Mental Health Professional I - Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team- (Lexington)

Salary: $51,039.00 - $59,622.00 Annually
Location : Lexington County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 188021
Agency: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Division: Lexington County Community Mental Health Center
Opening Date: 05/06/2026
Closing Date: 6/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: GA55
Position Number:: 60013150
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: CLN08
Hiring Range - Min.: $51,039.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $59,622.00
Opening Date: 05/06/2026
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education using verifiable dates.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.


Job Responsibilities
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 for our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team 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, Lexington County Community Mental Health Center, 301 Palmetto Park Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072.


As the Mental Health Professional I, you will serve on an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team providing 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 Mental Health Professional I :

• 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. Utilize assertive engagement to engage patients in service.
• Assist patients with access to community services, resources and agencies and establishing support networks in the community.
• Complete screenings and assessments for referrals and assist with development and revisions of instructional continuity plans (ICP).
• Provide family psychoeducation and works with patient's natural supports.
• Facilitate the person-centered planning process for patients assigned to them.
• Participate in clinical supervision, treatment team meetings, pursue professional development, and demonstrate effective use of social and interpersonal knowledge and skills and demonstrate 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/OMH standards, Complies 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 OMH and Center policies and Procedures.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A Master's degree in guidance, counseling, or the social sciences or related field. Internal requirements: Must be licensed or eligible for licensure in SC and willing to work towards licensure in SC within first six months of employment. One year experience working with adults diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness.
• Additional Requirements
  • Ability to lift 5lbs and operate a state vehicle.
  • Position is essential and may be called back during crisis/disasters.
  • Requires Flexible schedule
  • Services are delivered in the community and patient's homes.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Additional Comments

Post hire, employee must have:

• Practical therapeutic knowledge of principles, methods and counseling practices and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and mental disorders.
• The ability to listen and understand and communicate information and ideas so that others will understand. Knowledge of psychopathology, family dynamics, family and group psychotherapy, and crisis management. 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. Ability to present clear and comprehensive oral and written reports.

Position is considered essential and may be called back during crises/disasters/emergencies. Position will be part of the Assertive Community Treatment Team. Requires flexible schedule. Services are delivered in the community and patients' homes.

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 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
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan
  • State Optional Retirement Program

*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.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.


Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.


Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.


Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.


Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01


Have you ever been employed by the SC Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities - Office of Mental Health (OMH) (formerly SC Department of Mental Health)?

• Yes
• No

02


If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense (other than in a Juvenile Court), you MUST list this information (unless you have taken steps to expunge your record.) This includes fraudulent checks, driving under suspension, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, etc. *Please note that conviction of a criminal offense does not bar you from employment in all cases; each conviction is evaluated individually. However, failure to list convictions is considered falsification of the application and WILL BE grounds for termination, if hired. It is your responsibility to know what is on your criminal record. If you have charges on your record that appear without a court disposition (result) you may be asked to provide that information if selected for employment. If you have questions, please inquire before you complete your application.PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ANSWERING THIS QUESTION WILL DEEM YOUR APPLICATION AS INCOMPLETE AND IT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.Please indicate your understanding to this statement by checking the box below.

• Checking this box indicates my understanding to the above referenced statement.

03


Are you a graduate of an accredited college/university with at least a master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or related field?

• Yes
• No

04


Are you licensed or eligible for licensure in SC and willing to work towards licensure in SC within first six months of employment?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have one year of experience working with adults diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness?

• Yes
• No

06


Please select all of the courses that you have completed in graduate school.

• Ethics
• Psychopathology
• Psychodiagnostics
• Assessment
• None of the above courses have been completed.

07


Do you have direct patient care experience in a clinical setting, either post-Masters or during your graduate program (i.e., internship or practicum)? If so, please be sure that it is listed in your application and/or resume.

• Yes
• No

08


Have you been denied a professional license, or had a professional license revoked or limited by, and/or had any discipline or sanction imposed on you or your practice by a professional licensing board or body?

• Yes
• No

09


If you answered Yes to the question above, please provide a statement explaining the facts, name of the professional licensing board or body, any action taken by the board or body and your current status with that board or body.
10


Please indicate your salary requirements (please be specific and not put "negotiable" or "open").
Required Question