Mental Health Professional II / Forensic Outreach (Catawba)

State of South Carolina • York County, SC

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Professional II / Forensic Outreach position is based at the Catawba Community Mental Health Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Under the supervision of mental health center staff and with training and direction from forensic services, the employee supports patients at high risk of repeated criminal justice involvement. The role serves an entire BHDD region of the state and includes work at the center and in jail settings.

The position supports forensic patients through engagement, commitment evaluations and paperwork, monitoring people awaiting forensic admission, coordination with forensic staff, and discharge and release planning. It also connects patients with appropriate center and jail programs and provides evidence-based therapy. The position is considered essential and may require hazardous-weather coverage, crisis or emergency call-back, and occasional weekend or after-hours work.

Requirements

• Master's degree and professional experience in guidance, counseling, or the social sciences.
• Two years of experience in a clinical setting.
• Valid South Carolina driver's license.
• In-state travel is required.
• Ability to bend, stoop, lift up to 25 pounds or more in an emergency situation, climb stairs, and move freely throughout the facility.
• Must be able to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) certification after hire.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule; the position is essential and may require call-back during crises, disasters, or emergencies.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual ability in English and Spanish or another language.
• Licensure.
• Knowledge and experience in a criminal justice setting.
• Experience with individual and group counseling.
• Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing with patients and staff.

Responsibilities

• Follow and attempt to engage Forensic VIP patients at the center and/or in jail.
• Evaluate patients for emergency or judicial commitment and file commitment papers.
• Monitor individuals awaiting forensic admission and provide updates to the center director and forensic director.
• Notify appropriate parties when a patient on a therapeutic bond misses a scheduled injection, and notify the FES Consults email box when a VIP client is arrested.
• Assist BHDD-Office of Mental Health forensic staff in contacting defendants involved in the forensic evaluation process, including scheduling virtual or in-person sessions at the center with offsite forensic staff.
• Support discharge and release planning with the BHDD-Office of Transition Programs, including helping obtain identifying documents and other verifications needed to establish a financial platform, obtain signatures, and identify substitute decision makers as needed.
• Refer appropriate Forensic VIP patients to suitable mental health center programs, such as ACT Teams, Navigate, or Homeless Programs, and to treatment within the jail.
• Provide appropriate evidence-based therapy, such as CBT-p, to treatment patients.
• Provide hazardous-weather coverage as needed and respond to call-backs during crises, disasters, or emergencies.
• Perform job duties and provide services and documentation in compliance with CARF, OMH, CCMHC, Quality Assurance, Compliance, HIPAA, Transcultural, and Productivity Standards, Policies and Procedures.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and 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.
• South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program available.
• Retirement benefit choices: State Retirement Plan (SCRS) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP); enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for FTE employees.

What This Job Offers

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