Clinical Researcher in Psychology

• As a certified psychotherapist, take an active role in all proposed research and/or mental health assessments to be conducted on the field.
• Approach and recruit families to the VaST research study, including taking informed consent from caregivers and assent from children (age 8-16 years)
• Conduct a standardized diagnostic interview focused on mental health (MINI KID) with Syrian refugee children selected to be at high or low risk for mental health problems, and assign provisional diagnoses of mental disorders based on professional clinical experience and diagnostic tool in order to assess the tools and the analyses done previously.
• Participate in group discussions for providing feedback during supervision to review administration of the MINI KID interview and agree mental health related-diagnoses for own cases and those of colleagues with supervisor, case by case
• Collect data using culturally adapted screening questionnaires on mental health from Syrian children and their caregivers
• Enter data from standardized interviews and measurement tools into secure online databases
• Identify high risk cases and ensure appropriate referral within MdM

Main responsibilities and activities of the Clinical Researcher in Psychology can change according to the organization of the work and to the composition of the team.

1. Recruit families to the VaST study and conduct assessments

• Following training, recruit suitable families to the VaST study.
• Follow the informed consent procedures and ensure consent from caregivers and assent from children to take part in the research study.
• Conduct a standardized clinical interview in the capacity of a certified psychotherapist, the MINI KID, with children recruited to the study and assign provisional diagnoses of mental disorders based on their professional clinical interviews and evaluation and on this interview (under supervision) in settlements and/or MdM clinics in West and Central Bekaa
• Use a number of culturally adapted screening tools with participating children and caregivers to assess mental health problems and disability.

1. Collect, enter, and manage data

• Enter data from questionnaires into a secure online system using a tablet device during the interview
• Enter data from the MINI KID interview into a secure online system after the interview
• Enter summary data into databases to monitor recruitment and completion of study assessments and report progress to supervisor
• Ensure hard copies of documents (interview schedule, consent and assent forms, etc.) are appropriately stored
• Ensure attention to confidentiality at all times

1. Identify high risk cases and liaise with the MdM Mental Health Team to ensure appropriate referral

• Based on the clinical evaluations as a certified psychotherapist, identify children or caregivers at immediate risk of harm (e.g., child protection, gender-based violence, self-harm or suicidal ideation) and promptly feed-back clinical evaluations to the mental health team and refer other cases to the mental health team
• Liaise with MdM mental health staff to take steps to ensure safety of individuals at risk in a prompt manner

1. Attend supervision sessions and provide feedbacks

• Participate in group discussions during supervision sessions/meetings on a weekly (or need basis) to review administration of the MINI KID interview and agree diagnoses of mental health disorders,
• Provide technical feedbacks to their colleagues (CM, Filed work Coordinator, other MH team members) , in close coordination with the supervisor, regarding each case seen per week and the diagnose proposed, as well as discuss the cases of colleagues and their diagnoses

1. Develop reports

• Draft and submit daily and weekly reports, as needed and requested by the Fieldwork Coordinator with attention to details

1. Establish and maintain clear communication channels

• Communicate challenges promptly to the line manager
• Establish clear communication lines with the Fieldwork Coordinator at MdM as well as with the study coordinator at QMUL, as needed
• Attend weekly Skype calls with the team at QMUL and the Fieldwork Coordinator

This job description can be modified at any time according to changes in MdM activities or in the context with prior notice and agreement between the two parties. On demand of the direct supervisor, other tasks might be added to that present list.

Behaviour:

Requested Competence/Skills/Profile