Mental Health Nurse

Main responsibilities:   Function as a triage/coordination focal point between somatic unit and mental health unit Take over role of case manager in complex cases, where it needs coordination with social worker and/or community and/or secondary level mental health care and/or follow up/rehabilitation Assist in setting up of mental health documentation and data collection Take over psychosocial counselling sessions Ensure and follow up psychopharmacological medication Assist Psychiatrist in psychopharmacological stock management   Main responsibilities and activities of the nurse can change according to the organization of the mobile clinic and to the composition of the team   Main Activities:   Narrative:   The mental health nurse plays a key role in the coordination of mental health care. In joint effort with the somatic registration nurse they will triage the patients to the appropriate unit. In clear somatic cases the patient will be referred to the somatic health care unit. In clear mental health cases, the patient will be referred to the mental health care unit. The biggest challenge will be with psychosomatic cases. Many somatic symptoms presented at primary health care level are rooted in mental health disturbances. Typical examples are chronic headaches, musculo-sceletal pains and gastro-intestinal disturbances (colon irritabile). It is vital that these cases are primarily investigated on a somatic base. Only if no somatic explanation can be found, the referral to the mental health unit should be initiated. According to multiple studies and investigations in a broad range of countries, the percentage of psychosomatic cases presenting in primary health care level reaches up to 50% and even more. The job of the mental health nurse will be in collaboration with the somatic nurse to ensure a smooth transfer of these cases from somatic to mental health care unit, sometimes back and forth. In addition, the majority of mental health cases are of chronic nature. The crucial point in these cases is a clearly defined case manager who coordinates, organizes and follow-up these cases. This implies high managerial skills and strong communication and coordination abilities. In addition the position demands patience, own stable mental health status and the philosophical understanding of dealing with irrationality. The position demands a strong team player who is able to mediate between different parties involved with the case. An understanding of mental health disorders is necessary to be able to understand and deal with peculiar behaviour which lies outside of our rational approach of causality. Empathy is crucial to maintain a compassionate handling of people with mental health problems. On the other hand, an exaggerated empathic soul might have problems with keeping the necessary distance to be able to perform this job for a longer time. The bio-psycho-social model should be part of the explanatory personal frame in which mental health cases are located.             Behaviour:   To behave with self-restraint at all times and treat the patients kindly and respect their dignity To be able to work as part of a team and participate in all activities of the mobile clinic Believe in concepts of equity, human rights, neutrality and impartiality and act accordingly     Requested Competence:   Degree in nursing Specialisation as mental health nurse or at least practical experience with mental health cases Fluent in Arabic language Mentally stable with the capacity to endure energy taking cases Good common sense and a view for the “global picture” Mediation skills High capacity of taking over the perspective of others Strong in Communication and Cooperation Excellent managerial skills Genuine empathy