Psychologist

Deadline: December 1, 2019
Posted: November 30, 2019 (8:13am)

Reports to: Clinical Program Manager
Location: Kingston, Jamaica

Background
The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) is a global health program of the University of Washington (UW) Department of Global Health in Seattle, Washington. I-TECH operates programs and employs staff in multiple countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Caribbean Region.

Since 2003, I-TECH Caribbean has provided technical assistance to Ministries of Health in the Caribbean region and partners to support national health systems strengthening initiatives and a timely national HIV response through the implementation of robust care and treatment strategies. This includes continuous quality improvement at priority care and treatment sites, clinical mentoring, in-service and pre-service training and a focused effort to improve the comprehensive HIV care and treatment for key population groups including MSM, persons of trans experience, and sex workers. Drawing on expertise from I-TECH’s global network I-TECH has assisted in strengthening the region’s capacity to develop a competent health care workforce and administer quality HIV care and treatment programs.

I-TECH identified mental health and substance use disorders as major barriers to medication adherence and retention in care, and thus to viral suppression. Improved knowledge and skills of HIV clinic staff in screening for and managing mental health and substance use disorders will reduce the challenges to retention in care, initiation of ART and medication adherence, and help patients in achieving and maintaining viral suppression. It will also greatly improve the quality of life for People Living with HIV (PLHIV).

The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) has an outstanding opportunity for a Psychologist in Jamaica.

The Psychologist will work closely with the Jamaica Country Director as well as the Clinical Program Manager to lead mental health and psychosocial services technical assistance activities and provide consultation to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and to HIV care teams.

Requirements

A Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology;
At least three years of experience working with PLHIV;
Knowledge of the Ministry of Health HIV treatment system, including the roles and responsibilities of Psychosocial Support Team members;
At least 5 years of experience providing cognitive behavioral therapy to patients;
Experience with Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-informed Care, and a harm reduction approach.

Position Overview

Participate in the development and implementation of I-TECH’s mental health and psychosocial services initiatives;
Improve the psychotherapeutic and psychosocial support skills of HIV clinic staff through training and mentoring;
Participate in the development of training materials and job aids and the implementation of technical working groups and training workshops as needed;
Provide high quality clinical consultation to psychosocial support team members at HIV treatment sites in person and via ECHO telementoring;
Collaborate closely with Ministry of Health and Wellness HIV and Mental Health Units as well as the National Council on Drug Abuse to strengthen psychosocial and mental health at HIV treatment sites;
Participate in work planning, quarterly reporting, and monitoring and evaluation activities for mental health and psychosocial activities.

Note

The Psychologist must be available and willing to travel to sites in the Northeastern and Western health regions as needed.

Current employees of the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica are not eligible to apply.

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to the Deputy Director at hr@itechcaribbean.org no later than Sunday, December 1, 2019. We appreciate all applications, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Contact

Email: hr@itech-caribbean.org

I-Tech

Jamaica

Base Salary: Undisclosed