MHP I Deflection and Diversion Team (DDT)

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated mental health professional to support individuals with mental illnesses in a clinical setting. This role involves working closely with legal teams and local law enforcement to provide essential care and divert individuals from the criminal justice system. The ideal candidate will possess a master's degree in guidance or social sciences, alongside clinical experience, and will be committed to providing compassionate and effective support. Join a team that values mental health and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and paid leave, while making a real difference in the community.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Long Term Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Parental Leave

Annual Leave Accrual

Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

State Retirement Plan

Qualifications

• Requires a master's degree and two years of clinical experience providing direct patient care.
• Knowledge of criminal justice settings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct competency pre-screening consultations and develop diversion recommendations.
• Participate in weekly staffing meetings and provide education on forensic processes.
• Assist in competency restoration treatment and ensure compliance with documentation standards.

Skills

Clinical Experience

Guidance Counseling

Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Knowledge of Criminal Justice

Education

Master's Degree in Guidance or Social Sciences

Graduate Coursework in Psychopathology

Graduate Coursework in Clinical Assessment

Job description

With our Agency's mission to support the recovery of people with mental illnesses, we provide a complete array of medical and support services for children, adults, and families throughout South Carolina.
This position will service all four clinical operations of WCMH in Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties.
Please note that this position requires a master's degree in guidance, counseling or the social sciences and evidence of two years of clinical experience providing direct patient care. This can include internship, practicum, or previous post-graduate work experience, where one has worked with patients. One must meet DMH credentialing requirements.

Play pay special attention to state and agency minimum requirements including preferred licensure, knowledge and experience in criminal justice/forensic setting.

This position MAY be eligible for SCDMH 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 applicable position.

Under the supervision of the mental health center director, this position will work with the SCDMH forensic, legal team, local law enforcement, local detention centers, local public defenders, local solicitors, judges, and mental health center staff to deflect and divert appropriate individuals from the criminal justice system, and from unnecessary forensic involvement and into an appropriate level of care and treatment. Cases will be assigned to this position by the Forensic Manager, in addition to other cases deemed appropriate through screening and consultation.

Job Responsibilities Include but Not Limited to the Following:

1. Completes competency pre-screening consultations with attorneys as assigned. Works collaboratively with legal office, forensics and WCMH community mental health centers to develop diversion recommendations when appropriate. Provides education to all relevant stakeholders regarding the forensic process and available pathways to treatment, supporting the least restrictive means of care. Also, provides consultation to the jail and the MHC/support case management for cases identified by forensic manager. Monitors all individuals awaiting forensic admission and provides updates to center director, forensic and legal teams. Refers and advocates for services to support psychiatric and medical stability. As directed by forensic supervisor, completes pre-restoration competency screenings on individuals on waitlist who may have improved and may be competent.
2. Participation in weekly staffing meetings as assigned by the Forensic Manager and in at least monthly supervision with the center director is required.
3. Supports implementation of medication over objection protocols through ongoing education of relevant parties.
4. May serve as Mental Health Professional I in assisting in the provision of competency restoration treatment assigned by forensic manager by providing patient education, individual and group counseling related to either competency restoration or re-entry into the community. As assigned by forensic manager, helps to facilitate forensic evaluations with defendants who do not consent to be transported or have poor participation in the evaluation process. Supports release/discharge planning to expedite return to the community. Assists care coordinator in identifying documents and other verifications necessary to establish a financial platform.
5. Completes and maintains all required documentation and training to include but not limited to CBTp and documentation of charts and other records in accordance with State, Federal, Local, SCDMH, WCMH, Quality Assurance, Corporate Compliance and CARF standards.
6. Performs other duties as assigned which are consistent with the position and in compliance with agency policies and procedures.

State and Agency Minimum Requirements:

1. Two years of experience in a clinical setting is required.
2. A master's degree in guidance, social sciences or counseling is required. Must meet SCDMH credentialing requirements that include the following graduate coursework:
   1. Psychopathology
   2. Psychopathology Diagnostics
   3. Ethics Coursework related to the medical profession
   4. Clinical Assessment - Practice with family therapy (DSM) or any related assessment graduate course.

Please be sure to attach your graduate transcript to this application for review. This is needed to determine if you meet SCDMH credentialing requirements.
If you are licensed, please attach a copy of current licensure.

Note: If any Agency Requirements are listed above, applicants must also meet those requirements to be considered for the position.

Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.
Preferred licensure through South Carolina Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Actively seeking those applicants who are currently residing in the Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties.

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity Agency. We provide affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex – including the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, age, religion, or disability.

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

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. Please account for any and all gaps of employment in your application. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of application completion nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave accrual per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs