Client Advocate I / Lower Richland Clinic (Columbia Area)

Full 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 a Client Advocate 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, Columbia Area Mental Health Center, Lower Richland Clinic, 1850 Pineview Road, Columbia, SC, 29209, CAMHC #269.

As the Client Advocate I, you will provide peer support services and schedule therapeutic activities individually or in a group.

Will be responsible for guiding patients towards the identification and achievement of specific goals defined by the patient and specified in the Individual Treatment Plan.

Promote community socialization, recovery, including awareness of treatment needs, self-advocacy, self-help, and development of natural supports.

Responsibilities for this Client Advocate:

• Provide both individual and group peer support services offering hope and supportive feedback on recovery, growth, and healing.
• Ensure that documentation is reflective of the quality of care expected of this position to include Collaborative Documentation/timely record keeping.

Demonstrate recognition of the importance of collaborative teamwork within the Center and the community to include interaction with peers and involvement in treatment team meetings.

Assist in marketing the program and maintaining adequate patient engagement. Educate patients and families on the benefits of Peer Support and encouraging appropriate referrals from clinicians.

• Perform administrative functions including maintenance of medical records in accordance with QA standards.
• Respond to telephone messages, emails, Teams messages, and inter-office mail.
• Comply with the Office of Mental Health Compliance Plan and all legal responsibilities and requirements.

Requirements

• A high school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required experience.
• Completion of the Peer Support Specialist certification process.

Qualifications

• Awareness of community resources.
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Additional Information

Post hire, employees must:

• Have understanding of mental illness and the recovery process.
• Be able to communicate effectively.
• Be able to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) Certification.

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.