Mental Health Professional (RCMC)

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 66,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State benefits & SDRS retirement

Veterans' Preference

Health insurance options

Paid holidays

Vacation & sick leave

Dental and vision

Job summary

The South Dakota Department of Corrections seeks a qualified mental health professional to provide services to the offender population at the Rapid City facility. You will conduct formal and informal evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions to support rehabilitation and public safety.

Ideal candidates hold a master’s degree in a mental health field, are license-eligible, and have experience delivering treatment in a correctional setting.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or marriage and family therapy.
• License eligible as LPC, LCSW, LMFT or Psychologist.
• Experience providing mental health treatment in a correctional environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health services to offenders, including evaluations, assessments, and interventions.
• Perform diagnostic assessments and behavioral health evaluations.
• Participate in 24-hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation.
• Adhere to safety, security, and DOC policies within a correctional facility.
• Maintain documentation and treatment planning.

Skills

Clinical interviews

Diagnose mental health disorders

Therapy/Counseling

Team collaboration

Crisis intervention

Documentation/report writing

Education

Master's degree in mental health

CACREP/CSWE/APA accredited

Job description

Job ID: 38484
Agency: Department of Corrections - Clinical Services
Location: Rapid City, SD (Rapid City Minimum Center)
Salary: $66,000 - $75,000/annually, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: K
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

This position provides mental health services to the offender population, to include formal and informal behavioral health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions

Why the Department of Corrections?

At the Department of Corrections (DOC), we have an opportunity to make a difference. As a Department of Corrections employee, you will have a chance to experience:

• Creativity - We are always looking for innovative ideas to help us achieve improved outcomes.
• Making a Difference - You will have an opportunity to make a difference in the life of fellow South Dakotans.
• Professional Development - We provide valuable trainings to ensure well-trained staff that are competent, accountable, and empowered and will assist you in reaching your career goals.
• Teamwork - In a team-oriented approach, you will have the ability to work cooperatively with others in a friendly work environment to achieve shared goals.

Who We Want:

• A highly motivated and experienced person with a passion for serving the public and displays a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals.
• A compassionate individual who listens attentively to others and clearly conveys information and ideas.
• A dependable and organized individual who effectively plans and organizes work activities.
• A person who is dedicated and who will represent the DOC with integrity and enthusiasm.
• An individual who works cooperatively with others and promotes a friendly work climate in order to achieve shared goals.

Conditions of Employment:

The SD DOC is committed to a work environment free from illegal drugs and alcohol. All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation, urine drug screen and the candidate's ability to perform the essential functions of the position. Individuals selected for the position will have the opportunity to carry Oleoresin Capsicum (OC/pepper spray) if desired. If OC spray is carried, the staff carrying OC spray will be required to have direct (level 1) exposure during the training program. Individuals selected for the position must successfully complete a written and practical self-defense exam and successfully complete CPR to AHA guidelines - this includes successful completion of the practical/hands on portion as well as the written exam. Selected individuals must possess the physical ability to successfully complete the practical self-defense exam, which involves the following:

• lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist;
• stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down;
• use arms, palms of hands, shins, and feet to deliver blows;
• withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows;
• rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic; and
• get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions.

Additionally, TB screening is required of all new employees upon hire.

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Corrections Behavioral Health team. For more information on the DOC, please visit https://doc.sd.gov .

Licenses and Certifications:

Applicant must possess a master's degree from an accredited institution in one of the following mental health fields: counseling, social work, psychology, or marriage and family therapy.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Graduation with a master's or doctoral degree in a mental health field such as counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy or psychology from a program accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT or COAMFTE) or American Psychological Association (APA).
• License eligible as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Work, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Psychologist.
• Experience providing mental health treatment in a correctional environment.

Knowledge:

• experience working with clients that have been involved in the criminal justice system;
• experience working with clients that may have complex needs, dual diagnoses, and/or wide range of mental health functioning;
• theories and techniques used in counseling, crisis intervention, and substance use disorders;
• evidenced-based practices related to the rehabilitation of criminal offenders;
• treatment planning, charting, and report writing; and
• suicide prevention and intervention specifically related to the correctional population.

Skill to:

• effectively communicate and motivate treatment-resistant clients;
• conduct clinical interviews, assessments, and evaluations;
• diagnose mental health disorders; and
• work independently and collaboratively with a team.

Ability to:

• conduct individual and group counseling or therapy sessions;
• gather, interpret, report, and use information concerning clients;
• establish and maintain effective interpersonal counseling relationships with clients;
• perform mental health evaluations, formulate treatment plans, and make recommendations on client care;
• participate in 24-hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation;
• work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary staff setting;
• respond to mental health crisis situations quickly and effectively;
• make clinical decisions regarding offenders' mental health;
• work in a correctional facility; and
• adhere to the safety and security processes of such correctional facility.

***Full state benefits and SDRS retirement***

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.

Successful applicant(s) will undergo an abuse and neglect screening. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail] http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'

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