Clinical Psychologist (HPC/ALH 2) - Clarendon Health Department

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. 

Qualifications and Experience:

• MSc. Degree in Clinical Psychology 
• At least two (2) years experience in Child Psychology and Counseling 
• Experience in counselling HIV positive clients would be an asset 

Specific Knowledge and Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation 
• Psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders 
• Principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions and identifying complex problems 
• Programme and evaluation and presentation skills 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills 
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills 
• Strong leadership and counseling skills 
• Basic research skills 
• Computer literacy

Key responsibilities will include:

Technical 

• Participating in the preparation of yearly programme plans for the People Living with HIV(PLHIV) facilities in the Region. 
• Participating in the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports and any other reports as deemed necessary. 
• Facilitating and conducting research on issues related to adolescents and adults living with HIV. 
• Representing 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 

• Evaluating all new People Living with HIV and infected children and adolescents who are referred to the services to facilitate diagnosis and management. 
• Providing crisis consultation, Counselling and therapeutic techniques with PLHIV. These include: 
• Individual Psychotherapy 
• Group Therapy 
• Family Therapy/ Couple therapy 
• Parenting Sessions /Psycho educational sessions 
• Conducting 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. 
• Liaising 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. 
• Preparing Mental Status Examination reports and progress reports for the clients seen in the treatment site, Court, Child Development Agency, School and other interested agencies. 
• Delivering educational talks/presentation to civic groups, schools, churches and other community-based organizations on topics related to HIV/STI/TB. 
• Participating 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. 
• Developing and providing psychological counselling and guidance services which assist PLHIV including Adolescents and their families. 
• Recommending, selecting and referring to the most appropriate and the most favourable conditions for PLHIV. 
• Providing crisis consultation, psychological counselling & therapeutic techniques to employees under the EAP Programme. 
• Initiating and conducting quantitative and qualitative research as well as disseminate research findings. 
• Attending conferences to keep abreast of developing information and techniques. 

NB. ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.