Vacancy title:
Psycho Social Counsellor

Jobs at:
Lighthouse Trust

Deadline of this Job:
5th October 2018

Duty Station:
Kampala, Uganda

Summary
Date Posted: 27th September 2018 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed , Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Company

JOB DETAILS:

Lighthouse Trust is a registered Public Trust established to manage Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and provide leverage for leadership and delivery of integrated HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services in Malawi. Lighthouse has been involved in the development of locally applicable HIV care and treatment models. It is strategically positioned in Malawi’s National HIV response due to its close collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH). The Lighthouse in close coordination with MoH operates integrated services at Kamuzu and Bwaila Hospitals in Lilongwe, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre and many districts within the central and northern region. Its strategic approach focus on client-centred care based on four goals which are:-

Goal 1: Service delivery: to enhance high-quality, integrated HIV
Prevention, treatment, care and support services for adults and children

Goal 2: Model interventions and operations research: to develop, pilot, evaluate, and disseminate innovative programs and policies across the continuum of prevention, treatment, care and support for HIV infection and its co-morbidities, both infectious and non-infectious.

Goal 3: Quality management: to ensure that all patients at LH clinics and all supported sites are receiving quality health care and services as recommended the MOH and other health development partners by utilizing quality improvement (QI) methodologies in a multidisciplinary team approach.

Goal 4: Capacity strengthening: to build and strengthen healthcare capacity for high quality HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services

Lighthouse Trust with support from the United States of America President’s Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through a Cooperative Agreement with Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has two grants to operate a Center of Excellence for Comprehensive Integrated HIV Care and Treatment Services in Lilongwe, Malawi (Grant #1NU2GGH002131) and also to achieve HIV Epidemic Control through scaling up of Quality Testing, Care and Treatment in sites outside Lilongwe (Grant # 1NU2GGH002003). Through these grants, Lighthouse would like to fill up various positions aimed at supporting establishment of a Centre of Excellence for HIV Management at Tisungane Clinic at Zomba Central Hospital and strengthening service delivery support in Lilongwe, Malawi.

PSYCHO SOCIAL COUNSELLOR
Position Title : Psycho social Counsellor (Quote Ref PC1)
Reports to : Psycho Therapist
Team : Clinic
Location : Lighthouse Lilongwe

Purpose of the Position:
To help and treat people who are experiencing emotional and psychological difficulties to understand their problems and assist them make appropriate changes to their lives.

Responsibilities (which include, but are not limited to:

• Provide a safe/conducive environment which will aid client’s free expression of feelings.
  
• Carry out routine psychological assessments on patients/clients through interviews, observations and tests including assessment for risk of suicidal thoughts.
  
• Develop and provide appropriate individual, family and group based psychotherapeutic interventions.
  
• Ensure that all clients benefit from psychosocial counselling assessment and appropriate intervention plan is drawn for each client.
  
• Ensure proper documentation and storage of client-related information such as assessment notes, diagnostic records, intervention plan and treatment/progress records.
  
• Maintain clients’ privacy and confidentiality of records concerning their treatment and general matters related to work.
  
• Regularly evaluate the Impact of psychotherapeutic interventions and educational programs through operational research and other related developments that are appropriate and relevant to the clients’ and service needs and assist in strengthening the existing programs offered by the Program.
  
• Collaborate with other professionals to assess clients’ other needs and plan their treatments.
  
• Ensure relevant feedback is given to health care providers who referred the client for psychosocial care services in an appropriate and timely mariner.
  
• Provide relevant consultation counselling services to the facility staff whenever necessary.
  
• Supervise other counsellors assigned to you and students on practical attachments.
  
• Represent the Program on matters of psychosocial care services.
  

Prepare reports.

• Undertake other duties as assigned
  

Qualification and Experience

• Diploma in Psychology, Nursing, Social work and Sociology
  
• Not less than 3 years’ experience in a busy yet highly practical environment
  

Required skills

• Strong sense of compassion and commitment to helping people
  
• Self- awareness, sensitivity and empathy
  
• A broad-minded, non judgemental attitude and respect for others
  
• A genuine interest in the emotional problems faced by people Common sense
  
• An understanding of the importance of confidentiality and also an awareness of its limitations Sense of humour
  
• A belief in people’s inherent ability to change and develop an energetic and positive approach
  
• An ability to establish rapport with others
  
• An understanding of equality and diversity issues
  
• Confidence to explore difficult and painful aspects of patient’s life