Mental Health Professional I / Jail-Based Restoration / Forensics

This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)-Office of MentalHealth (OMH) Crafts-Farrow 7901FarrowRd Columbia SC 29203.

The Office of Mental Healths mission is to support the recovery of people with mental illnesses. We provide a complete array of medical and support services for children adults and families throughout South Carolina.

• Serve as MHP I assisting in the provision of competency restoration treatment for services across multiple sites. Collaboratively prepares facilitates and organizes individual and/or group therapy. Provides patient education individual and group counseling related to either competency restoration or re-entry into the community.
• Complete competency pre-screening consultations with attorneys as assigned. Works collaboratively with the legal office Forensics and the community mental health centers to develop diversion recommendations when appropriate. Provides education to all relevant stakeholders regarding the forensic process and available pathways to treatment supporting the least restrictive means of care.
• Responsible for documentation in the Electronic Health Record progress notes and treatment goals/objectives and interventions on Master Treatment Plan. Performs documentation of progress notes within twenty-four hours for individual and/or group sessions noting patients progress towards meeting treatment plan goals/objectives. Progress notes are professionally documented with accurate punctuation and grammar.
• Assist with the program/curriculum development for the competency restoration population. Reviews restoration unit referrals and makes appropriate treatment recommendations.
• Maintains necessary data tracking including daily group attendance log of patients attending group for statistical inventory and other related reports.
• Participate in morning report meetings staff meetings facility meetings as identified by Program Manager and participates in staff program meetings to discuss information and enhance effective service coordination and planning.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A masters degree in guidance counseling the social sciences or a related field.

Additional Requirements

• Professional experience in guidance counseling or the social sciences and two (2) years of experience in a clinical setting.

• Ability to bend stoop lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds or more in an emergency situation climb stairs and the ability to move freely throughout the entire facility. Weekends and hazardous weather coverage.
• Attends core competency training (MANDT CPR) as scheduled and completes assigned Pathlore trainings online in required time frame and completes all other required trainings as identified.

Knowledge and experience in psychosocial rehabilitation and forensic inpatient setting.
Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Post hire employees must:

• Have the ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing with patients and staff.
• Possess a current and valid SC Drivers license.
• Have knowledge of nursing procedures personal hygiene basic health and safety practices basic human anatomy.
• Computer skills sufficient to complete essential job duties.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion sex (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation) national origin age (40 or older) disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health dental vision long-term disability and life insurance for employees spouse and children. Click here for additional information.
• 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)

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.