Mental Health Professional I / Addiction Counselor - ACT Team (Columbia Area MHC)

State of South Carolina•Richland County, SC

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Professional I serves on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team at the Columbia Area Mental Health Center, providing evidence-based services to promote and support recovery for people with mental illness. The position is located at 2715 Colonial Dr, Columbia, SC 29203, and involves delivering services in the community and patients’ homes. The role focuses on integrated treatment for substance use and mental health conditions. It includes assessing substance use and stages of change, providing direct counseling and outreach, supporting person-centered planning, connecting beneficiaries with community resources, and advising ACT team members on integrated dual disorder treatment. Employees must complete documentation and prior authorizations in accordance with applicable standards and policies. This is an essential position that may be called back during crises, disasters, or emergencies. Employees must be able to work a flexible schedule, operate a state vehicle, lift 5 pounds, and obtain CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) certification.

Requirements

Master’s degree in guidance, counseling, social sciences, or a related field.
Licensed as a Licensed Addiction Counselor in South Carolina or as a Master Addiction Counselor.
Evidence of clinical experience providing direct patient care, which may be documented as a practicum or internship during graduate study or as post-graduate clinical experience.
Practical therapeutic knowledge of principles, methods, and counseling practices and procedures for diagnosing and treating addictions and mental disorders.
Ability to listen, understand, and communicate information and ideas effectively.
Knowledge of psychopathology, family dynamics, and family and group psychotherapy.
Ability to identify and effectively use community resources to accomplish objectives.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families, and representatives of other professional disciplines.
Ability to lift 5 pounds and operate a state vehicle.
Ability to work a flexible schedule and deliver services in the community and patients’ homes.
Ability to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) certification.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish, or another language.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive substance use assessments and assess and track beneficiaries’ stages of change readiness and treatment.
Ensure patients are seen according to their needs and that team treatment approaches are consistent with beneficiaries’ stages of change readiness.
Facilitate access to 12-step groups and other community groups.
Provide direct services using cognitive behavioral approaches and relapse prevention; use outreach and motivational interviewing techniques for people in earlier stages of change readiness.
Facilitate the person-centered planning process for assigned beneficiaries.
Participate in clinical supervision and treatment team meetings, and pursue professional development.
Serve as a consultant and educator to ACT team members on integrated dual disorder treatment.
Complete documentation according to QA/BHDD-OMH standards, comply with the Corporate Compliance Policy and Risk Management Plan, and complete prior authorizations in a timely manner.

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: State Retirement Plan (SCRS) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP); enrollment in one is required for FTE employees