Mental Health Professional II/Forensic Team-WCMH, Santee-Wateree, Tri-County & Pee Dee

Mental Health Professional II/Forensic Team

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 II/Forensic 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, Waccamaw Center Mental Health, all counties/office for Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties. This position MAY be eligible for SCDMH Student Loan Repayment to cover some of the cost of your outstanding loan(s) balance associated with the completion of a healthcare degree that is relevant to the appliable position. As the Mental Health Professional II/Forensic Team you will be under general supervision of the mental health staff and with training and direction from forensic services, the outpatient forensic support MHP II will work to support patients at high risk of repeated criminal justice involvement. This position supports WCMH clinics in Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg counties. This position is essential and staff will have to provide hazardous weather coverage. Weekend and after-hours schedules are rare but necessary. In state travel is required using state vehicles.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Profession II/Team Lead/ACT Program include:

• Follow and attempt to engage forensic VIP patients at WCMH and/or in jail.
• Assess patients for emergency or judicial commitment and file commitment papers.
• Mentor all individuals awaiting forensic admission and provide updates to the center and forensic director to include notifying appropriate parties when patient is on a therapeutic bond and does not show up for scheduled injection.
• Notify the FES Consults email box when VIP client is arrested.
• Assist OMH forensic staff in contacting defendants involved in forensic evaluation process to include assisting with scheduling virtual or in-person sessions at WCMH with off-site forensic staff members.
• Support discharge and release planning in collaboration with the Office of Transition Programs, to include, but not limited to, assisting with obtaining identifying documents and other verifications necessary to establish a financial platform. Must obtain all required signatures and identify substitute decision makers as needed.
• Refer appropriate forensic VIP patients to appropriate programming at the WCMH (i.e. ACT Teams, Homeless Programs, Navigate, etc.)
• Ensure all services are documented in accordance with BHDD/QA requirements.
• Provide the appropriate evidence-based therapy to treatment resistant patient such at CBT-p.
• Must be able to present clear and comprehensive oral and written reports to co-workers and others.

Minimum and Additional Requirements:

• A master's degree in guidance, counseling or the social sciences or a related field, and professional experience in a mental health, human service or social services programs.
• Must have two years of experience in a clinical setting.
Additional Requirements:
• Must be able to meet OMH credentialing requirements which include specific graduate course work including Psychopathology Course, Psychopathology Diagnostic Course, Clinical Assessment – Practice with Family Therapy (DSM) – or any related assessment course and Ethics Course – related to medical profession.
• Must be able to show evidence of clinical experience providing direct patient care. This experience may be documented as practicum, internship or post-graduate experience.
• Need sufficient computer skills to complete all essential job duties.
• Clear communication both verbally and in writing with patients and staff is required as well as professional communication with community and justice stakeholders.
• Work independently and use good judgement and critical thinking.
• Ability to lift up to twenty-five 2(5) pounds, ability to see, hear at a normal volume, stand, walk, bend, stoop and climb at least two (2) flights of stairs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.
• Licensure, knowledge and experience in criminal justice setting.
• Experience with individual and group counseling.

Additional Comments:

• Post Hire, employee must:
• Be able to provide 10-year DMV Driving Record.
• Be able to use a state vehicle for work related purposes.
• Must be able to identify and effectively utilize resources available in the community to accomplish objectives.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families and representatives of other professional disciplines.
• High degree of working independently and being self-motivated is expected.

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.