Mental Health Associate

Overview

The South Dakota Department of Corrections is hiring for a Full-Time Behavioral Health position in Pierre, SD – Women’s Prison. This position works within the behavioral health team to provide mental health services to the offender population and other supportive services. The position is with the Department of Corrections Behavioral Health team. The office is located in Pierre, SD. The salary range is $23.00 to $31.00 per hour, depending on experience.

Pay Grade: H. Closing Date:
Open Until Filled. This position is eligible for a $5,000 hiring incentive. Full state benefits and SDRS retirement apply. Current and Previous State Employees do NOT qualify for the Hiring Incentive.

Additional information:
For more information on the DOC, please visit the DOC website. A recruitment video is available here:

• Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: provides mental health services to offenders under the supervision of mental health professionals and in compliance with mental health guidelines; participate in mental health treatment services and special unit management; provide input into mental health assessments, facilitate groups, and aid in facilitation of psychiatric clinics and tele-health sessions; assist in daily management and monitor assigned offenders with mental illness;
  
  schedule and facilitate mental health appointments; participate as a member of an multidisciplinary team; provide input needed for treatment and management planning to include observation of offender behaviors, problems, symptoms, and response to treatment interventions; inform offenders regarding mental healthcare supervision and treatment; listen to offender concerns and provide counseling, direction, and referral; communicate regarding complaints, problems, incidents, and offender behavioral management issues;
  
  respond to complaints, problems, actions, or behaviors within scope of practice; document electronically and in an accurate and timely manner to maintain offender mental health records; 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 bachelor’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 direct mental health support services to clients; excellent written and verbal communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively; ability to work independently under supervision; ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation; ability to work with a diverse population of clients; ability to provide mental health support services as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  
  experience working in a correctional environment; experience in processes such as relaxation training, social skills groups, or recreational activities; experience in scheduling psychiatric clinics; experience providing supportive services and direct client care.

Knowledge Of
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• experience working with clients that have been involved in the criminal justice system;
• evidenced-based practices related to the rehabilitation of criminal offenders;
• charting and report writing.

Skill To
Identify and effectively communicate offender behaviors, problems, and symptoms to mental health professionals; conduct brief screenings and appraisals.

• Conduct individual and group counseling sessions;
• Gather, interpret, report, and use information concerning clients;
• Establish and maintain effective interpersonal counseling relationships with clients;
• Perform mental health screenings and appraisals;
• Make recommendations and referrals when outside of scope of practice;
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary staff setting;
• Work in a correctional facility; adhere to the safety and security processes of such correctional facility.

Ability To
Conduct individual and group counseling sessions; gather, interpret, report, and use information concerning clients; establish and maintain effective interpersonal counseling relationships with clients; perform mental health screenings and appraisals; make recommendations and referrals when outside of scope of practice; work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary staff setting; work in a correctional facility; adhere to the safety and security processes of such correctional facility.

Additional Requirements

Additional Requirements:

To be considered, please attach your resume and three professional references. This…