Mental Health Professional I (Columbia Area Mental Health Center/ACT)

Job Description

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Mental Health Professional I, who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.
This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Columbia Area Mental Health Center, 2715 Colonial Dr #100, Columbia, SC 29203.
As the Mental Health Professional I, you will serve on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team delivering intensive, mobile, and evidence-based services directly in the community to foster recovery and stabilization for individuals with mental illness.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:
• Deliver direct, recovery-oriented care to ACT beneficiaries by teaching evidence-based coping strategies and facilitating independent living skills training to promote long-term mental health stability.

• Employ assertive engagement strategies to build rapport and actively connect with hard-to-reach beneficiaries.

• Facilitate the person-centered planning process for an assigned caseload, ensuring individual goals, preferences, and strengths drive the care plan.

• Navigate and connect beneficiaries to vital community services, resources, and external agencies while building robust local support networks.

• Conduct screenings and comprehensive assessments for new referrals, actively contributing to the development and revision of Individualized Continuity Plans (ICPs).

• Provide family psychoeducation and collaborate with beneficiaries' natural support systems to foster a holistic environment for recovery.

• Engage in daily multidisciplinary team meetings and clinical supervision, offering expert consultation on complex cases and participating in continuous professional development.

• Demonstrate cultural humility and an appreciation for individual and group differences across all interactions.

• Maintain active certifications in evidence-based practices and integrate these modalities effectively into daily clinical interventions.

• Ensure strict compliance with QA and OMH standards, corporate compliance policies, and risk management plans through timely documentation and prior authorization management.

• A master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or a related field.

• Licensed as an LISW, LLISW-CP, LMFT, or LPC in the state of South Carolina.

• A degree from an accredited college or university in a program that is primarily psychological in nature.

• One (1) year of professional experience working with adults who have a serious mental illness with experience within a South Carolina state agency.

In order to be credentialed for core services as a Mental Health Professional at the SC Office of Mental Health, 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.
Additional Requirements:
• Ability to lift up to 5 pounds and maintain a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle.

• Ability to work in an essential-personnel capacity, including call-backs during crises, natural disasters, or emergencies.

• Ability to actively participate as a core member of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule to deliver care across various community settings and patient's homes.

• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Post hire, employees must:
• Advanced understanding of counseling principles, diagnostic methods, and evidence-based treatment practices for mental health disorders and behavioral challenges.

• Deep knowledge of psychopathology, family systems, group dynamics, and specialized psychological conditions.

• Strong active listening skills paired with the ability to articulate complex information clearly and compassionately to individuals.

• Proven ability to prepare and deliver comprehensive, clear, and structured oral and written reports.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

A master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or a related field. • Licensed as an LISW, LLISW-CP, LMFT, or LPC in the state of South Carolina. • A degree from an accredited college or university in a program that is primarily psychological in nature. • One (1) year of professional experience working with adults who have a serious mental illness with experience within a South Carolina state agency. In order to be credentialed for core services as a Mental Health Professional at the SC Office of Mental Health, 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.