Psychologist

** This announcement is a re-advertisement. If already applied to this position, please, no need to re-apply**

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.

MSF offers 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.

Vision of the Post:

The project’s operational strategy is to provide patient centred care of chronic wounds, including burns, elective surgery and post-burn injury plastic surgery. The interdisciplinary clinical team works collaboratively with parents and other caregivers to identify developmentally appropriate medical and therapeutic goals.   According to MSF principles and protocols, the psychologist will provide assessment and evidence-based curative services to improve the patients’ developmental, social and emotional healing and recovery post injury and/or surgery. In addition to working with the patient, the psychologist will also provide psych educational support and safety/prevention information for the caregivers to encourage healthy attachments and enhance safety practices in the home to help prevent future injuries.

Accountabilities

• Carry out evidence informed assessment regarding the mental health and psychosocial needs of patients living with chronic wounds, post-burn injury complications and surgical pathologies according to MSF guidelines and protocols. Accurately identify social/ emotional and developmental challenges being faced by the patient
• Offer emotional, educational and social support to the patients and their caregivers in order to strengthen safety, and promote recovery and prevent future injuries/wounds for patient in both home and community based settings.
• Together with the patient and caregivers, establishing a plan of treatment, and informing about the possible outcomes of complying and not complying with treatment and follow up reccomendations
• Provide psychoeducational information on the specific challenges the patient is facing/likely to face due to the wound/burn/post and implement evidence informed interventions to overcome such challenges (ex. Social skills, emotional regulation, self esteem building, practicing/modelling activities to stimulate fine and gross motor skills)
• Be able to respond using brief and solution focused therapies and deliver crisis management, and discharge planning for medical/paramedical staff facing MHPSS related challenges in inpatient in MSF facility (Safety planning for suspected abuse, Self-harm, suicidal, acute/extreme psychosomatic reactions, phobias etc.)
• Keep accurate, timely, and detailed records of all patient interactions, ensuring that all patient information is kept confidential and stored according to MSF storage and documenting guidelines and policies.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision  – discussing patient cases in detail with functional line manager (MHAM or other) in order to increase quality of clinical practice, discuss any emergency or protection concerns and seek out resources/tools to improve the quality and scope of MHPSS related services
• Inform their direct and technical supervisor and relevant medical team members about any risks, issues or problems that may arise related to patients’ treatment and/or safety in order to provide the best possible solution from a medical and mental health perspective
• Actively and accurately represent MSF to external organizations and regularly attend Mental Health taskforce meetings  hosted by the Ministry of Public Health and WHO
• Refer patients to other medical, psychosocial or protection professionals whenever necessary, in order to provide the most appropriate treatment, improve the patient’s condition, and prevent further harm.
• Actively collaborate with the social work/ health promotion teams when relavant in and out of MSF facility

Requirements:

• Education:

  • Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, Psychiatric nursing, Educational Psychology, Counselling, or related field.
  • Be in possession of (or in process), of registration with the Ministry of Public Health, Lebanon as a clinical psychologist  
  • Certification/coursework in psychometrics- preferred

• Required Experience:

  • 2+ years of experience as a clinical psychologist working with children and families
  • Working knowledge of child development, individual and family therapy models, cognitive behavioural therapy, behaviour management, brief solution focused therapy, systemic and attachment based models, and crisis intervention using a trauma informed approach. 
  • Demonstrate a working an understanding of mental health and psychosocial challenges experienced by children and families living in the Informal tent settlements in the Beqaa Valley
  • Working knowledge of child and adolescent stages of motor, social and emotional development
  • Experience working with marginalized communities in humanitarian/displacement settings
  • Demonstrated interest and passion in working with refugees, children and families
  • Previous experience with MSF or other NGO’s is an asset

• Languages:

  • Fluency in Arabic and English is Mandatory

• Knowledge:

  • Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet)

SOFT SKILLS

• MSF VALUES of neutrality, respect, transparency, trust, accountability
• Result and Quality Orientation
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• Behavioural Flexibility
• Stress Management/ crisis management
• Commitment