Qualified Mental Health Professional I / Act Team (Charleston)

Qualified Mental Health Professional

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 Qualified Mental Health Professional 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, Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center, 2100 Charlie Hall Blvd, Charleston SC 29414. Serving on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team you as the QMHP will provide evidenced based services in an intensive non-residential treatment and rehabilitative services in accordance with the fidelity model. This is a single fixed point of responsibility for treatment, rehabilitation, and support needs for patients with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) who require higher levels of community care and have not been well supported in lower level of care options.

Responsibilities for the Qualified Mental Health Professional:

• Provide direct services to ACT patients guiding them in the development of skills/strategics towards achieving and maintaining good mental health and facilitating training of independent living skills. Utilizes assertive engagement to engage beneficiaries in service.
• Assist patients with access to community services, resources and agencies and establishing support networks in the community. Utilize the patient's natural supports.
• Complete screenings and assessments for referrals and assist with development and revisions of instructional continuity plans (ICP).
• Provide family psychoeducation and works with beneficiary's natural supports.
• Lead the person-centered planning process for patients of the ACT program.
• Participate in clinical supervision, treatment team meetings, pursue professional development, and demonstrate effective use of social and interpersonal knowledge and skills and demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of individual and group differences and similarities; Effectively utilize and maintain certification of evidence-based practices. Attend treatment team meetings daily and provide consultation regarding complex cases as appropriate.
• Complete documentation according to QA/SCBHDD standards, comply with Corporate Compliance Policy and Risk Management Plan, and ensure timely completion of prior authorizations.
• Complete all annual required trainings to include Safety, MAPS, Cultural Affairs, and clinical trainings. Demonstrate adherence to CARF standards, and SCBHDD and Center policies and Procedures.

Minimum and Additional Requirements:

• A master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or a related field.
• 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.
• This position requires the ability to bend, stoop, climb, drive from location to location, and lift up to 5 pounds.
• This position is considered essential and may require reporting for duty in the event of weather or similar emergency events.
• Licensed as an LISW-CP, LMFT, or LPC in the state of S.C. and master's or doctoral degree from a program that is primarily psychological in nature from an accredited university and one year of experience working with adults with Serious Mental Illness, working for a S.C. State Agency.
• One year experience working with adults diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness.

Additional Comments:

• Have practical therapeutic knowledge of principles, methods and counseling practices and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of addictions and mental disorders.
• The ability to listen an understand and communicate information and ideas so that others will understand.
• Knowledge of psychopathology, family dynamics, family and group psychotherapy.
• Ability to identify and effectively utilize resources available in the community to accomplish objectives.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families and representatives of other professional disciplines.

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.
• 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.