Psychiatrist-Beirut-RHUH

Origin of the request

Médecins du Monde (MdM) is an international humanitarian organization that provides medical care to the most vulnerable populations affected by war, natural disasters, disease, famine, poverty and exclusion, those who do not have access to health care and those who the world is gradually forgetting. 

MdM has been working in Lebanon for more than 30 years from the response to the civil war in the 1980s to the Syrian crisis that emerged in 2011 and during the recent political turmoil and instability in Lebanon. MdM mainly works in the sector of Health (sub-sector Primary Health Care and Mental Health), while ensuring cross cutting subjects in Gender Based Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Since 2012, in cooperation with civil society organizations as well as national and local authorities, MdM’s intervention aimed at increasing access to quality primary healthcare and strengthening the national primary healthcare system. Moreover, MdM has been actively engaged in providing access to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services and reducing the impact of the Syrian crisis and of the economic crisis on the mental and physical health of the Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese. MdM is working at integrating mental health in the primary healthcare system and contributing to the development of community-based mental healthcare services. 

MdM team is providing MHPSS services in Rafic Hariri University Hospital (RHUH) Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) through the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC). The MHPSS team consists of psychotherapists, case managers, nurse and psychiatrist. This team takes part in the pilot project of the National Mental Health Program (NMHP) for the integration of Mental health services at primary health care level which also includes the PHCC staff.

DESCRIPTION of the ASSIGNMENT

Provision of psychiatric care to service users with mental health conditions in the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC), in Rafic Hariri University Hospital (RHUH) Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in coordination with the multidisciplinary team and in line with the National Mental Health Program (NMHP) Mental Health Integration Pilot guidelines.

• Conduct a comprehensive in-depth psychiatric assessment and establish a diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan for the service users referred by the case managers/social workers taking in consideration the relevant inputs of the other team’s professionals.
• If not screened by a General Practitioners (GP), collect information regarding service users’ medical history, assess the service user’s general physical condition and refer them when needed for further medical evaluation.
• Provide psychiatric treatment to service users based on the treatment plan.
• Provide pharmacological treatment in line with the Guide for the Rational Prescription of Medications for Priority Mental and Neurological Conditions for Specialists in the Public Health System of the MoPH and WHO.
• Provide psycho-education to the service users and/or their family or trusted other when appropriate, following a service user centered care approach, to allow for informed decision making concerning the treatment.
• Provide suicide risk management and safety planning for service users at risk of suicidality.
• Monitor response to treatment, manage severe side-effects and modify the treatment accordingly, in coordination with the nurse.
• Coordinate with the nurse on diagnostic tests results and possible treatment side effects.
• Review and evaluate treatment progress and outcomes with psychotherapists and case managers.
• Decide on and facilitate the hospitalization of patients when needed and in coordination with the CMHC team and the hospital’s psychiatrist.
• Discharge patients from the program and/or refer them to the PHCC GP when they are stabilized on treatment for Prescription Renewal Under the “Community of Practice” and the NMHP MH integration pilot model.

Participation to the case discussions in the CMHC in cooperation with MdM MHPSS team, as well as to training and meetings organized by MdM and NMHP when needed.

• Participate in technical and case discussion meetings with the CMHC multidisciplinary team for ensuring the proper follow up of the service users and sharing of knowledge.
• Attend regular meetings, working sessions and training organized by MdM and the NMHP, including workshops in line with the NMHP MH Integration Pilot.
• Prepare and provide training sessions to the CMHC team on specific topics based on the needs.   

Facilitation of monthly “community of practice” meetings in line with NMHP MH integration pilot model.

Provide monthly guidance and support meetings to PHCCs  GPs trained on Mental Health Integration packages in Primary Health Care following the NMHP MH integration Pilot.

• Provide training and use various facilitation techniques to ensure the transfer of skills, competencies, and knowledge from training to practice and more precisely soft psychosocial skills (rapport, communication, etc.), clinical skills (assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, etc.) and clinical knowledge.
• Encourage and support the adequate delivery of MH assessment and interventions by the GPs according to the NMHP MH integration pilot model and identify areas for further skill development.
• Fill the tools required by the NMHP to document and plan the Community of Practice meetings.

Data and Reporting

• Complete and update all information related to service users' treatment on the designated forms using clear and legible documentation.
• Complete the needed health information on Dharma, PHENICS and/or any other software related to service user information on a daily basis.
• Provide a monthly report to MdM’s MHPSS Coordinator and regularly meet with the MHPSS Coordinator technical team upon need.

Profile:

• Licensed Psychiatrist
• Previous experience in provision of Mental Health services in multidisciplinary teams
• Previous experience working in community setting and/or with Primary Healthcare Centers
• Knowledge on the model for the integration of MH in PHCCs
• Follows a recovery and patient-centered care approach
• Experience with NGO will be an asset.
• Experience with the NMHP MH integration pilot is a plus.

• Knowledge of therapeutic modalities

• Knowledge of Emergency Psychiatry

• Very good knowledge of written and spoken Arabic and English.
• Good computer skills (Microsoft Office)
• Good analytical skills
• Good communication and teamwork skills

SELECTION PROCESS:

A competitive selection process will take place taking into consideration the entire offers including CV, technical and financial aspects.

1. Technical proposal to submit including:

• CV and Cover Letter (Including Certificate and License)
• An appreciation of the terms of reference
• The technical approach
• The provisional working plan (working days during the week and the working hours)
• References of previous employees

1. Financial proposal including:

• The total financial quotation (including MOF tax 7,5% consultancy tax) incorporating the budget allocation (transportation, accommodation, and other fees).
• Terms of payment and payment modality.
• Proposal validity.

Any and all relevant information or deemed of value to MdM.