Direct Support Professional / Peer Support (Catawba MHC)

This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Catawba Community Mental Health Center (CCMHC), 1906 Hwy 521 By-Pass South, Lancaster, SC 29720   Travel between clinics in Chester and York County will be necessary. 

The Office of Mental Health’s mission is to support the recovery of people with mental illnesses.  We provide a complete array of medical and support services for children, adults, and families throughout South Carolina.

• Serve as an active member of the patient’s treatment team.  Advocate for services requested by the patient. Cultivate the patient’s ability to make informed, independent choices, to set goals, and assist the patient in gaining information and support from the community.  Plan activities with the patient that lead to improved self-concepts through empowerment and self determination opportunities. Teach and model the importance of medication adherence, effective communication with doctors and other caregivers.  
• Provide support and encouragement to both the patient and their family members, when it is the choice of the patient to do so.  
• Offer patients hope of recovery from mental illness by sharing their own recovery stories and by teaching patients how to tell their own recovery stories effectively. Use their unique recovery experience to model the value of every individual’s recovery experience and to teach effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.  
• Participate in training to enhance knowledge of best practice. Work with supervising Mental Health Professionals in the creation of an annual report to be submitted to SCDBHDD for DHHS within 60 days of the end of the fiscal year. 

• High school diploma or GED.
• Be a current or former consumer of mental health services.

• Must maintain a valid driver’s license.  
• Ability to lift 5lbs. 

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

Post hire, employee must:

• Perform all job duties and provide all services and documentation in compliance with CARF, OMH, CCMHC, Quality Assurance, Compliance, HIPAA, Transcultural and Productivity Standards, Policies and Procedures.
• Have the ability to operate a state vehicle. 
• Maintain peer support certification approved and sponsored by the OMH and continuing education programs of at least 20 hours per year as required by the Office of Consumer Affairs, along with training required by the lobal mental health center as a provider site.

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.