Therapeutic Assistant / Counselor Assistant (CMT Nursing Center - Roddey)

Therapeutic Assistant / Counselor Assistant (CMT Nursing Center - Roddey)

Salary

$30,700.00 - $39,900.00 Annually

Location

Richland County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

190272

Agency

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Division

C.M. Tucker-Roddey

Opening Date

07/07/2026

Closing Date

7/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Class Code:

GA33

Position Number:

60018359

Normal Work Schedule:

Other

Pay Grade

GEN04

Hiring Range - Min.

$30,700.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$39,900.00

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.

Normal Work Schedule (Other):

All shifts include weekend, holiday, and hazardous weather coverage as needed/assigned. 1st shift- 7:00am-3:30pm 3rd shift- 11:15pm-7:15am Details on the work schedules will be discussed during the interviews

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 Therapeutic Assistant / Counselor Assistant, 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, C.M. Tucker Jr. Nurse Care Center-Roddey Pavilion, 2200 Harden St. Columbia, SC 29203.

As the Therapeutic Assistant, under the Supervision of the Director of Recreation and Community Outreach Services, Therapeutic Assistant Supervisor, or designee (License Nurse) you will provide specialized therapeutic recreation activities to culturally diverse resident population at the Roddey Pavilion across the life span based on individualized Activity Therapy Care Plans. You will assist residents in meeting their needs for dignity and quality of life maintenance. You will utilize effective leadership and interpersonal skills, provide guidance and assist in providing and maintaining a safe therapeutic environment.

Responsibilities for the Therapeutic Assistant:

• Provide meaningful observations and individualized documentation of activity attendance, participation and responses related to interventions and any changes in behavior, mental and or physical state and the general well-being of residents. Report to the Director of Recreation and Community Outreach Services or designee (License Nurse) to ensure resident safety. Therapeutic Assistant will be assigned to perform close observations one to one (1:1) and hall monitoring on a Unit.
• Foster appropriate and empathetic communication skills while maintaining a therapeutic interpersonal relationship with residents. Assist in providing a safe and therapeutic environment, utilizing de-escalation techniques and assists with crisis intervention.
• Adhere to policies and procedures for: PPD policy, Mandatory education and training, Corporate Compliance, HIPAA and Harassment-Free Workplace.
• Assist the Activity Therapist Department with various activities, such as providing positive interaction with the residents in a residents room, dining room, day room and throughout the facility/grounds to include simple crafts.
• Demonstrate competency in performing duties under the supervision of the Director of Recreation and Community Outreach Services.
• Assist with dining process by feeding and /or assisting residents receiving regular diets and thin liquids after successful completion of the facilitys feeding program.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• Have the ability or experience to learn relevant program areas.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds; ability to see, hear at normal volumes, stand, walk, reach, pull, stoop, bend and climb at least two (2) or three (3) flights of stairs. Ability to tolerate noise level and circulate in patient areas for long periods. Must be able to work with repetitive patient behaviors.

Preferred Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED.
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Additional Comments

Post hire, employees must:

• Be able to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with professional staff and others, express ideas clearly and establish rapport with residents.
• Be able to exercise judgement and discretion in applying and interpreting 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.

60029093

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

Do you have the ability or experience to learn relevant program areas?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you willing and available to work morning (7:00am to 3:30pm), evening (3:00pm to 11:30pm), and or night (11:15pm to 7:15am) shifts, weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and during inclement weather, which may also include working over assigned shift hours as needed?

• Yes
• No

05

If unable to work a specific shift from the question above, please indicate what shift you are unable to work.

06

What shifts are you available to work? Please note that all shifts include weekend, holiday, and hazardous weather coverage as needed/assigned.

• DAY 1st shift- 7:00am-3:30pm
• EVENING 2nd shift- 3:00pm-11:30pm
• NIGHT 3rd shift- 11:15pm-7:15am

07

All schedules include weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and during inclement weather, which may also include working over assigned shift hours as needed. Are you able to work these schedule requirements?

• Yes
• No

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.