Psychologist

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 remain 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

MSF clinics are located in Shatila and Bourj al Barajne camps and the selected candidate may be based in either or both camps as well as supporting BC in Hairiri Hospital. Work hours are currently 8:00 am to 4:30pm, however, there is a probability of evening or weekend sessions, if emergencies occur.

Informing the patient and his/her relatives about the possible consequences of the illness and treatment as well as referring patients to other health professionals whenever necessary in order to provide the most appropriate care and improve the patient's condition.

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 treatment to follow as well as referring patients to other health professionals whenever necessary to provide the most appropriate care 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 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.

Specific Accountabilities :

Psychologist is providing specialized mental health care and psychosocial activities to vulnerable populations in Shatila and Bourj El Barajneh camps as well as in Birth Center of Hairiri Hospital.

• Open mindeness and flexibility – availability to work/collaborate with people from various background, origin, religion, etc.
• Providing individual psychotherapy.
• Providing individual PSS session to homebound patients in BB and Shatila camps.
• Providing psychotherapeutical and/or PSS group session activities in the clinics and in the field.
• Updating patient’s files and data collection according to MSF protocols.
• Taking active part in case discussions and meetings within the project
• Team spirit and collaboration: MSF aims to provide medical and mental health care in a multi disciplinary approach – availability to work with other medical, paramedical and psycho-social components
• MSF aims to respect patient’s rights and dignity, according to MSF protocols and values – Adherence to MSF values is mandatory, experience in patient centered-care and multidisciplinary case-management is an asset as it will be expected
• Basic computer literacy is mandatory (e.g: excel, word, mailbox / communication)
• Work hours are currently 8-4.30pm

Qualifications:

Education: 

Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.

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 (an official form is available). For psychologists who graduated 5 years or more ago and cannot get this certificate a substitute exists and will be accepted.

Lebanese colloquium certificate for clinical psychologists.

MoPH License to practice clinical psychology profession in Lebanon

Experience: 

Essential 2 years’ experience minimum as a Clinical Psychologist

Basic computer literacy is mandatory (excel, word, outlook)

Desirable previous experience with MSF or other NGO’

Desirable previous experience with violence related programs, and/or with neglected/vulnerable population groups and/or clinic of trauma, and/or transcultural clinic, working with NCD patients

Languages:English and Arabic are essential

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