Psychologist

The Jamaica Country Coordinating Mechanism for HIV/AIDS has received a three (3) year (January 2016 – December 2018) grant from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. This grant will be managed by the Ministry of Health, the Principal Recipient which has contracted the Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) as one of its implementing entities.  JASL and its sub-sub-recipients are seeking dedicated, dynamic, proactive and experienced individuals with strong team building skills to fill the following position: 

Overall Objectives

JASLs psychological programme is part of a wider Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) programme aimed at improving the health outcomes of clients by designing psychological interventions to help with the management of their condition. The programme seeks to:

• Provide psychological support services for people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS
• Maintain hope in the context of HIV infection
• Respond to psychological emergencies associated with HIV and AIDS

Qualifications

• At least a Masters degree in Psychology

Experience

• At least three (3) years experience working in Psychology, HIV care and management

• Experience working with key populations

• Comprehensive knowledge of the scope and methods of social work

Summary of Duties

The Psychologist will:

• Work with individuals and groups (specifically MSM and SW) to promote optimum mental health as a means of reducing their risk and vulnerabilities to contracting HIV or to live positively with HIV and AIDS
• Help individuals deal with behavioural issues: suicide, stress management, problems with self-esteem, and issues associated with HIV and AIDS, sexual orientation and identity
• Conduct counselling, psychological assessment, follow-up, care and support

Specific Duties

• Conduct counselling sessions with clients, individually and in groups, to assist with issues around gender, sexuality and HIV status
• Undertake initial counselling session and psychological assessment with newly diagnosed clients when they first attend clinic
• Provide on-going counselling sessions and psychological assessments including assessment of mental health needs and risk assessment
• Establish a collaborative working relationship with clients based on trust and respect
• Collect information about clients through interviews, observational techniques, tests and other assessment methods
• Screen for the presence of mental disorders, depression, substance abuse and risky sexual behaviour
• Develop and implement treatment plans based on clients needs and clinical knowledge and experience
• Guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for coping with their problems.
• Counsel family members and partners of clients to assist them in giving support and understanding the issues facing their relatives
• Provide crisis counselling/intervention to clients and their family members and partners
• Evaluate the effectiveness of therapy and clients progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives
• Monitor and modify treatment strategies as needed in order to match the needs of the clients
• Ensure psychological follow-up, including referral to psychiatric assessment and follow-up when necessary
• Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports
• Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients treatment
• Facilitate monthly support group sessions
• Prepare and submit monthly report to Supervisor
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Required Competencies

• Confidential, open-minded, dependable, non-judgmental
• Good listening skills
• Ability to analyse and solve problems.
• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work professionally and cooperate with team members and representatives of other agencies
• Strong team player
• Willing to work beyond the call of duty
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications

Note

Special conditions associated with the job: Flexible working hours (including some Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays).

Applications along with resumes should be sent no later than January 21, 2016.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Contact

The Executive Director
Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL)

3 Hendon Drive, 
Kingston 20
Jamaica

Email: infojasl2010@gmail.com

Base Salary: Undisclosed