Mental Health Professional I / Highway to Hope (Aiken)

Mental Health Professional I / Highway to Hope (Aiken)

Salary

$51,039.00 - $59,622.00 Annually

Location

Aiken County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

194112

Agency

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Division

Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center

Opening Date

10/23/2026

Closing Date

11/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Class Code:

GA55

Position Number:

60009309

Normal Work Schedule:

Other

Normal Work Schedule (Other):

RV activities may require periodic early morning/evening and weekend work.

Pay Grade

GEN08

Hiring Range - Min.

$51,039.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$59,622.00

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.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Responsibilities

Are you passionate about making a real difference in peoples 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 / Highway to Hope (Aiken) who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate lifes 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. Position will be delivering services as part of the Highway to Hope Mobile Mental Health RV Program. This position requires travel between clinics & community. Services are provided in the community/clinic.

As a Mental Health Professional, I/Highway to Hope (Aiken) you will under general supervision, provide recovery oriented counseling and related behavioral healthcare services, and/or case mangement functions in Mobile Unit (RV).

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I / Highway to Hope (Aiken):

• Provide an array of clinical services and meets patient care hour expectations as indicated on the EPMS. Services may include but are not limited to assessment,

treatment planning, crisis management, individual, group, and/or family therapy, and case-coordination.

• Service are delivered in a patient-centered, recovery-oriented manner.
• Service are provided with patient input and documented in accordance with Quality Assurance (QA) and other required standards.
• Requirements may include but are not limited to: appropriate discharge planning, and timely and thorough completion of collaborative documentation, DLA-20s, Plans of Care, Progress Summaries, and Safety Plans.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with patients, internal staff, and external community partners in order to facilitate linkages to services and provide quality treatment.
• Participate in meetings, supervision, and interagency staffing as needed.
• Pursue professional development through collegial consultation, supervision, continuing education, training and licensure/certification as applicable.
• Maintain all required certifications and licenses.
• Complie with Corporate Compliance policy; all state and federal laws; all agency and center policies and procedures.
• Help ensure area is CARF accredited.
• Mentoring/supervising practicum students/interns.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A Masters' degree in guidance, counseling, or the social sciences or a related field.
• Licensed or meets the requirements for licensure eligibility as a LPC, LISW-CP, or LMFT.
• Must be willing to pursue licensure in SC within six months of hire date.
• Additional Requirements:
• 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.
• Ability to lift 5 pounds and operate a state vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Additional Comments

Post hire, employees must:

• Have practical therapeutic knowledge of principles, methods, and counseling practices and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and mental disorders.
• Have ability to listen and understand and effectively communicate information and ideas so that others will understand.
• Have knowledge of psychopathology, family dynamics, family and group psychotherapy.
• Have the ability to identify and effectively utilize resources available in the community to accomplish objectives.
• Have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families and representatives of other professional disciplines.
• Have the ability to present clear and comprehensive oral and written reports.
• Have the ability to utilize an electronic health record.
• Have the ability to operate and drive an RV.
• Be able to attend Supervision, which may vary from direct to general osupervision and guidance dependent upon the candidates experience and responsibilities.
• Be responsible for BHDD and Center policies and procedures.
• Follow ABMHC/OMH policies and procedures.
• Hold a valid drivers license and have dependable and reliable transportation.
• Be able to climb steps into vehicle and lift 20lbs.
• Be able to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) Certification.

This position is considered essential and may be called back during crises/disasters/emergencies.

This position requires the ability to operate mobile mental health vehicle (RV) and set-up.

Requires travel between clinics & community. Services are provided in the community/clinic.

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.

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

Please check the box(es) if you have ever been employed by the following Offices of SC Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

• Office of Mental Health (OMH) (formerly SC Department of Mental Health)
• Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD) (formerly SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs)
• Office of Substance Use Services (OSUS) (formerly SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services)
• Does Not Apply

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

Have you ever held a permanent (full-time equivalent) position with a SC state agency and/or been an employee of a SC school district?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you currently work for a SC state facility as a contract employee or as a state employee?

• Yes
• No

05

Did you graduate with at least a Masters degree in social work, counseling, guidance, or the social sciences from an accredited university or college?

• Yes
• No

06

Please select all of the courses that you 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

How many years of post-graduate clinical experience do you possess?

09

What evidence-based practice are you proficient in using?

10

Do you have a license - LISW-CP, LISW, LMSW, LPC, etc.? If so, what state are you licensed in and how long have you been licensed?

11

Are you eligible for licensure?

• Yes
• No

12

If you are not currently licensed, have you completed all coursework required for the licensure according to SC LLR?

• Yes
• No

13

If you are not currently licensed, have you taken and passed the licensure exam? If not, when do you plan to take the exam?

14

Have you ever 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? If yes, provide a statement explaining the facts, name of the professional licensing board or body, any action taken by that board or body, and your current status with that board or body.

15

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 that board or body, and your current status with that board or body.

16

If you are licensed in another state have you consulted with the South Carolina Labor and Licensing Board to see if you are eligible for licensure in South Carolina? Please specify current state licensed in.

17

Do you possess a valid Drivers License and good driving record?

• Yes
• No

18

Do you have experience driving larger vehicles? If so, what type and size of vehicle?

19

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

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Address 400 Otarre Parkway

Cayce, South Carolina, 29033

Phone OIDD - (803)898-9600

OMH - (803) 898-8600

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.