Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support Officer

Job summary 

To provide quality health care services for IDPs  and host populations, and support health facilities in Humera and Mai kadra. 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 to ensure the treatment of patients suffering from severe and common mental health and psychiatric disorders and coordinating counselling services.

Main duties and responsibilities.

Medical / Technical

• Assess, diagnose, treat, and manage patients with mental illnesses psychiatric disorder; refer and link complicated cases
• Provide counselling for survivors of traumatic events, including sexual assault
• Administer use of and monitor reactions to psychotropic and other medications
• Support client in understanding the nature of emotional disturbances and mental illness and accepting the need for treatment with specific attention to the cultural context
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of patient treatments according to standard medical recordkeeping and MTI policy
• Identify and screen potential clients and refer for appropriate follow up care
• Participate in community mobilization and sensitization on mental health issues
• Support medicine management for psychiatric drugs for regional health facilities in close collaboration with the MHNT Team Lead, Medical officer, and other staffs.
• Provide training for medical staff on diagnosis and treatment of severe and common mental health disorders
• Ensure data collected is accurate and submit reports according to schedule
• Ensure that medical practices are confidential and conducted with the highest level of integrity and ethics according to professional and MTI Code of Conduct.

Quality Management

• Aiming to achieve the highest quality programming possible within the challenging context of Amhara region, Ethiopia
• Ensure all patients are treated based on the Guidelines of the Ministry of Health and national guidelines
• Ensure rational use of drugs such that only those essential for treatment are prescribed. Do not overprescribe.
• Provide compassionate and respectful care to all patients who present to the clinic
• Support other staff and colleagues to maintain good infection control practices to prevent spread of illnesses within the clinic and among the staff

Additional activities

• 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.
• Support safeguarding of program participants and employees through promoting an environment of awareness and upholding the code of conduct provisions of Medical Teams Protection from Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Child & Vulnerable Adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies. Incumbents will remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding.
• Other duties as assigned

Physical conditions                                           

This position requires frequent travel to health facilities located in remote areas with 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.