Therapeutic Assistant / Counselor Assistant (BPH:C&A)

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, disability, &/

Life insurance

Paid leave & holidays

Retirement offerings (SCRS / ORP)

Job summary

State of South Carolina, Office of Mental Health, is seeking a Therapeutic Assistant / Counselor Assistant to support therapeutic diversionary activities for youth. You will work under supervision to help children and adolescents progress toward recovery goals in a safe, supportive environment.

The role requires a high school diploma and willingness to work various shifts, including evenings and weekends. Prior human services experience and CPR/MANDT training are advantageous.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Associate's degree in Human Services or related fields preferred.
• Bachelor's degree may substitute for work experience.

Responsibilities

• Create and conduct individual and group activities for children and adolescents.
• Observe and document attendance, participation, behavior, and response to activities.
• Maintain safe, therapeutic environment and aide nursing staff as needed.
• Complete inventory logs and report maintenance needs.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

De-escalation

Observation

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma

Associate’s degree (in progress) in Human Services

Bachelor's degree can substitute for experience

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 aTherapeutic Assistant / Counselor Assistant, 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, G. Werber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital, 220 Faison Drive, Columbia SC 29203.

As the Therapeutic Assistant / Counselor Assistant, under the supervision of the Activity Therapy Supervisor, you will provide therapeutic diversionary based activities for the child and adolescent aged population. Therapeutic Assistants will assist the patients in achieving their recovery goals via the utilization of appropriate and therapeutic interpersonal skills and activities. You will collaborate with Nursing Services and assist in fostering and maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment on the assigned lodge(s).

Responsibilities for the Therapeutic Assistant / Counselor Assistant include:

• Create, plan and conduct individual and group diversionary activities during designated times. Provide individual or group diversionary activities during the patient's free time, as needed. Will observe and document each patient's attendance, level of participation, behavior, and response to the group provided. Observe, document. and report any changes in the patient's behavior with The Activity Therapy Supervisor and Nurse Manager/Charge Nurse to ensure patient safety. Assist in providing coverage as assigned.
• Observe and monitor patients assigned by the Nurse Manager /Charge Nurse, excluding patients on any level of observation. Demonstrate and facilitate appropriate and empathetic communication skills while maintaining a suitable and therapeutic relationship with the patients. In collaboration with the Nurse Manager/Charge Nurse, you will assist Nursing Services in providing a safe and recovery focused environment through the utilization of de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, milieu management assistance, and the utilization of diversionary activities. You will also provide additional coverage on the unit/lodges as assigned.
• Complete inventory logs and supply check-out forms for designated areas. Will submit inventory logs and supply check-out forms to the Activity Therapy Supervisor. Observe and maintain facility equipment, in addition to reporting damages or needed repairs to Physical Plant Services, the Activity Therapy Supervisors and/or the Nurse Manager/Charge Nurse.
• Will adhere to policies and procedures set for by the SCBHDD-Office of Mental Health, in addition to adhering to Activity Therapy Standard Operating Procedures and Nursing Services rules/regulations. Will complete and maintain compliance for all mandatory training including but not limited to: MANDT, CPR, PPD, Corporate Compliance and other assigned online training.

• A high school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience.

Additional Requirement:

• Ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds (or more during emergencies); Applicants must be able to stand, walk, reach, pull, stoop, bend and able to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and inclement weather as needed.
• Must be willing to work with all genders and populations at BPH Civil, Child & Adolescent and Forensics.

• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.
• In progress of an Associate's Degree in the Human Services or other related fields.
• A bachelor's degree in human services, Psychology and related fields can be substituted for program experience.

Post hire, employees must:

• Be able to communicate with staff and patients clearly and effectively.
• Possess the ability to establish and maintain rapport with patients, in addition to being able to exercise judgement and discretion in interpreting and applying SCOMH policies and procedures.

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.