Clinical Psychologist

WHAT IS MSF ?

Médecins Sans Frontières/أطباء بلا حدود  بلا أطباء (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people in 70 countries who are affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation and our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.

We offer basic healthcare, perform surgery, fight epidemics, rehabilitate and run hospitals and clinics, carry out vaccination campaigns, operate nutrition centers, and provide mental healthcare. Our activities include the treatment of injuries and disease, maternal care and the provision of humanitarian aid. Where necessary, we set up sanitation systems, supply safe drinking water, and distribute relief to assist survival.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project started in Sept. 2013 in Shatila, where MSF currently manages an outpatient center for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), vaccination services with transversely integrated mental health services and health promotion, and referrals for patients who require services beyond the scope of MSF activities. Additionally MSF opened a women’s health center with sexual and reproductive health care.
During 2018, low risk deliveries were relocated from Shatila to Rafik Hariri University Hospital compound, where MSF runs a Birth Centre. MSF took this as an opportunity to work together with external partners as catalyst for change around midwifery model of care and demedicalization of deliveries. The antenatal care services remains in the camps, to serve the most vulnerable women.
In Bourj el Barajneh camp, besides the above mentioned activities, MSF provides in addition home based care for those patients who are housebound or bedridden often due to an advanced NCD disease.

MSF BIRTH CENTER (BC)

The MSF Birth Center is unique in Lebanon, in its objective to develop a midwife led model of care. The midwives are responsible  for all of the deliveries and are only required to consult the obstetrician in case of complications. The model focuses on low risk pregnancies. There is an assesment room for all patients being followed in ANC, including the higher risk cases and they may attend at any time to be assessed. The most important role of the obstetrician is to manage any complicated cases either in BC or prior to referral to another hospital, and to be active in teaching, coaching and empowering of the midwives and nurses to help develop the midwife led model of care.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Providing psychological support to patients according to MSF principles, standards and procedures in order to improve the patients’ mental health.

MSF clinics are located in Shatila and Bourj al Barajne camps and the selected candidate may be based in either or both camps. Work hours are currently 8:00 am to 4:30pm, however, there is a probability  of evening or weekend sessions, depending on the development of project activities.

Sessions are both individual and group and raising awareness in the community.

DETAILED ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Carrying out evaluation of mental health needs of patients and establishing a diagnosis and a plan of treatment. Informing the patient and his/her relatives about the possible consequences of the illness and the drug treatment to follow and referring patients to other health professionals whenever necessary, in order to provide the most appropriate treatment and improve the patient's condition
• Implementing the Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) protocol, identifying possible victims of SGBV and referring them to the medical team so that they receive the necessary treatment.
• Providing psychological support and psychotherapy sessions (individual, family, group) to patients according to MSF protocols in order to improve their mental health conditions
• Assisting and training staff members and resourceful people whenever necessary in order to enhance the scope of MH activities. Working in close collaboration with translators, counsellor and cultural mediator in order to ensure appropriate terminology and behaviour during sessions
• Collecting statistical and monitoring data about mental health activities
• Informing the supervisor and the medical team about any issues or problems that may arise related to patients’ treatment in order to provide the best possible solution from a medical perspective
• Ensuring that all patient information is kept confidential.

ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Open mindeness and flexibility – availability to work/collaborate with people from various background, origin, religion, etc.
• Providing individual psychotherapy and psychotherapeutical group session activities
• Managing patient’s files and data collection according to MSF protocols and maintain it updated
• Taking active part in case discussions and meetings within the project
• Team spirit and collaboration: MSF aim to provide medical and mental health care in a multi disciplinary approach – availability to work with other medical, paramedical and psycho-social components
• MSF aim to respect patient’s right and dignity, according to MSF protocols and values – Adherence to MSF values is mandatory

REQUIREMENTS

Education: Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. Registered (or in process) in the Ministry of Health, Lebanon as a licensed

Experience: Minimum 2 years experience as a psychologist. Desirable previous experience with MSF or other NGO’s.

Desirable - high degree of competency and/or experience working with children and families in community and/or resource limited settings

Essential-In depth knowledge and/or experience in evidenced based approaches for treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma and/or violence

Languages: Fluency in English and Arabic are essential

IT skills: computer literacy (word, excel and internet)

Soft Skills: Results and Quality Orientation, Teamwork and Cooperation, Commitment to MSF Principles, Stress Management