PSYCHOLOGIST

Main Purpose:

Providing Mental Health Psychosocial Support in MSF Bar Elias Hospital and Community settings according to MSF principles, standards and procedures in order to improve the patients’ mental health 

Accountabilities:

• Carry out assessment of mental health needs in Bar Elias and surrounding area community
• Plan and follow-up (in collaboration with MMHAM and PMR) the implementation of community based MHPSS intervention in Bar Elias and surrounding area (Refugee camps and host population)
• Coordinate and collaborate with other MHPSS actors in Central Bekaa and West Bekaa
• Provide Individual and Group Mental Health Psychosocial Support activities in Bar Elias and surrounding community according to MSF protocols
• Provide technical support/training (in collaboration with MMHAM) to Community Mental Health Workers (CMHW) in the implementation of Psychosocial Support (PSS) activities in the community (Refugee camps and host population).
• Evaluate patients and elaborate diagnosis and a treatment plan. Informing the patient and his/her relatives about the possible consequences of the MH symptoms 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
• Assess and evaluate at all times the changes in mental health needs/ identification of specific vulnerable subgroups(s) within the target population in collaboration with the medical team
• Inform the Mental Health referent and the medical team about any issues or problems that may arise related to patients’ assessment and treatment in order to provide the best quality of services
• Ensure timely MH reports are done and certificates are prepared for the patients.
• Ensure proper networking, maintain and keep updated the mapping of other actors providing MH support.
• Provide information on pertinent psychological issues and concerns and psycho-education for patients, their families
• Attend in an appropriate welcoming and confidential manner all patients seeking care in the facility
• Participate and provide input to the Mental Health team meetings and case discussions
• Ensure complete documentation of all MHPSS activities (group and individual), in the patient file and statistic sheets
• Actively participate in all meetings and trainings planned in the project
• Inform the line manager about problems exceeding one’s competence, ask for support
• Availability to work in different places according to the needs of the MSF target population
• Implement MH activities according to MSF standards and procedures
• Ensuring that all patient information is kept confidential

Referral of Patients

• Refer patients to other health professionals available in the area (PHCs, Hospitals, MSF) according to the internal procedure whenever necessary in order to provide the most appropriate treatment
• Refer patients to social workers whenever necessary
• Collaborate with HP department to trace the defaulters.

Team Work and Training

• Maintain a close and regular collaboration and exchange of information with the other MSF professionals linked with Mental Health activities
• Work in close collaboration with Community Mental Health Workers (CMHW) in order to ensure that appropriate terminology and behavior are used during sessions and ensure support after difficult consultations
• Assist and provide training/sensitization to MSF staff members, identified partners and resourceful people whenever necessary in order to enhance the scope of Mental Health activities
• Promote Mental Health services offered in collaboration with the Health Promotion team Ensuring that all patient information is kept confidential.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology
• Validation to work as Clinical Psychologist by NMHP (MOH) Lebanon (Preferable)
• An official certificate of completed clinical training/practicum in a university center consisting of at least 100 hours of training under supervision by a scholar and 300 hours of applied training

Experience

• 2 years of experience in clinical psychology
• Good knowledge of MHPSS activities and PSS community based approach is an asset
• Previous experience working in MHPSS programs with other NGOs is an asset
• Knowledge of the MHPSS Service Network in the community is an asset

Languages                      

• Very good knowledge in Written and Spoken Arabic &  English.

Knowledge

• Desirable computer literacy (word, excel and internet)

Competencies

• Results and Quality Orientation L2
• Teamwork and Cooperation L2
• Behavioral Flexibility L2
• Commitment to MSF Principles L2
• Stress Management L3
• Cross-cultural Awareness L2