based treatment practices for mental health disorders and behavioral challenges (required post-hire).
• Strong active listening skills and ability to communicate complex information clearly and compassionately (required post-hire).
• Knowledge and skills to conduct comprehensive mental health assessments, initiate treatment plans, and deliver a range of therapeutic services (required post-hire).
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team and exercise sound clinical judgment; effective oral and written communication (required post-hire).

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual ability in English and Spanish or another language.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Program Manager and Program Coordinator with planning, organizing, and coordinating evidence-informed psychosocial rehabilitation and educational groups for forensic patients.
• Lead groups as scheduled and ensure appropriate materials and supplies are available.
• Document progress notes, treatment goals and objectives, and interventions in the Electronic Health Record and master treatment plan.
• Document weekly progress for individual and/or group sessions, including progress toward treatment-plan goals and objectives, using professional writing, accurate punctuation, and grammar.
• Participate in treatment-plan development by identifying measurable goals, objectives, and interventions that address patients’ recovery and treatment needs.
• Communicate with the treatment team about patients’ progress and needs.
• Complete needs assessments for patients participating in unit groups and Forensics Clinical Treatment Services groups.
• Maintain daily group attendance logs for statistical inventory and related reporting.
• Attend scheduled core competency training, including MANDT and CPR, complete assigned Pathlore online training within required time frames, and complete other required training.
• Participate in morning report, staff, facility, and program meetings as identified to support effective service coordination and planning.
• Provide weekend and hazardous-weather coverage as an essential employee.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance for employees, spouses, and children
• 15 days of annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days of sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program
• Retirement benefit choices through the State Retirement Plan (SCRS) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP); enrollment in one listed plan is required for FTE employees

What This Job Offers

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