Clinical Psychologist (HPC/ALH 2) - St. Elizabeth Health Services

Job Purpose:

Under the general direction of the Medical Officer of Health, the Psychologist has clinical responsibilities regarding families affected by HIV. This includes the responsibility of ensuring the clients are provided with optimum psychological care through evaluation, diagnosis and management of clients, networking with schools, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), other agencies and through public education. Additionally, the Psychologist will provide psychotherapy for clients in treatment facilities. 

Qualification and Experience:

• MSc. Degree in Psychology 
• At least two (02) years’ experience in Child Psychology and Counselling 
• Experience counselling HIV positive clients would be an asset 

Specific Knowledge/Required Skills/Competencies:

• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality; and interests; learning and motivation 
• Knowledge of Psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral disorders 
• Knowledge of psychological theories and practices 
• Knowledge of Psychoanalysis 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Excellent analytical skills 
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills 
• Excellent leadership and management skills 
• Networking skills 
• Well developed counselling skills 

Key Responsibilities:

Technical 

• Participates in the preparation of yearly programme plans for the People Living HIV facilities in the Region. 
• Participates in the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports and any other reports as deemed necessary. 
• Facilitates and conducts research on issues related to adolescents and adults living with HIV. 
• Represents the HIV/STI Programme at meetings called by other government departments and agencies and makes presentations as requested. 
• The Psychologist will provide psychotherapy for adolescents and adults, both in the infected and affected in treatment facilities. 

Direct Client Service/Professional Responsibilities 

• Evaluates all new People Living with HIV and infected children and adolescents who are referred to the services to facilitate diagnosis and management. 
• Provides crisis consultation, Counselling and therapeutic techniques with PLHIV. These include: 
  • Individual Psychotherapy 
  • Group Therapy 
  • Family Therapy/ Couple therapy 
  • Parenting Sessions /Psycho educational sessions 
• Conducts home visits when necessary to gather information, which facilitates effective evaluation and management of clients. This involves interviewing Parents and or other family members in the home setting. 
• Liaises with other agencies, for example, the Child Development Agency, the Family Court, and PATH, JFLL, JFLAG, JN+ and the police to facilitate information sharing and effective referral and management of clients. 
• Prepares Mental Status Examination reports and progress reports for the clients seen in the treatment site, Court, Child Development Agency, School and other interested agencies. 
• Delivers educational talks/presentation to civic groups, schools, churches and other community-based organizations on topics related to HIV/STI/TB. 
• Participates in the training of health and non-health professionals in areas of discrimination and stigma, complaints mechanism, financial limitation, disclosure, Psychosocial support, and the referral processes. 
• Develops and provides psychological counselling and guidance services which assist PLHIV including Adolescents and their families. 
• Recommends, selects and refers to the most appropriate and the most favourable conditions for PLHIV. 
• Provides crisis consultation, psychological counselling & therapeutic techniques to employees under the EAP Programme. 
• Initiates and conducts quantitative and qualitative research as well as disseminate research findings. 
• Attends conferences to keep abreast of developing information and techniques.
• Any other job-related duties as assigned. 

NB. ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.