Client Advocate I / Peer Support - Assertive Community Treatment Team (Greenville)

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 I 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, Greater Greenville Mental Health Center, 124 Mallard St, Greenville, SC 29601. 

• Provide direct services through coaching mentoring and consultation to the patient to promote recovery, self-advocacy and self-direction. Promote wellness management strategies, which include delivering manualized interventons, Welness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or Illness Management and Recovery.   Assist patients in developing Psychiatric Advanced Directives.  

• Maintain medical records documetation standards with QA, OMH and CARF policies and procedures.  Document services collaboartively with the patient as appropriate.  

• Provide consultation to ACT Team members to assist in understanding recovery and the role of the CPSS, promoting a culture in which patients' points of view and preferecens are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into treatment.  

• Serve as an active member of the ACT team, which includes facilitating the IPOC process for patients assigned to them.  Reguarly participate in the daily team meetings and treatment planning meetings. Ensure at least a monthly staffing of each patient that they serve.

• Provide patients with satisfaction surveys to measure the patients own perception of care, access to service, and improve the quality of treatment.  

• Adhere to policies and procedures according to Corporate Compliance, Fire and Safety, and CARF.  Comply with Office of Mental Health Compliance Plan and all legal responsibilities and requirements in performing their job duties.  

• Complete all annual required trainings to include Safety, MAPS,  Cultural Affairs, and clinical trainings.   Maintain CPSS certification.   Demonstate adherence to CARF standards, and OMH and Center policies and Procedures.

• A high school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required experience.
• Be at least 18 years of age; Self-identify as a person diagnosed with MI/SU; Demonstrate 2 years of sustained recovery w/o relapse; completed 100 hours of supervised, paid, or volunteer work providing peer support services to individuals diagnosed with MI, SU or co-occurring disorder. 

• Position is considered essential and may be called back during crises/disasters/emergencies. 
• Ability to lift 5lbs.
• Ability to operate a state vehicle. 
• Ability to deliver services in both center and community locations.

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

Post hire, employees must: 

• Have the ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• Have effective problem-solving skills and decision-making skills.
• Obtain and maintain PSS certification. 
• Have knowledge of agency and community resources and ability to link individuals with resources. 
• Have the ability to effectively teach individuals how to take responsibility for recovery. 
• Have the ability to effectively advocate for patient needs.  
• Have the ability to effectively collaborate with treatment team.  
• Have the ability to demonstrate sustained recovery. 

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.