Mental Health Counselor

University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Full Time

Email Address

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Posting Summary

Logo Posting Number STA00401PO25 Job Family Healthcare Job Function Mental Health Counseling USC Market Title Mental Health Counselor Link to USC Market Title Job Level P3 - Professional Business Title (Internal Title) Mental Health Counselor Campus Columbia Work County Richland College/Division Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support Department SAAS UHS Counseling State Pay Band 7 Approved Starting Salary $53,852 Advertised Salary Range $53,852 - Salary commensurate with qualifications Location of Vacancy Part/Full Time Full Time Hours per Week 40 Work Schedule

Standard working schedule: 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Basis 11 months Job Search Category Health and Human Services

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service - helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at . Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

Mental Health Counselor

Do you have experience in providing counseling services to patients?

Do you enjoy helping people?

Are you passionate about providing students with care and support in their times of need?

The Licensed Mental Health Counselor provides a broad range of counseling and psychological services to students, including initial evaluation/assessment, treatment planning, case formulation, referral to appropriate services and treatment within the modalities of individual, couples, and group psychotherapy. They provide crisis intervention and management as necessary, as well as triage to unscheduled walk-in students. They assess client needs and diagnosis, devise and facilitate implementation of treatment planning goals, and evaluate treatment needs. The Licensed Mental Health Counselor conducts clinical work and documentation in compliance with departmental, division and University of South Carolina policies and procedures. They participate as a multidisciplinary team member to provide evidence-based practice with primary focus on initial diagnostic evaluation, assessment and referral to appropriate level of care. They also participate in departmental meetings, work groups and taskforces. Job duties, including clinical responsibilities, may be completed at the main counseling office or in embedded locations across campus depending on the needs of the university.

Day to Day for this position:

Provide a broad range of time-limited counseling and psychological services to students to include individual, couples, and group therapy.
Provide crisis and emergency services as needed while maintaining awareness of community-wide referral resources.
Opportunities to engage in outreach and consultation pertaining to developmental, preventative, and mental health topics.

Perks

Competitive salary + some of the BEST benefits you can find!
15 paid vacation days
15 paid sick days
13 paid holidays (including an extended December holiday)
An engaging and collaborative environment.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

Requires a master's degree in a job related field and 1 or more years of job related experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Licensed or license eligible as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Independent Social Work in Clinical Practice (LISW-CP), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of South Carolina within 6 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

At least two years post licensure experience providing direct mental health services, preferably with young adults.
Experience in brief intervention, mental health crisis assessment, and group therapy.
Ability to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of clinical concerns using a variety of treatment modalities/approaches.
Knowledge of electronic health records systems.
Ability to appropriately assess and intervene in crisis situations.
Experience providing both in-person and online/virtual assessment & counseling.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.
Ability to treat all people equitably and with a sensitivity and awareness to cultural differences.
Considerable knowledge of professional ethics and the ability to apply to current work.
Experience working within a short-term treatment Stepped-Care model.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Self-motivated with demonstrated understanding of the developmental issues of college students.
Must be flexible and possess the ability to successfully handle multiple tasks/projects simultaneously and work well under pressure, independently, and in a team-oriented environment

Job Duties

Job Duty

Provide a broad range of time-limited counseling and psychological services to students to include individual, couples, and group therapy.
Provide crisis and emergency services as needed while maintaining awareness of community-wide referral resources.
Opportunities to engage in outreach and consultation pertaining to developmental, preventative, and mental health topics.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 65 Job Duty

Collaborate with leadership and staff to advance the department's mission and strategic goals.
Foster cooperative working relationships with faculty, staff, student organizations, and community-based programs.
Opportunities to provide supervision to graduate level interns and trainees and contribute to the professional development of staff.
Participate in assigned work groups, task forces, and committees.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the department's operation.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 20 Job Duty

Engage in professional development activities in alignment with licensure, professional affiliation, and best practice standards.
Collaborate with colleagues throughout the college to contribute to departmental initiatives, student services, retention efforts, and overall campus growth.
Maintain client files, case notes, and correspondence and compile information; prepare reports as assigned.
Participate in all departmental meetings.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive Yes Hazardous weather category Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 3 Desired Start Date Job Open Date 05/23/2025 Job Close Date 07/15/2025 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicant

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by July 15, 2025

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

Health and Life Insurance
Retirement Programs
Paid Tuition
Dependent Scholarships
Annual Leave
Sick Leave
13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
Paid Parental Leave
Professional Development Opportunities

Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.

Quicklink for Posting EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

- Do you have at least a Master's Degree in a job-related field and 1 or more years of job- related experience?
Yes
No
- Are you or will you be licensed or license eligible as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Independent Social Work in Clinical Practice (LISW-CP), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of South Carolina within 6 months of hire?
Yes
No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents