Mental Health Professional I - School Mental Health

Mental Health Professional I - School Mental Health

Salary

$51,039.00 - $77,000.00 Annually

Location

Lexington County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

189054

Agency

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Division

Lexington County Community Mental Health Center

Opening Date

06/24/2026

Closing Date

7/29/2026 11:59 AM Eastern

Class Code:

GA55

Position Number:

60012289

Normal Work Schedule:

Other

Normal Work Schedule (Other):

Please follow your schools schedule for work time

Pay Grade

GEN08

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

You must apply on-line at www.careers.sc.gov. Follow the status of your application on-line.

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

• Description
• Benefits

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 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, Lexington County Community Mental Health Center, 305 Palmetto Park Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072. This position provides school mental health counseling services as an embedded mental health professional.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional:

• Provide clinical assessments, individual, family and group treatment, as well as crises intervention services for assigned patients utilizing a variety of therapeutic and best practice approaches, following access to care guidelines, caseload limit recommendations, and continuity of care procedures. Provide clinical services in accordance with the LCCMHC Patient Care Hours Policy with 803 hours annually of work time in provision of direct patient services
• 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
• Provide consultation and training on mental health issues to our community partners (schools) on an as needed basis. Respond to non-patient mental health crises in the assigned school
• Complete documentation according to AW/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, Cultural Affairs, and clinical trainings. Demonstrate adherence to CARF standards, and OMH and Center policies and procedures

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A Masters' degree in guidance, counseling, or the social sciences or a related field.
• Must be licensed or willing and able to become licensed as LMSW, LMFT, or LPC by the state of South Carolina within the first year of employment.

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 5lbs. and operate a state vehicle. Position requires some additional travel due to being a community-based position (travel between schools and required meetings). It is considered essential and may be called back in during crises/disasters/emergencies.

Preferred Qualifications

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 the ability to listen and understand and 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.
• Attend routine scheduled supervision by supervisor and must participate in monthly consultation groups.
• Attend supervision provided by psychiatrist via interdisciplinary staffing meetings.
• Be subject to SCOMH/ABMHC policies/procedures.
• Be able to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) Certification.

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.

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.