Mental Health Professional I /Transition Specialist

Mental Health Professional I /Transition Specialist

Salary

$52,570.00 - $61,275.00 Annually

Location

Richland County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

194861

Agency

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Division

Greater Bryan Psychiatric Hospital

Opening Date

11/04/2026

Closing Date

11/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Class Code:

GA55

Position Number:

60008911

Normal Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)

Pay Grade

GEN08

Hiring Range - Min.

$52,570.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$61,275.00

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 SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Mental Health Professional I / Transition Specialist 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 (BHDD) - G. Werber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital (Adult Services), 220 Faison Dr, Columbia, SC 29203

Under general supervision of the Transition Specialist Program Manager I for the Office of Transitions Programs, identify and execute activities that result in patient discharge from inpatient settings to integrated community residences and community-based behavioral health services, to include discharge plan development, accessing residential setting, patient assessment and linking to community-based providers.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:

• Quality Management: Responsible for conducting CMHC Initial Clinical Assessments and DLA20s with patients choosing CMHC for outpatient provider to support continuity of services from inpatient to outpatient settings; coordinates and locates community-based residential settings options, based on patients discharge plan; collects data for performance improvement; Utilize the Avatar and EMR to document services provided; complete accurate and timely reports (such as Designed Examiner reports) to management as required.
• Leadership: coordinates staffing with CMHC regarding program placement for patient when discharged; provides face-to-face and/or video introduction of patient to community providers to include care coordinator and peer support specialist; attends treatment team meetings, discharge committee meetings, patient staffings and discharge planning staffings to provide community-based resources and/or options for discharge planning.
• Initiative: identifies, collects and routinely updates an inventory of integrated community-based residences for Transition Team distribution/resource directory; brokers needed community resources/services and develops resources where gaps exist.
• Skill Enhancement: completes core competency trainings (such as SCEIS, MANDT, MAPS, etc.) and other job-related trainings as required or assigned; will maintain professional licensure (as applicable) and maintain knowledge of and enforce policies and procedures.

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.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A Masters' degree in guidance, counseling or the social sciences or a related field and professional experience in human services or social services program.

Additional Requirements:

• This position is located in the Office of Transition Programs but will work in the community and in assigned mental health locations, CMHCs, DIS hospitals.
• Requires the ability to bend, stoop, climb, drive from location to location, lift and file.
• Must perform duties in multiple settings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.
• Extensive knowledge of psychopathology and patient management within a psychiatric setting.
• Position will work under general supervision of Program Manager I, demonstrate initiative, good judgement, and be responsible, dependable and diligent.

Additional Comments

Post Hire, Employee Must:

• Possess ability to access and coordinate interaction between multi-disciplinary staff when needed.
• Have thorough knowledge of methods, principles, and practices of clinical counseling and education services.
• Have extensive knowledge of psychopathology and patient management within a psychiatric setting.
• Be able to problem-solve and utilize a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach to patient transition.
• Possess laptop computer skills, able to utilize a web-based database system of reporting, be highly organized and able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

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.

60008911

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 applicable box(es) if you have you ever been employed by the following Offices of the South Carolina Department Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

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

02

Please indicate your understanding to the following statement by checking Yes below: 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.

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a masters degree in Guidance, Counseling or the social sciences or a related field?

• Yes
• No

04

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?

• Yes
• No

05

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

06

Please note that you are being hired under a probationary status for one (1) year, contingent upon the completion of three of the four courses listed below, which are required for this position. Please check the courses that you have already completed that are listed on your transcript. If you have not completed a total of three of the four listed courses within one (1) year from date of hire, you will no longer be eligible to provide services, resulting in immediate removal from your position up to and including termination.

• Clinical Assessment
• Psycho Diagnostics
• Psychopathology
• Ethics

07

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.