Counsellor

Institute of Mental Health; Singapore; On-site; SGD 47,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Singapore seeks a Counsellor (JG11/12) to provide telephonic and onsite crisis counselling through IMH Crisisline. The role entails triaging risk, offering crisis intervention, and coordinating care with ES consultants and community partners.

Candidates should hold a recognised degree in psychology, nursing, social work or counselling, be able to work rotating shifts, and have 2–4 years of mental health experience.

Qualifications

• Recognised degree in psychology, nursing, social work or counselling.
• Willing to work on rotating shifts and mobilised for crisis intervention in the community.
• 2–4 years of experience in mental healthcare or counselling preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage calls through the IMH Crisisline and triage based on risk.
• Provide onsite crisis intervention or counselling and perform risk assessments.
• Escort to IMH or other hospitals for further treatment if necessary; arrange referrals.
• Document calls accurately and timely; follow up with care providers.
• Participate in community training and outreach as assigned.
• Perform general administrative duties and support statistics/database maintenance.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Team player

Negotiation skills

Education

Degree in Psychology

Degree in Counselling

Degree in Social Work

Degree in Nursing

Job description

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:

1. Manage calls through the IMH Crisisline
   1. Triage calls based on the risk and issues presented by the callers
   2. De-escalate crisis situations through the phone
   3. Conduct phone-based risk assessment on person-of-interest (POI) to determine the risk of harm to self and others
   4. Obtain a comprehensive history of the POI (e.g. medical, social, psychological, forensic)
   5. Formulate and carry out appropriate management plans, in consult with the IMH ES consultant if necessary
   6. Provide clinical, administrative and referral information to callers
   7. Arrange for onsite visits or make referrals to community partners
   8. Ensure accurate and timely documentation of calls
   9. Escalate difficult cases to Reporting Officer for advice
2. Provide onsite crisis intervention or counselling
   1. Conduct onsite visits to perform risk and psychosocial assessments for POI
   2. Determine management plan in consult with IMH ES consultant
   3. Escort POI to IMH or other Restructured Hospitals for further treatment if necessary
   4. Assist to reschedule POI’s outpatient appointment for earlier review if necessary
   5. Provide psycho-education to POI and their family members
   6. Refer POI to appropriate community partners where necessary
   7. Conduct counselling or therapy sessions for referred inpatients during their admission
3. Post-intervention follow-up
   1. Monitor cases to ensure follow up with the next care provider
   2. Conduct a warm handoff to the next care provider
4. Community training and outreach
   1. Attend road show, meetings, networking sessions as assigned
   2. Conduct training sessions as assigned
5. General administration
   1. Perform general administrative duties e.g. correspondence with internal and/or external partners
   2. Support collaboration of statistics and maintenance of database
   3. Attend multi-agency case conferences as assigned
   4. Perform other duties or projects as assigned

Requirements:

Competency

1. Team player with a passion for patient care and community support
2. Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills

Educational and Professional Requirements

1. Recognised Degree in Psychology, Nursing, Social Work or Counselling
2. Willing to work on a rotating shift and be mobilised to conduct crisis intervention in the community
3. 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.