Mental Health Professional II /Outpatient Forensic Support (Charleston)

State of South Carolina • Charleston County, SC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health (OMH), Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center. Under the supervision of mental health center staff and with training and direction from forensic services, you will be the outpatient Forensic support Mental Health Professional II working to support patients at high risk of repeated criminal justice involvement. Your responsibility will include an entire BHDD-OMH region of the state.

Requirements

• A master's degree and professional experience in guidance, counseling or the social sciences and two (2) years of experience in clinical setting.
• A current and valid SC Driver's license.
• Ability to bend, stoop, lift up to 25 pounds or more in an emergency situation, climb stairs, and the ability to move freely throughout the entire facility.
• In order to be credentialed for core services as a Mental Health Professional at the BHDD-OMH, applicants must provide evidence of clinical experience providing direct patient care . This experience may be documented as a practicum or internship during graduate program, or post-graduate clinical experience. Please be sure to provide specific clinical activities on your application and/or resume.

Nice To Haves

• Licensure
• Knowledge and experience in criminal justice setting.
• Experience with individual and group counseling.
• The ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing with patients and staff.
• Computer skills sufficient to complete essential job duties.
• Be able to independently use good clinical judgment and critical thinking and professionally communicate with community and justice stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Follow and attempt to engage Forensic VIP patients at the center and/or in jail.
• Assess for emergency or judicial commitment; file commitment papers.
• Monitor all individuals awaiting forensic admission and provide updates to the center director and forensic director, to include notifying the appropriate parties when patient on a therapeutic bond does not show up for scheduled injection and as appropriate, notify the Forensic Evaluation Service (FES).
• Consult email box when a VIP client is arrested.
• Assist BHDD-OMH forensic staff in contacting defendants involved in the forensic evaluation process, to include assisting with scheduling virtual or in-person sessions at the center with off site forensic staff.
• Support discharge and release planning in collaboration with the Office of Transition Programs to include, but not limited to, assisting with obtaining identifying documents and other verifications necessary to establish a financial platform; obtaining signatures; identifying substitute decision makers as needed.
• Refer appropriate Forensic VIP patients to appropriate programming at the mental health center (e.g., ACT Teams, Navigate, Homeless Programs, etc.) and for treatment within the jail.
• Provide the appropriate evidence-based therapy (e.g., CBT-p) to treatment resistant patients.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices
• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

What This Job Offers

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