At SMSH, patients receive the highest quality care available through the services of an interdisciplinary treatment team. Our Clinical Director, a board certified psychiatrist with many years of experience, heads up our teams. The treatment teams include a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, mental health technician, a registered dietitian, a recreation therapist and licensed representatives from social and psychological services. The hospital staff also includes board certified psychiatrists and licensed psychologists.

Patients' length of stay is intended to be 14 - 21 days. Emphasis is placed on a total continuum of care, including pre-admission, inpatient, aftercare and crisis intervention. It is our goal to be a part of the mental healthcare system for our patients, working cooperatively with other service providers in positively influencing outcomes and the overall care of our patients.

The Crisis Intervention Center in Laurel is a 16-bed unit for adults and employs about 40 people. It provides short-term acute psychiatric stabilization for adults who reside in south Mississippi. As a satellite operation of South Mississippi State Hospital, the Crisis Intervention Center serves as an extension of the program in Purvis.

Between Laurel and Purvis, we employ about 150 people. Active Treatment Technicians make up the largest number of employees with 30 in Purvis and 18 in Laurel.  After that we have RN's with 19 in Purvis and 12 in Laurel. Our positions also include: social workers, psychologists, recreation therapists, nurse practitioners and psychiatrists. Our non-clinical staff includes: administrative assistants, payroll, human resources, accounts payable, billing, maintenance, housekeeping and food service.

Growth opportunities
Growth and career progression exist in nursing, technician and police roles. In Nursing, the levels RN I, RN II and RN III are based on experience, even though the jobs themselves don't necessarily differ. An RN, with enough experience, can start with us as an RN III.

Unless they have worked in the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, technicians must start at the first of three levels and attend six classroom modules. The modules are designed to teach them about mental illness and how to deal with patients. They must complete the modules before they can move to level II. After one year at level II, they can then move to level III. Police Trainees can also move to Police Officer after attending the academy and completing one year on the job.

Typically, our technicians like to help people, and they are compensated with the highest pay in the area.  Experienced RN's are often attracted to the eight-hour shifts, and many want to try something different that they haven't done before.

A wide selection of delicious hot or cold lunches is available for all staff and evening meals are available if ordered ahead of time, all for only a little more than $2 per meal.

Friends of South Mississippi State Hospital is a volunteer-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting understanding of mental health and the needs of individuals with mental illness, improving the quality of life for patients, and providing recognition and support for employees. Membership is made up of individuals from the hospital staff and support personnel, members of civic and service groups and individuals from the community. Anyone who is interested in serving as an advocate for individuals with mental illness can be a member. Annual membership fees are $10.00.