Mental Health Professional / School-Based Aiken & Barnwell County (Aiken)

Mental Health Professional / School-Based Aiken & Barnwell County (Aiken)

Salary

$51,039.00 - $72,000.00 Annually

Location

Aiken County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

191211

Agency

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Division

Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center

Opening Date

08/10/2026

Closing Date

9/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Class Code:

GA55

Position Number:

60030393

Normal Work Schedule:

Other

Normal Work Schedule (Other):

Monday - Friday (7:30-4:00)

Pay Grade

GEN08

Hiring Range - Min.

$51,039.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$72,000.00

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 School-Based Mental Health Professional I for Aiken & Barnwell County, 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. This position provides school mental health counseling services as an embedded mental health professional in schools throughout Aiken and Barnwell Counties.

The Mental Health Professional I/School-Based Aiken & Barnwell County will under general supervision, provides recovery oriented counseling and related behavioral healthcare services, and/or case management functions.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I/School-Based Aiken & Barnwell County include:

• Provide an array of clinical services and meets Patient Care Hour expectations as indicated on the EPMS.
• Service to patients may be provided in the clinic, community, and/or patient homes. Services include but are not limited to, assessment; treatment planning; crisis management; individual, group, and/or family therapy; and case coordination.
• Deliver services in a person-centered, recovery-oriented manner.
• Provide services 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.
• Comply with Corporate Compliance Policy; all State and Federal laws; all Agency and Center policies and procedures.
• Help ensure area is CARF accredited.
• Pursue professional development through collegial consultation, supervision, continuing education, training, and licensure/ certification as applicable.
• Maintain all required certifications and licenses.
• Mentoring/supervising practicum students and interns.

This position MAY be eligible for BHDD-OMH 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 Counseling, Social Work, or related field that meets the requirements for licensure eligibility as a LPC, LISW-CP, or LMFT.
• Must qualify for credentialing and privileging as a mental health professional and in accordance with quality assurance standards and with concurrence by BHDD-Office of Mental Health Quality Management.

Additional Requirements:

• In order to be credentialed for core services as a Mental Health Professional at the BHDD-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 10 pounds and operate a state vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Additional Comments

Post hire, employees must:

• Have knowledge of counseling practices, including knowledge of psychopathology, diagnosing, and treatment of behavioral health disorders including mental illness.
• Have the ability to listen and understand and effectively communicate information and ideas.
• Have some knowledge of psychopathology and patient management within the psychiatric setting.
• Have the ability to effectively communicate and establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, families, other professionals, and community partners.
• Have some knowledge of basic health and welfare services provided by other public and private agencies.
• Have the ability to utilize electronic health record.
• Attend general supervision and guidance, dependent upon on-the-job experience and responsibilities.
• Be responsible for BHDD and Center policies and procedures and State policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Hold a valid Drivers License and have dependable and reliable transportation.
• Travel between clinics, homes community and schools as required.
• Be able to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) Certification.

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

This position may serve schools in Aiken and Barnwell Counties. Services are provided in the clinic, community, schools, or the patients home.

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

Have you ever been employed by the SC Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities - Office of Mental Health (OMH) (formerly SC Department of Mental Health)?

• Yes
• No

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

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

04

Please select all of the courses that you completed in graduate school.

• Ethics
• Psychopathology
• Psychodiagnostics
• Assessment
• None of the above courses have been completed.

05

What evidence-based practice are you proficient in using?

06

Do you have direct patient care experience in a clinical setting, either post-Masters or during your graduate program (i.e., internship or practicum)?

• Yes
• No

07

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

08

Do you have a license - LISW-CP, LISW, LMSW, LPC, etc.?

• Yes
• No

09

If you answered yes to the above question, what state are you licensed in and how long have you been licensed?

10

Are you eligible for licensure?

• Yes
• No

11

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

• Yes
• No

12

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

13

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.

14

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.

15

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.

16

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.