Counselor II / Employment Support, ACT Team (Aiken)

State of South Carolina; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

13 paid holidays

15 vacation days per year

S.C. Deferred Compensation program

Retirement options (SCRS/ORP)

Job summary

State of South Carolina, Office of Mental Health, is seeking a Counselor II / Employment Support for the ACT Team in Aiken. You will work within an Assertive Community Treatment framework to help individuals with serious mental illness gain competitive employment in community settings.

Responsibilities include vocational assessments, job development, follow-along supports, benefits counseling, and collaboration with employers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in guidance, counseling or social sciences required.
• Experience working with adults with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and providing employment/education supports preferred.

Responsibilities

• Engage patients to build trust and support competitive employment.
• Conduct vocational assessments focused on strengths and preferences.
• Develop and conduct job development and search activities aligned with IPS and supported employment.
• Provide follow-along services to sustain employment.
• Offer psychosocial rehabilitation services related to employment.
• Manage caseload and maintain medical records per policies.
• Document collaboratively with patients and caregivers; update EMR promptly.
• Provide benefits counseling and connect to experts as needed.
• Offer on-site support and interventions to promote stability.
• Consult with employers on accommodations and support.
• Educate ACT team on evidence-based supported employment (IPS).
• Participate in clinical and administrative meetings.
• Adhere to CARF, OMH policies and annual trainings.

Skills

Counseling

Empathy

Case management

Interpersonal skills

Communication

IPS model knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in guidance, counseling or social sciences

Job description

Job Responsibilities

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 Counselor II / Employment Support, ACT Team (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.

As the Counselor II / Employment Support, ACT Team (Aiken), you will under general supervision, serves on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team who provides evidenced based services in an intensive non-residential treatment and rehabilitative services in accordance with the fidelity model . This is a single fixed point of responsibility for treatment, rehabilitation, and support needs for patients with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) who require higher levels of community care and have not been well supported in lower level of care options.

Responsibilities for the Counselor II / Employment Support, ACT Team (Aiken)

• Engage patients who receive services from the ACT Team and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in integrated, community job settings.
• Complete a vocational assessment that is focused on the patient's strengths, preferences, and on-the-job assessments when appropriate.
• Conduct job development and job search activities directed toward the positions that are individualized and consistent with the needs and interests of clients on his/her caseload, following the principles and procedures of IPS and supported employment.
• Provide individualized, time unlimited follow along services to assist patients in sustaining employment.
• Provide Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services (PRS) in reference to employment services.
• Manage a caseload of up to 20 patients and maintain medical record documentation standards in accordance with all Center, QA, OMH, and CARF policies and procedures.
• Complete Collaborative Documentation with the patient and/or caregiver and commits to EMR immediately after the delivery of service whenever possible.
• Provide benefits counseling directly as well as connects beneficiaries to experts for more extensive benefits counseling as needed.
• Provide interventions, outreach and on the job site support to promote stability and ensure success.
• Provide consultative services to Employers which may include negotiating job accommodations.
• Serve as a consultant and educator to fellow ACT team members on the topic of evidence-based supportive employment, which is the Individual Placement and Supports (IPS) model.
• Participate as an active member of the Clinical treatment team, engages in supervisory and administrative meetings.
• Adhere to Corporate Compliance and Risk Management policies.
• Demonstrate adherence to CARF standards, ACT Fidelity and OMH/ABMHC policies and procedures.
• Complete all annual required trainings to include Safety, MAPS, and clinical trainings.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in guidance, counseling or the social sciences and professional experience in human services or social services programs.
• At least one years' experience working with adults with SMI and at least 6 months providing employment and educational supports.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to lift 5 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

• Qualify to render services applicable to position per credentialing and priviledging standards and with concurrence by OMH Office of Quality Management.
• Have considerable knowledge of the techniques of interviewing, counseling and guidance.
• Have the ability to establish rapport with the patients.
• Have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agencies, organizations and other community partners.
• Have the ability to communicate effectively.
• Be provided supervision by ACT team leader and Psychiatric Team Lead.
• Be governed by Center and OMH policy and procedure.

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

Position will be part of the Assertive Community Treatment Team.

Requires flexible schedule.

Services are delivered in the community and patients' homes.

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.