Milieu Specialist - Integrated Medicine

University of Missouri Health Care • Columbia, MO

3d • $22 - $35 • Onsite

About The Position

MU Health Care is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Milieu Specialist to join the nursing team in Integrated Medicine, a 24-bed unit serving medical and surgical patients who also have behavioral needs. The unit provides a safe, therapeutic environment with video monitoring and anti-elopement measures. Its secure, private-room setting includes an open floor plan where patients can socialize and practice community skills with support from the Milieu Specialist. The role works alongside Care Team Associates, nurses, therapy professionals, and physicians as part of a comprehensive care team. A dedicated Behavioral Health Social Worker supports discharge planning, and daily interdisciplinary huddles help coordinate patient care.

The Milieu Specialist supports patients through individual monitoring and regular interaction, encourages healthy functioning and social skills, and helps maintain a calm environment. The position requires collaboration and empathetic communication with staff and patients, attention to patient needs and rights, and the ability to redirect behavior and provide de-escalation or crisis intervention when needed.

This is a full-time, on-site position at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. The schedule is Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., for 40 hours per week. The stated base pay range is $22.00 to $34.74 per hour, based on experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, behavioral therapies (such as counseling, psychology, therapeutic recreation, or occupational therapy), or a related area; alternatively, an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including ambulating, reaching, and moving objects weighing up to and over 20 pounds.
• Ability to work in a healthcare facility that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; rotating shifts, holidays, and work during inclement weather are required.
• Routine contact with patients who may have contagious illnesses.

Nice To Haves

• Mental health experience.
• Additional license or certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Responsibilities

• Promote a calm milieu by providing individual support and monitoring to patients as indicated or assigned, and actively manage the milieu through regular and frequent interactions.
• Encourage patients to function at a level equal to their ability.
• Model effective ways to relate to others, meet personal needs, and develop social competencies and interpersonal awareness; serve as a resource and point of contact for patients seeking information, guidance, and support.
• Collaborate with staff and the treatment team, communicating in a warm and empathetic manner.
• Support a compassionate, high-quality, customer-driven culture and validate patients’ needs and rights.
• Anticipate periods of increased activity or stress to help prevent escalation; redirect unhealthy or risky behaviors, provide feedback and alternatives, de-escalate patients, and use appropriate crisis intervention techniques in emergencies to maintain patients in the least restrictive manner.
• Complete unit- or department-specific duties and expectations as outlined in department documents.

Benefits

• Health, vision, and dental insurance coverage starting day one.
• Generous paid leave and paid time off, including ten 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time