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Posted: March 10, 2026 (14 days ago)

Added to FreshGovJobs: March 24, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Mental Health Professional I / LAC - ACT Program (Florence)

State of South Carolina

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Recent

Location

Salary

$51,039 - $59,622

per year

Closes

March 25, 2026

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working on a team that provides intensive, community-based support to people with serious mental illnesses and substance use issues, helping them through assessments, therapy, and planning to build healthier lives.

You'll deliver care in homes and communities using proven methods like motivational interviewing and relapse prevention.

It's a great fit for someone with a counseling background who enjoys direct patient interaction, flexible schedules, and making a tangible impact in mental health.

Key Requirements

  • Master's degree in Guidance, Counseling, or Social Sciences with at least one year of clinical experience
  • Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in South Carolina or Master Addiction Counselor
  • Evidence of direct patient care experience (e.g., practicum, internship, or post-graduate work)
  • Valid South Carolina driver's license and ability to operate a state vehicle
  • Ability to lift five pounds and deliver services in community settings and patients' homes
  • Flexible schedule as part of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team; position is essential and may require callback during crises
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish (or another language) is preferred

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 Mental Health Professional 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, Pee Dee Mental Health Center, 125 East Cheves Street, Florence, SC 29506.

In this position, you will serve on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team providing evidenced based services in an intensive, non-residential treatment and rehabilitative facility in accordance with the Fidelity Model. This is a single fixed point of responsibility for treatment, rehabilitation, and support needs for patients with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) who require higher levels of community care and have not been well supported in lower level of care options.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:
  • Conduct comprehensive substance use assessments, assesses and tracks beneficiary's stages of change readiness, and stages of treatment.
  • Ensure patients are seen in accordance with their needs and the team's treatment approaches are consistent with beneficiary's stages of change readiness.
  • Facilitate access to 12 Step groups and other community groups.
  • Provide direct services to patients using cognitive behavioral approaches, relapse prevention, and uses outreach and motivational interviewing techniques in earlier stages of change readiness.
  • Facilitate the person centered planning process for beneficiaries assigned to them.
  • Complete documentation according to QA/OMH standards, complies with Corporate Compliance policy and Risk Management Plan, and ensure timely completion of prior preauthorization's.
  • Complete all annual required training to include Safety, MAPS, Cultural Affairs, and clinical trainings. Demonstrate adherence to CARF standards, OMH, and Center policies and procedures.

For MHP Student Loan Repayment:

This position MAY be eligible for SCOMH 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 appliable position.

Requirements

  • A Master's degree in Guidance, Counseling, or the Social Sciences with one (1) year most Master's experience in a clinical setting
  • Must be a Licensed Addiction Counselor in South Carolina, or a Master Addiction Counselor.
Additional Requirements
  • Ability to lift five (5) pounds
  • A valid SC driver's license and the ability to operate a state vehicle.
  • In order to be credentialed for core services as a Mental Health Professional at the SC Office of Mental Health, applicants must provide evidence of clinical experience providing direct patient care.

    This experience may be documented as a practicum or internship during graduate program, or post-graduate clinical experience.

    Please be sure to provide specific clinical activities on your application and/or resume.

  • Position is considered essential and may be called back during crises/emergencies.
  • Will be a part of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team and requires flexible schedules.
  • Deliver services in the community and patients' homes.

Qualifications

  • Bilingual in English and Spanish (or another language) is a plus.

Additional Information

Post hire, employees must:
  • Have practical therapeutic knowledge of principles, methods, and counseling practices and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of addictions and mental disorders.
  • Have the ability to listen, understand, and communicate information and ideas so that others will understand.
  • Have knowledge of psychopathology, family dynamics, family and group psychotherapy.
  • Be able to identify and effectively utilize resources available in the community to accomplish objectives.
  • Have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families, and representatives of other professional disciplines.

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 *

*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.


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Posted on NEOGOV: 3/10/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/24/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-sc-5244766