Job Description

Posting number: 192237

Department: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Division: Pee Dee Mental Health Center

Job classification: Mental Health Professional I

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Counseling

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 - Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) 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, Pee Dee Mental Health Center, 125 E. Cheves Street, Florence, SC 29506.

In this position, you will serve on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team providing evidence based services in an intensive, non-residential treatment and rehabilitative facility 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 levels of care options.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional - Licensed Addiction Counselor:

• Conduct comprehensive substance use assessments, assesses and tracks beneficiary's stages of change readiness and stages of treatment.
• Ensure patients are seen in accordance with their needs and the team's treatment approaches are consistent with beneficiary's stages of change readiness.
• Facilitate access to 12-step groups and other community groups.
• Provide direct services to patients using cognitive behavioral approaches and relapse prevention; use outreach and motivational interviewing techniques in earlier stages of change readiness.
• Facilitate the person centered planning process for beneficiaries assigned to them.
• Participate in clinical supervision, treatment team meetings, and pursues professional development.
• Serve as a consultant and educator to ACT team members on the topic of integrated dual disorder treatment.
• Complete documentation according to QA/OMH 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, and clinical trainings. Demonstrate adherence to CARF standards and OMH and Center policies and procedures.

Examples of duties

• Master's degree in Guidance, Counseling, the Social Sciences or other related fields.
• Direct patient care experience in a clinical setting, either post-Masters or during your graduate program.
• Be a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Masters Addiction Counselor (MAC), or a Masters Level Certified Addiction Counselor in the State of South Carolina.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to lift 5lbs. and operate a state vehicle.
  
• This position is considered essential and may be called back during crises/disasters/emergencies; flexible schedules are required.
• Position will be part of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team.
• Services are delivered in the community and the patient's homes.

Qualifications

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

Supplemental information

Post hire, employees must:

• Will have practical therapeutic knowledge of principles, methods, and counseling practices and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of addictions and mental disorders.
• Be able to listen and understand and communicate information and ideas so that others will understand.
• Have knowledge of psychopathology, family dynamics, family and group psychotherapy.
• Be able to identify and effectively utilize resources available in the community to accomplish objectives.
• Be able 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. 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.