Mental Health Professional II /Outpatient Forensic Support (Charleston)

State of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Deferred compensation

SCRS retirement

State ORP

Job summary

State of South Carolina’s Office of Mental Health seeks a Mental Health Professional II to provide outpatient forensic support across BHDD-OMH regions. You will engage individuals, assess commitments, and coordinate discharge planning with transition programs while applying evidence‑based therapies such as CBT-p.

You must have a master’s degree in counseling or related field plus 2 years of clinical experience, plus credentials for core BHDD-OMH services. A valid SC driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in guidance, counseling or social sciences with 2 years clinical experience.
• Credentialing for core BHDD-OMH services required.
• Experience delivering evidence-based therapy (CBT-p) to treatment‑resistant patients.

Responsibilities

• Engage Forensic VIP patients at the center and/or in jail.
• Assess for emergency or judicial commitment; file commitment papers.
• Monitor individuals awaiting forensic admission; provide updates to center director and forensic director; notify parties when patient on a therapeutic bond misses an injection; inform FES as appropriate.
• Assist BHDD forensic staff in contacting defendants involved in the forensic evaluation process; schedule virtual or in-person sessions at the center with off-site forensic staff.
• Support discharge and release planning with the Office of Transition Programs; obtain documents, verify identities, and identify decision makers as needed.
• Refer Forensic VIP patients to appropriate programs (ACT Teams, Navigate, Homeless Programs) and for treatment within the jail.
• Provide evidence-based therapy (e.g., CBT-p) to treatment resistant patients.

Skills

Forensic counseling

CBT-p

Counseling

Verbal and written communication

Clinical judgment

Criminal justice knowledge

Education

Master's degree in guidance, counseling, or the social sciences

Job description

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 Mental Health Professional II 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), Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center(CMHC), 2100 Charlie Hall Blvd, Charleston, SC 29414.

Under the supervision of mental health center staff and with training and direction from forensic services, you will be the outpatient Forensic support Mental Health Professional II working to support patients at high risk of repeated criminal justice involvement. Your responsibility will include an entire BHDD-OMH region of the state.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional II

• Follow and attempt to engage Forensic VIP patients at the center and/or in jail.
• Assess for emergency or judicial commitment; file commitment papers.
• Monitor all individuals awaiting forensic admission and provide updates to the center director and forensic director, to include notifying the appropriate parties when patient on a therapeutic bond does not show up for scheduled injection and as appropriate, notify the Forensic Evaluation Service (FES). Consult email box when a VIP client is arrested.
• Assist BHDD forensic staff in contacting defendants involved in the forensic evaluation process, to include assisting with scheduling virtual or in-person sessions at the center with off-site forensic staff.
• Support discharge and release planning in collaboration with the Office of Transition Programs to include, but not limited to, assisting with obtaining identifying documents and other verifications necessary to establish a financial platform; obtaining signatures; identifying substitute decision makers as needed.
• Refer appropriate Forensic VIP patients to appropriate programming at the mental health center (e.g., ACT Teams, Navigate, Homeless Programs, etc.) and for treatment within the jail.
• Provide the appropriate evidence-based therapy (e.g., CBT-p) to treatment resistant patients.

• A master's degree and professional experience in guidance, counseling or the social sciences and two (2) years of experience in clinical setting.

Additional Requirements

• A current and valid SC Driver's license.
• Ability to bend, stoop, lift up to 25 pounds or more in an emergency situation, climb stairs, and the ability to move freely throughout the entire facility.
• This position is considered essential and staff will have to provide hazardous weather coverage, Weekend and after hours schedules will be rare, but may be necessary.
• In state travel will be required.
• In order to be credentialed for core services as a Mental Health Professional at the BHDD-OMH, 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.
• Licensure
• Knowledge and experience in criminal justice setting.

Post hire, employees must have:

• Experience with individual and group counseling.
• The ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing with patients and staff.
• Computer skills sufficient to complete essential job duties.
• Be able to independently use good clinical judgment and critical thinking and professionally communicate with community and justice stakeholders.

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.
• 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.