Mental Health Psychosocial Services Officer

Medical Teams International holds strict child and vulnerable adult safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct related to sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment & selection, hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates’ eligibility thorough background checks, police clearance, and professional reference check processes. 

JOB SUMMARY                                                                                                                                                

Mental Health Psychosocial Support Services Officer contributes to the calling of Medical Teams International by providing quality mental health care services for vulnerable refugee, internally displaced people and host populations. The MHPSS Officer will be responsible for collaborating with other medical staff on the integration of mental health and psychiatric treatment with basic healthcare services in order to ensure the treatment of patients suffering from severe and common mental health and psychiatric disorders and coordinating counselling services.

 JOB RESPONSIBILITIES                                                                                                                                              

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Medical / Technical

• Create comprehensive treatment plans for patients with mental illnesses and psychiatric disorders and refer complicated cases to the doctor for further care.
• Conduct counseling sessions for survivors of traumatic events, including sexual assault, providing emotional support and guidance.
• Train medical staff on the diagnosis and treatment of severe and common mental health disorders to enhance their capacity.
• Administrate the use of psychotropic and other medications, ensuring that reactions are properly monitored.
• Review patient progress regularly and adjust treatment plans as needed to ensure effective care.
• Analyze patient information and symptoms to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
• Support clients in understanding the nature of emotional disturbances and mental illness while emphasizing the cultural context for better acceptance of treatment.
• Reconcile discrepancies in patient records and ensure accurate documentation in accordance with MTI policy and professional standards.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of all patient treatments and interactions.
• Participate in community mobilization and sensitization initiatives to raise awareness about mental health issues.
• Support the management of psychiatric drug supplies for regional health facilities in collaboration with the Team Lead, Pharmacist, and Doctor.
• Provide group counseling sessions to MTI staff working in challenging environments when needed.
• Ensure that data collected is accurate and submit reports within the required schedule.
• Ensure that all medical practices are conducted confidentially, maintaining the highest level of integrity and professionalism according to MTI’s Code of Conduct.
• Promote a safeguarding environment by ensuring compliance with policies related to Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Child & Vulnerable Adult Protection, and harassment-free workplace guidelines.
• Ensure all patients receive treatment based on the Ministry of Health guidelines and IMCI standards, adhering to ethical medical practices.
• Ensure rational use of medications by prescribing only those essential for the patient’s treatment, avoiding overprescription.
• Provide compassionate, respectful, and culturally sensitive care to all patients, fostering an environment of trust and dignity.

Support colleagues in maintaining proper infection control practices to ensure a safe environment for both staff and patients

Other Duties

• Support other areas of the clinic as requested or needed to ensure efficiency and quality of care to all.
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment, disposing of waste and sharps appropriately.
• Other duties as assigned 
• Utilize volunteers, community health workers, translators and incentive workers when appropriate. 

Department Health

Workdays & Hours :Monday-Friday, 40-48 hours/week, occasional weekends and public holidays

Travel Required  Up to 25%

Deployable: Up to 100%

Reports to: Direct: Team Leader

                     Technical: Health & Nutrition Manager, Health Specialist 

Work Team: Program

EDUCATION, LICENSES, & CERTIFICATIONS                                                                                                                       

BSc in Psychiatry

EXPERIENCE                                                                                                                                                                                 

• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience after qualification in providing direct mental health care service. 

• Experience working with INGOs is an added advantage.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES                                                                                                                                         

Knowledge:  

• Knowledge of humanitarian standards, donors, systems and principles, e.g., Sphere, CHS, Red Cross Code of Conduct etc.  
• A basic understanding of health systems. 
• Fluent spoken and written Amharic and English. 
• Strong interpersonal and team skills . 
• Analytical and problem-solving Computer literate, able to work efficiently in Microsoft office on standard or mobile platforms. 

Skills: 

• Moderately skilled with office software: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  
• Moderately skilled with communication software: Outlook, Skype, Internet, CRM (or other database programs).  Humanitarian motivation. 
• Emotionally and spiritually mature.  
• Team player – practical, desire to support the field teams.   Understanding and sensitivity to cross cultural issues.  Flexible and adaptable to ever changing environments.  Ability to remain calm under pressure . 
• Able to build new relationships and gain people’s trust quickly. 
• Integrity in representing Medical Teams Willing to travel to insecure environments.

Abilities: 

• Ability to work flexible schedule and weekends as needed.  
• Ability to prioritize tasks. 
• Ability to embrace and promote Medical Teams International mission and vision. 

Ability to uphold and exemplify the organization’s core values. 

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS                                                                                                                                                             

Physical Requirements: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Frequent use of a personal computer, database and digital platforms, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and computer printer. 
• Frequently uses hands, fingers, and arms to reach, handle, touch or feel equipment, medical instruments, materials, computer. 
• Frequent communication and exchange of information among colleagues and persons of concern which requires the ability to speak, hear, convey and express oneself. 
• Frequent close vision and the ability to adjust focus. 
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, steps, or ladder 
• Occasionally move about inside an office to access file cabinets, office machinery, meet with colleagues, etc. 
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to _50kg. 
• Seldom to occasionally positions oneself to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 
• If in travel status, occasional to frequent traversing over rough or steep terrain in either a motor vehicle or on foot. 

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet. 
• The employee may be required to travel to remote areas of the world where there are potential health hazards and risks, limited hygiene facilities, extreme weather, and very basic living conditions. 

NOTE: The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by staff assigned to this job.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of staff in this position.  Duties, responsibilities, and skills are also subject to change based on the changing needs of the job, department, or organization. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned; The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by Medical Teams International as the requirements of the job change. 

How To Apply

Interested and Qualified Applicants can apply through https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=FtY08Elfj0Odi5pTm7okrBeHQZpXUlZBn3gRp-Om-fFURUk2S0RYMktFU1NRQkIyQzI5VVBTNEpDTi4u