Psychologist (Full time) in MSF Akkar project

Do you have a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology and a few years of experience as a clinical psychologist?

 Do you want to be part of our ambitious mental health strategy in Jandulah, Wadi Khalid? 

From our clinic in Jandulah, MSF is working to improve access to mental health care for the population of Wadi Khalid and reduce the stigma towards mental health by providing direct mental health care and focusing on capacity building of surrounding public health care centers. 

ABOUT MSF

Médecins Sans Frontières/أطباء بلا حدود (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.
 

ABOUT OUR PROJECT IN WADI KHALID

The project started in December 2016 in Jandulah, Wadi Khalid, where MSF is currently managing a clinic and providing health services within non-communicable disease (NCD), paediatric consultations, vaccinations with transversely integrated mental health services and health promotion and referrals for patients who require services beyond the scope of MSF activities.

Mental health activities have been part of the project since the beginning in 2016 and will be an even more important component of the project in the future. We provide mental health care by offering psychiatrist and psychologist consultations. In order to raise awareness to mental health we are about to launch school programs and we have a strong focus on capacity building in the local communities.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

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

“Working hours are currently 8.15 am to 4.15 pm, and area of operation is Wadi Khalid.”

DETAILED ACCOUNTABILITIES

Activities more in details:

• 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
• Accurate and timely Assessment, case formulation, and treatment planning for individual or family sessions
• Adhere to MSF MHPSS clinical guidelines, ethical guidelines
• Adhere to MSF MHPSS file storage guidelines
• 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.
• Collecting statistical and monitoring data about mental health activities and giving input to the supervisor to identify improvements.
• 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 (mental health) perspective
• Communicate and collaborate closely with the medical team: CE’s, doctors, nurses, health promotor, social worker, pharmacist, data-analyst and all other staff of the medical team.
• Ensuring that all patient information are kept confidential. 

Teamwork

• Participate actively to MH team meetings, staff meteings, trainings and team activities.
• Participate actively to interdisciplinary meetings.
• Ensure a efficient collaboration and communication with the social worker when needed (weekly meetings, follow-up on complex cases), respecting confidentiality.
• Ensure efficient collaboration and communication with MH team members: counselor educators, psychiatrist, MH supervisor.
• Ensure quality communication with medical and non-medical staff.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION: Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology required.

Candidates having or being in the process of registration with the Ministry of Health, Lebanon as a licensed psychologist will have a head start.

EXPERIENCE: minimum 2-year experience as a psychologist.

Demonstrated interest and passion in working with vulnerable persons in low resource settings necessary.

Desirable:

• previous experience with MSF or other NGO’s in resource limited settings
• previous experience working with children, youth and families
• previous experience in evidenced based approaches for treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma and/or violence

LANGUAGES: Fluency in English and Arabic is essential

IT SKILLS: Desirable computer literacy (word, excel and internet)

SOFT SKILLS

Result and Quality Orientation: candidate works independently and takes responsibility for reaching objectives while complying with procedures.

Teamwork and Cooperation: is a team player who shares information and coordinates with team members in order to reach common goals.

Behavioural Flexibility: is flexible in applying and adapting procedures, looks for adaptable solutions in order to achieve objectives.

Stress Management: is able to manage own stress and expresses awareness of own stress level.

Commitment to MSF's Principles: demonstrates loyalty, awareness and respect for MSF's values