Mental Health Professional II / Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Aiken)

Posting number: 191039

Department: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Division: Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center

Job classification: Mental Health Professional II

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Mental Health, Human Services, Counseling

Summary

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 - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Aiken) 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, Aiken Barnwell Mental Health Center, 1135 Gregg Highway, Aiken, SC 29801.

The Mental Health Professional II - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Aiken) under general supervision, will provide assessment/counseling interventions/treatment to patients with serious mental illnesses, developmental disorders, and/or autism spectrum disorders and will ensure linkages for therapeutic needs to promote wellbeing for patients.
Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional II - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Aiken):

• Provide evidenced based services to children, adolescents, & adults, provide individual psychotherapy using developmentally adapted evidence-based practices.
• Provide family therapy and caregiver coaching to support skill development at home and in the community. 
• Conduct intake assessments and treatment planning using IDD/MI/SED appropriate tools and strategies. 
• Use trauma-informed, non-coercive crisis de-escalation strategies. 
• Conduct modified suicide risk and crisis assessments that consider communication limitations. 
• Develop Personal Safety Plan. 
• Modify therapeutic materials to meet the cognitive, sensory, and communication needs of each client. 
• Incorporate visual supports, social stories, modeling, video modeling, and structured teaching strategies into therapy. 
• Ensure patients are seen as per LOC guidelines; address patient barriers to services; ensure crises are staffed; ensure internal & external customer satisfaction. 
• Meet patient care hour standards. 
• Work closely with families, caregivers, case managers, school personnel, residential staff, ABA providers, and other treatment team members. 
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and provide input.
• Coordinate care to ensure consistency across settings. 
• Complete documentation is according to QI policies.
• Document services and contracts to patients.
• Keep billing disallowances to a minimum. Produce outcomes and/or progress summaries that reflect patient improvement.
• Write objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time limited. Write objectives and interventions that address patients' SNAPs. 
• Meet collaborative documentation standards. 
• Adhere to Center, OMH, & State Corporate Compliance policies, procedures, and responsibilities. 
• Make good faith effort to report violations/
• Does not intentionally violate laws regulating the provision of health care. Adhere to Code of Conduct. 
• Participate in ongoing professional development. 
• Maintain license/certifications. 
• Comply with training requirements. 
• Attend supervision. Participate in other meetings as required. 

For MHP Student Loan Repayment:

This position MAY be eligible for SCOMH 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.

Examples of duties

•  A Master's degree and professional experience in guidance, counseling or the social sciences and two (2) years of experience in clinical setting.

Additional Requirements

• Follows all established SCOMH policies and procedures.  
• Ability to bend, stoop, climb, drive from location to location, lift and file. 

Qualifications

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

Supplemental information

Post hire, employees must: 

• Have sound theoretical knowledge of principles, methods, counseling practices, and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral, developmental, autistic, and mental disorders.
• Have the ability to listen and understand, and effectively communicate information and ideas so that others will understand. 
• Have some knowledge of psychopathology and patient management within the behavioral health setting. 
• Have some knowledge of basic health and welfare services provided by other public and private agencies. 
• Have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families and representatives of other professional disciplines.
• Be an experienced therapist who manages assigned cases and makes clinical decisions regarding their clients, largely independent of their
  supervisor. These clinical decisions include therapeutic treatment (both in frequency and intensity), client follow-up, decisions or linkage to the
  physician, and medication coordination.
• Be responsible for developing the treatment plan with the client establishing treatment goals and objectives. On a daily basis you will work with clients in crisis, making decisions that may involve the safety and wellbeing of client.
• Follows all established SCOMH policies and procedures.
• Be able to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) Certification. 
• Be able to operate a state vehicle.

This position is considered Essential. Therefore, you may be asked to report to work even if the center is closed during an emergency.

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.