Mental Health Professional

Job Description

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 26754
Agency: Department of Corrections - Clinical Services
Location: Springfield - Mike Durfee State Prison
Salary: $62,305.92 to 93,432.57, depending on experience
Pay Grade: GS-K
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

This is a full-time, 40 hours weekly, position with the Department of Corrections. For more information on the Department of Corrections, please visit https://doc.sd.gov/ .

This position conducts assessments and develops personalized treatment plans for the offender population. Mental Health Professionals provide counseling, therapy, and support in both individual and group sessions to help address and manage behavioral health concerns.

Why the Department of Corrections?

At the Department of Corrections (DOC), we have an opportunity to make a difference. As a Department of Corrections employee, you will have a chance to experience:

• Creativity - We are always looking for innovative ideas to help us achieve improved outcomes.
• Making a difference - You will have an opportunity to make a difference in the life of fellow South Dakotans.
• Professional development - We provide valuable trainings to ensure well-trained staff that are competent, accountable, and empowered and will assist you in reaching your career goals.
• Teamwork - In a team-oriented approach, you will have the ability to work cooperatively with others in a friendly work environment to achieve shared goals.

What you will do:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• provides professional mental health services to offenders to include formal and informal mental health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions;
• assures accurate Information System mental health needs levels, including psychiatric needs level codes;
• provides group, brief, and individual therapy and crisis intervention to include participation in 24-hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation;
• assures both emergency and non-emergency transfer for offenders experiencing acute mental health needs;
• provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in mental health care and treatment of offenders;
• assures continuity of care for offenders by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies;
• documents electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive offender mental health records;
• monitors offender treatment and listens to offender concerns and provides counseling and direction;
• promotes and is accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations, and sensitive item contraband control;
• informs supervisor of any violations of safety and security through the report writing process;
• attends training programs as assigned, including self-defense course to ensure self-protection skills.

Qualifications :

• Applicant must possess a master's degree from an accredited institution in one of the following mental health fields: counseling, social work, psychology, or marriage and family therapy.

Required Competencies:

• ability to provide professional mental health treatment to offenders;
• individual must be efficient;
• able to participate in 24 hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation;
• excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across facility programs and with external agencies;
• ability to work independently;
• ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation;
• ability to work with a diverse population of offenders;
• ability to provide professional mental health treatment as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
• ability to read and comprehend the English language;
• ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduation with a master's or doctoral degree in a mental health field such as counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, or psychology from a program accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT or COAMFTE) or American Psychological Association (APA).
• License eligible as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Work, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Psychologist.
• Experience providing mental health treatment in a correctional environment.

Conditions of Employment:

The SD DOC is committed to a work environment free from illegal drugs and alcohol. All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation, urine drug screen and the candidate's ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Individuals selected for the position will have the opportunity to carry Oleoresin Capsicum (OC/pepper spray) if desired. If OC spray is carried, the staff carrying OC spay will be required to have direct (level 1) exposure during the training program. Individuals selected for the position must successfully complete a written and practical self-defense exam and successfully complete CPR to AHA guidelines - this includes successful completion of the practical/hands on portion as well as the written exam. Selected individuals must possess the physical ability to successfully complete the practical self-defense exam, which involves the following:

• Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist;
• Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down;
• Use arms, palms of hands, and feet to deliver blows;
• Withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows;
• Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic;
• Get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions;

Additionally, TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire.

Additional Requirements: Please attach a Resume or Curriculum Vitae with your application.

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.
This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers employer paid health insurance plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/ . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1443/lmghr/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=PFU
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"