MILIEU SPECIALIST - PSYCH

Shift:Three 12-hour shifts 0700-1930, weekend days
Department: Missouri Psychiatric Center (MUPC)
Compensation:

* Base Pay Range: $22.00 - $34.74 per hour, based on experience

* Shift Differentials: Additional $1.75 per hour for weekend shift

ABOUT THE JOB

MU Health Care is looking for a compassionate, emotionally intelligent professional who thrives in a fast-paced behavioral health setting and is passionate about making a real difference in patients' lives. The ideal candidate is a calming presence, a natural communicator, and a supportive role model who builds trust through empathy and consistency. If you excel at de-escalating tense situations, promoting emotional well-being, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, we want to meet you. You'll play a key role in helping patients build healthy interpersonal skills and navigate their recovery in a safe and respectful environment. At MU Health Care, we are focused on the highest standards of patient-centered care-join us and be part of something meaningful.

ABOUT THE MISSOURI PSYCHIATRIC CENTER (MUPC)

The Missouri Psychiatric Center (MUPC) offers short-term, intensive inpatient treatment services for adults, adolescents and children at our facility adjacent to University Hospital in Columbia, MO. The center's 61 inpatient beds are divided among three units. A 17-bed unit serves pre-adolescents, ages 5-12, and adolescents, ages 13-17, two units with a total of 44 beds serve adults. The MU Psychiatric Center also offers an emergency room assessment unit for both adult and pediatric patients to help with crisis stabilization, intake and discharge planning for patients. We provide special training in non-violent crisis intervention (Crisis Prevention Institute) and additional special training in behavioral therapy, therapeutic communication, group skills, and more!

ABOUT MU HEALTH CARE

At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. We believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger - to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.

Our academic health system - the only in mid-Missouri - is home to multiple hospitals, including the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center and region's only Children's Hospital as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here, you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions - with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.

Learn more about MU Health Care.

Learn more about living in mid-Missouri.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

* Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one

* Generous paid leave and paid time off, including nine holidays

* Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8%and full vesting in three years

* Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%)

* Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more

* See a comprehensive list of benefitshere.

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION

Promote a calm milieu by providing individual support and monitoring to patients as indicated/assigned. Actively manage the milieu through interactions with individual patients on a regular/frequent basis. Encourage patients to act at a level equal to their ability.

Function as a role model for patients on the unit to show ways to effectively relate to others, to get one's needs met, and to enhance/develop social competencies, and interpersonal awareness. Serves as a resource and point of contact for information, guidance, and support for patients.

Work in collaboration with staff and the treatment team. Communicate in a warm and empathetic manner.

Ensure a compassionate, high-quality, exemplary customer-driven culture. Validate the patient's needs and rights.

Be mindful of times of increased activity or stress on the unit to prevent escalation. Redirect unhealthy/risky behaviors on the spot by giving feedback and alternative strategies. De-escalate patients, and in emergencies, provide appropriate crisis intervention techniques to maintain patients in the least restricting manner.

May complete unit/department-specific duties and expectations as outlined in department documents.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in social work, behavioral therapies (counseling, psychology, therapeutic recreation, occupational therapy), or a related area, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities can be acquired.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Mental health experience.

Additional license/certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. This position is very active and requires ambulating, reaching, and moving objects weighing up to and over 20 lbs.

This role also routinely comes into contact with patients who may have contagious illnesses. This position is in a health care facility open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rotating shifts as well as holiday and work during inclement weather will be required.

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.