Counsellor (1-year contract)

NHG Health; Singapore; On-site; SGD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) Singapore-based crisis support role is hosted by NHG Health. The position involves 24-hour shift coverage, handling call-in patients, triaging to the IMH Crisisline, and providing frontline crisis counselling and assessments.

Ideal candidates hold a recognised degree in Psychology, Nursing, Social Work or Counselling and possess 2–4 years of mental health experience. Rotating shifts and collaboration with IMH ES consultants are essential aspects of the role.

Qualifications

• Recognised degree in psychology, nursing, social work or counselling.
• Willing to work on rotating shifts and be mobilised for crisis intervention in the community.
• 2–4 years of experience in mental healthcare or counselling preferred.
• Able to commit to shifts (7am–2pm / 10am–5pm / 5pm–10pm / 10pm–7am).

Responsibilities

• Manage calls through the IMH Crisisline and triage calls based on risk.
• Provide onsite crisis intervention or counselling and psychosocial assessments.
• Escalate difficult cases to Reporting Officer for advice.
• Conduct risk assessments and document calls accurately and timely.
• Coordinate referrals to community partners and arrange onsite visits.

Skills

Team player

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Degree in Psychology, Nursing, Social Work or Counselling

Job description

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. This role operates on a shift basis to support 24-hour service coverage.

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
• Able to commit to shifts (7am-2pm / 10am-5pm / 5pm-10pm / 10pm-7am)

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.