Counsellor

Institution: Institute of Mental Health

Family Group: Allied Health

Position: Counsellor (JG11/12)

Department: Department of Emergency and Crisis Care

Join us in Adding Years of Healthy Life Through Life-Changing Careers, Where Passion Meets Purpose. Make a meaningful difference whilst growing in a supportive environment that nurtures your wellbeing and career aspirations

Job Description:

Provide counselling for call-in patients or subjects and triage calls to the IMH Crisisline .

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage calls through the IMH Crisisline

  • Triage calls based on the risk and issues presented by the callers
  • De-escalate crisis situations through the phone
  • Conduct phone-based risk assessment on person-of-interest (POI) to determine the risk of harm to self and others
  • Obtain a comprehensive history of the POI (e.g. medical, social, psychological, forensic)
  • Formulate and carry out appropriate management plans, in consult with the IMH ES consultant if necessary
  • Provide clinical, administrative and referral information to callers
  • Arrange for onsite visits or make referrals to community partners
  • Ensure accurate and timely documentation of calls
  • Escalate difficult cases to Reporting Officer for advice

• Provide onsite crisis intervention or counselling

  • Conduct onsite visits to perform risk and psychosocial assessments for POI
  • Determine management plan in consult with IMH ES consultant
  • Escort POI to IMH or other Restructured Hospitals for further treatment if necessary
  • Assist to reschedule POI’s outpatient appointment for earlier review if necessary
  • Provide psycho-education to POI and their family members
  • Refer POI to appropriate community partners where necessary
  • Conduct counselling or therapy sessions for referred inpatients during their admission

• Post-intervention follow-up

  • Monitor cases to ensure follow up with the next care provider
  • Conduct a warm handoff to the next care provider

• Community training and outreach

  • Attend road show, meetings, networking sessions as assigned
  • Conduct training sessions as assigned

• General administration

  • Perform general administrative duties e.g. correspondence with internal and/or external partners
  • Support collaboration of statistics and maintenance of database
  • Attend multi-agency case conferences as assigned
  • Perform other duties or projects as assigned

Requirements:

Competency

• Team player with a passion for patient care and community support

• Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills

Educational and Professional Requirements

• Recognised Degree in Psychology, Nursing, Social Work or Counselling

• Willing to work on a rotating shift and be mobilised to conduct crisis intervention in the community

• 2 to 4 years of experience in mental healthcare or counselling is preferred

About IMH:

The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Singapore, established in 1928, is a premier 2,000-bed psychiatric hospital nestled in Buangkok Green Medical Park, providing comprehensive mental health services across 50 inpatient wards and 7 outpatient clinics, while also playing a pivotal role in training the next generation of mental health professionals through the NHG-AHPL Residency Programme and collaborations with local academic institutions.