Psychiatrist

16-165: Psychiatrist

Country: Central African Republic

Department: International Operations

Essential Job Duties/Scope of Work:

International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs.

Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

International Medical Corps has been operating in CAR since 2007, primarily in the north-eastern regions of Vakaga and Haute-Kotto. International Medical Corps remains one of only two international organizations providing health and protection assistance in each of these regions. International Medical Corps has also been supporting Sudanese refugee in Ouaka prefecture in the south of the country since 2010. As of 2014, International Medical Corps has expanded its areas of operation to include Bouca sub-prefecture in the northwest and was chosen as UNHCR’s implementing partner at an additional two refugee camps in the south, as well as an emergency response to the recent crisis in Bangui. In Bouca, IMC supports the hospital and supporting health centers, addressing the primary health care, nutrition and protection needs. Under this new potential program starting April 1, 2016, IMC will support the remaining 7 health structures not yet supported and will provide primary health care, nutrition, protection and mental health activities.

Through a nine-month project funded by ECHO, International Medical Corps seeks to prevent and reduce excess mortality and morbidity of vulnerable displaced/returnees people and resident communities through health, nutrition and protection interventions in Ouham prefecture, Bouca sub-prefecture in Central African Republic.

As part of the implementing team, a medical doctor is required to manage the program and also to provide hands-on care and upgrade the skills and knowledge of local counter parts and/or community health workers in the areas of medical and sterilization practices.

IMC’s basic package of essential health care encompasses high impact primary health care services, nutrition, protection/GBV interventions and mental health. Through support of existing Ministry of Health (MoH) health facilities, training of medical staff, and operation of mobile medical units (MMU), IMC offers curative and preventive consultations, maternal and child health care, the Minimum Initial Services Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health, therapeutic and supplementary nutrition services, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, and mental health support. IMC also focuses on building the capacity of local community structures, such as village health committees (VHCs), community health workers (CHWs), and health centers management committees (COGEs). CHWs are trained and supported to conduct health education and hygiene promotion activities in their communities to encourage healthy practices and utilization of available health services, and the capability of VHCs and COGES to supervise and manage health facility operations for the benefit of in their communities is enhanced. The aim of IMC’s work is to strengthen local social services and develop capacity for greater community resilience, while maintaining flexibility and the ability to respond to the continuing instability and accompanying increasing humanitarian needs in the country. On the top of that, IMC is also, with the support of a psychiatrist, providing mental health support to local population and IDPs mainly in regard to three mains pathologies: depression, psychosis and epilepsy. The psychiatric trainer will be in charge of all mental health activities integrated in the primary health care package and implemented in six health posts and one hospital.

PURPOSE

Under the overall guidance of the IMC field manager and the Medical Director, the Psychiatrist Trainer will manage the mental health program. The main objectives are:

· Integrate the provision of mental health (MH) services into general health care focusing on three main pathologies: depression, psychosis and epilepsy.

· Conduct situational analysis of current mental health practices and resources at the health facility and community levels.

· Design of MH curriculum and materials in line with WHO mhGAP Intervention Guidelines and select MH integration sites and trainees

· Provide theoretical training and supervision for health care providers and community health workers.

· Provide on the job training within the health centers.

· Provide mental health services including pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. Do a day of consultation/week in Bouca hospital.

· Strengthen referral pathways and conduct community outreach and mental health promotion

ESSENTIALS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Provide training in the identification and management of priority mental health conditions to general health staff in line with WHO mhGAP Intervention Guidelines and in coordination with national authorities and the IMC Technical Unit.

· Identify and train local CHWs/volunteers for training in community outreach, case finding and mental health promotion

· Provide mental health and psychosocial support consultations and services along with health staff as needed within the health centers

· Establish a day by week of psychiatric consultation within Bouca hospital and conduct those consultations

· Ensure completion and analysis of pre post knowledge tests and on the job supervision checklists as well as IMC mental health PHC integration checklists

· Ensure that WHO essential psychotropic medications are available at health facilities

· Take responsibility for collection and reporting of mental health project data including HMIS reporting and patient outcomes (e.g. functioning, satisfaction with services)

· Actively lead or participate in coordination mechanisms (e.g. Health, general coordination, potential MHPSS coordination group) and advocate for principles of IASC MHPSS guidelines

· Assist with hiring of national staff as needed

· Implement the project in line with IMC and global MHPSS standards and guidelines and closely coordinate with IMCs Technical Unit Global Mental Health Advisor for development and review of training materials, documentation and reports.

· Participate and contribute in the case a multi-sectorial rapid needs assessment in order to identify and assess the humanitarian needs in the following sectors: health (including mental health and reproductive health), nutrition, WASH, and Protection.

· Is in charge of specific drugs management of the program (especially psychotropic)

· Is in charge of weekly, monthly and ad hoc report and datas collection on mental health. Contribute to donor’s reports/proposal regarding mental health activity.

Qualifications:

· University degree in psychiatric medicine with 3+ years of experience working on MHPSS programs, preferably in humanitarian settings

· Fluency in French required. Basic as good level of English is required.

· Strong organizational and supervisory skills

· Training and supervision experience required

· Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within different cultural environments

· Ability to work in difficult environment under very basic living conditions

· Ability to work within a team structure or in isolation, flexible, and can cope with stressful workloads and working with limited resources

· Computer literacy is an added value.

· Profound cross-cultural awareness and insight into health care issues, Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently, Extremely flexible, and have the ability to cope with stressful situations and frustrations

HOW TO APPLY:

How to apply: Please go to: https://careers.internationalmedicalcorps.org/Careers.aspx?adata=EE7OXV4... follow the instructions for applying online.

International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.