Mental Health Professional / School-Based / Barnwell (Barnwell)

State of South Carolina • Barnwell County, SC

6h • Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Professional I provides school-based mental health counseling as an embedded professional in schools throughout Barnwell County. The role delivers evidence-based services to promote and support recovery for people with mental illness, assists with developing and implementing treatment plans, and helps clients build skills and strategies to achieve and maintain good mental health. Services are primarily provided in designated schools during the school year; during school holidays and breaks, services are delivered in the community and clinic. The position is based at the Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center in Barnwell, South Carolina, and may be eligible for SCOMH Student Loan Repayment for qualifying outstanding loans associated with a relevant healthcare degree.

The role includes direct patient care, clinical documentation, caseload review, collaboration with treatment teams, clinical supervision, and professional development. The employee must meet credentialing and privileging standards and comply with Office of Mental Health quality assurance, corporate compliance, and risk management requirements. This is an essential position and may be called back during crises, disasters, or emergencies.

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 in accordance with quality assurance standards and with concurrence by Office of Mental Health Quality Management.
• Must provide evidence of clinical experience in 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.
• Ability to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) certification.
• Practical therapeutic knowledge of principles, methods, and counseling practices and procedures for diagnosing and treating behavioral and mental disorders.
• Ability to listen, understand, and communicate information and ideas clearly.
• 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 present clear and comprehensive oral and written reports.

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.
• Ensure patients are seen in accordance with their needs.
• Complete clinical documentation using collaborative documentation and meet QA/OMH standards.
• Measure patient functionality using the DLA-20.
• Participate in clinical supervision and treatment team meetings, pursue professional development, and demonstrate effective social and interpersonal skills and appreciation of individual and group differences and similarities.
• Effectively use evidence-based practices and maintain related certifications.
• Review the caseload 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.
• Provide school-based counseling services during the school year and community- and clinic-based services during school breaks.
• Attend scheduled supervision, monthly consultation groups, and psychiatrist supervision through interdisciplinary staffing meetings.
• Pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) certification.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and 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.
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available.
• Retirement plan choices: State Retirement Plan (SCRS) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP); enrollment in one is required for FTE employees.
• Potential eligibility for SCOMH Student Loan Repayment for some outstanding loans associated with completion of a relevant healthcare degree.

What This Job Offers

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