Mental Health Professional / School-Based Aiken & Barnwell County (Aiken)

State of South Carolina • Aiken County, SC

5h

About The Position

The Mental Health Professional I provides school-based counseling services as an embedded mental health professional in schools throughout Aiken and Barnwell Counties. The role provides evidence-based, safe, effective, and measurable services to support recovery for people with mental illness in school settings; assists with developing and implementing treatment plans; and guides clients in developing skills and strategies to achieve and maintain good mental health. Services are primarily delivered in designated schools, with community and clinic services provided during school holidays and breaks. The position is based at the Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center in Aiken, South Carolina, and may serve schools in both counties.

The position requires clinical documentation, patient-functionality measurement, caseload review, and compliance with quality assurance, corporate compliance, risk management, and prior-authorization requirements. Employees participate in supervision, treatment-team meetings, consultation groups, and professional development, and maintain certification in evidence-based practices. The role is essential and may be called back during crises, disasters, or emergencies.

The position may be eligible for SCOMH Student Loan Repayment for some outstanding loans associated with a relevant healthcare degree. The employer offers a benefits package to full-time employees, including insurance coverage, paid leave and holidays, parental leave, deferred compensation, and retirement plan choices.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in guidance, counseling, social sciences, or a related field.
• Must be licensed, or willing and able to become licensed in South Carolina as an LMSW, LMFT, or LPC within the first year of employment.
• Must qualify for credentialing and privileging as a mental health professional under quality assurance standards, with concurrence by Office of Mental Health Quality Management.
• Must provide evidence of clinical experience delivering direct patient care, documented through a graduate practicum or internship or post-graduate clinical experience.
• Ability to lift 5 pounds and operate a state vehicle.
• Must be able to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) certification.
• Ability to listen, understand, and communicate information and ideas effectively.
• Must have practical therapeutic knowledge of counseling principles, methods, practices, and procedures for diagnosing and treating behavioral and mental disorders.
• Must have knowledge of psychopathology, family dynamics, and family and group psychotherapy.
• Ability to identify and effectively use community resources.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families, and representatives of other professional disciplines.
• Ability to present clear and comprehensive oral and written reports.
• Must comply with SCOMH and ABMHC policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

• One year of post-graduate experience providing counseling or treatment.
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish or another language.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient care hours as outlined in the employee performance plan and ensure patients are seen according to their needs.
• Provide school-based, evidence-based mental health services in designated schools and community or clinic services during school holidays and breaks.
• Assist in developing and implementing treatment plans and guide clients in developing skills and strategies for maintaining good mental health.
• Complete clinical documentation using collaborative documentation and according to QA/OMH standards.
• Measure patient functionality using the DLA-20.
• Participate in clinical supervision and treatment-team meetings, pursue professional development, and demonstrate effective use of social and interpersonal knowledge and skills.
• Use and maintain certification in evidence-based practices.
• Review caseloads weekly for timely discharge, engagement, transition, and follow-up.
• Comply with the Corporate Compliance Policy and Risk Management Plan and complete prior authorizations in a timely manner.
• Attend scheduled supervision, monthly consultation groups, and psychiatrist supervision through interdisciplinary staffing meetings.
• Obtain CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) certification.
• Be available for call-back during crises, disasters, or emergencies.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage 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.
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available.
• Choice of State Retirement Plan (SCRS) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP); enrollment in one plan is required for FTE employees.
• May be eligible for SCOMH Student Loan Repayment to cover some outstanding loan costs associated with a relevant healthcare degree.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time