Mental Health Professional I / Adult Services (Sumter - Santee-Wateree )

Mental Health Professional I / Adult Services (Sumter - Santee-Wateree )

Salary

$51,039.00 - $59,622.00 Annually

Location

Sumter County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

190824

Agency

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Division

Santee-Wateree Community Mental Health Center

Opening Date

07/28/2026

Closing Date

8/28/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Residency Requirement

No

Class Code:

GA55

Position Number:

60007561

Normal Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)

Pay Grade

GEN08

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education using verifiable dates.

Veteran Preference Statement

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

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Responsibilities

Are you passionate about making a real difference in peoples 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 I who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate lifes 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, Santee-Wateree MHC, 801 N. Pike West, Sumter, SC 29153.

Under limited supervision, you will screen consumers to determine appropriateness for services, provides assessments for diagnosis and planning, and delivers individual, family, and group therapy to an outpatient adult population of Santee-Wateree MHC within the Sumter County Outpatient Clinic.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:

• Provide thorough clinical assessments to establish a comprehensive understanding of the consumer's psychosocial, medical, educational, employment, and psychiatric histories. Based upon the assessment, assign a psychiatric diagnosis in accordance with the criteria set forth in DSM 5. Make appropriate referrals for additional consumer services both internally and externally.
• Screen consumers who wish to initiate or resume services. Conduct screenings via telephone and/or in person to determine if individuals meet the criteria for appropriateness of services at the Sumter Clinic. Ensures that alternative referrals are made for individuals not meeting criteria. Utilize Santee-Wateree MHC screening form adhering to pre-established standards of administration and determination of services.
• Provide quality outpatient clinic-based individual and family psychotherapy services, educational services as well as crisis management interventions to an elderly population with sensitivity to cultural differences. Demonstrate reliable clinical skills and sound professional judgment.
• Develop and conduct group therapy with consumers and/or family members. Provide informative and educational materials to group members and abides by the ethical standards set forth for group settings. Document content of group and consumer participation per policy.
• Develop individual treatment plans based on assessment of treatment needs conducted by clinician, psychiatrist, and nursing staff. Ensure service authorization and documentation are completed per OMH policy. Maintain clinical charts according to Quality Assurance, SCBHDD/OMH, SWMHC and other standards and regulations. Adhere to requirements of SCBHDD/OMH and SWMHC Corporate Compliance Plan.
• Attend and actively participate in Sumter Clinic daily staff meetings. Provide consultation with colleagues relating to clinical issues. Participate in required SCBHDD/OMH/SWMHC in-service training and other professional training opportunities to develop and enhance clinical skills and professional knowledge. Attend biweekly supervision. Maintain a personal commitment toward continuing education.
• Provide back-up services for emergencies and provide other clinic services as needed.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

State: A master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences, or a related field.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to operate non-adaptive vehicles.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to complete MAPS and other required training.
• Travel throughout the Santee-Wateree MHC catchment area as directed

Preferred Qualifications

• License or license eligible
• Health care or related experience
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus

Additional Comments

Post hire, employees must demonstrate:

• Knowledge of normal and abnormal behavior adjustment techniques.
• Knowledge of casework practices and interviewing techniques.
• Knowledge of legal principles and practices.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques, principles, and practices.
• Knowledge of methods, principles and practices of clinical counseling and educational services.

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.

60024074

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.

01

Have you ever been employed by the SC Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities - Office of Mental Health (OMH) (formerly SC Department of Mental Health)?

• Yes
• No

02

If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense (other than in a Juvenile Court), you MUST list this information (unless you have taken steps to expunge your record.) This includes fraudulent checks, driving under suspension, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, etc. *Please note that conviction of a criminal offense does not bar you from employment in all cases; each conviction is evaluated individually. However, failure to list convictions is considered falsification of the application and WILL BE grounds for termination, if hired. It is your responsibility to know what is on your criminal record. If you have charges on your record that appear without a court disposition (result) you may be asked to provide that information if selected for employment. If you have questions, please inquire before you complete your application. PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ANSWERING THIS QUESTION WILL DEEM YOUR APPLICATION AS INCOMPLETE AND IT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Please indicate your understanding to this statement by checking the box below.

• Checking this box indicates my understanding to the above referenced statement.

03

Did you graduate with at least a master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or a related field from an accredited college/university?

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered "yes" to having a masters degree from an accredited university, please list your degree.

05

Have you been denied a professional license, or had a professional license revoked or limited by, and/or had any discipline or sanction imposed on you or your practice by a professional licensing board or body?

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please provide a statement explaining the facts, name of the professional licensing board or body, any action taken by the board or body and your current status with that board or body.

07

Do you have direct patient care experience in a clinical setting, either post-Masters or during your graduate program (i.e., internship or practicum)? If so, please be sure that it is listed in your application and/or resume.

08

Please indicate your salary requirements (please be specific and not put "negotiable" or "open").

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Address 400 Otarre Parkway

Cayce, South Carolina, 29033

Phone OIDD - (803)898-9600

OMH - (803) 898-8600

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.