Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation – Malawi (BCMCF-M) is a not-for-profit organization working in partnership with the Malawi Government in the health sector. Our Mission is to provide high-quality, high-impact, highly ethical pediatric and family-centered health care, professional health training and clinical research, focused on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, malnutrition and other conditions impacting the health and well-being of children and families worldwide.
BCMCF-M is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of:
Position: Psychosocial Counselor
Contract Duration: 1 year (possibly renewable)
Location: Centre of Excellency (COE) - Lilongwe
Reports to: Senior Nurse
Position description and responsibilities
Psychosocial support is an array of interventions that are used to address an individual’s emotional, social, mental, and spiritual needs. Reporting to the Senior Nurse, the Psychosocial Counsellor will be required to provide high-quality psychosocial counseling services and related therapeutic functions to address the ongoing psychological and social problems in individuals living with HIV, their partners, families and caregivers and others affected by infection.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following
- Carry out routine psychological assessments on patients/clients through interviews, observations and tests including assessment for risk of suicidal thoughts within the clinic and on the virtual Psychosocial platform.
- Provide a safe/conducive environment which will aid client’s free expression of feelings.
- Develop and provide appropriate individual, family and group based psychotherapeutic interventions.
- Ensure that all clients benefit from psychosocial counseling assessment and an 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.
- Conduct regular evaluation of all counseling services and assist in strengthening existing programs offered by the Institution/Program.
- Act as client advocate in coordinating required referral services.
- Provide mentorship and training in psychosocial counseling services to other care providers and students.
- 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.
- Collaborate with other professionals to assess other client needs and plan their treatment.
- Ensure relevant feedback is given to health care providers who referred the client for psychosocial care services in an appropriate and timely manner.
- Maintain and develop professional competence in psychosocial services through the ongoing professional development.
- Provide relevant consultation counseling services to the facility staff whenever necessary.
- Supervise other counsellors assigned to you and students on practical attachments.
- Attend all relevant Program meetings.
- Represent the Program/Institution on matters of Psychosocial Care Services.
- Prepare routine program reports and updates.
- Undertake other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Minimum of a diploma in psychosocial counselling from a recognized institution.
- Registration with Medical Council of Malawi is a prerequisite.
- At least five years’ experience of providing counselling/psychotherapy.
- Experience in program designing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
- Experience in client assessment, psychotherapy, psychosocial counselling techniques in working with individual patients, couples, families and communities.
- High respect and care for persons living with HIV.
- In-depth knowledge of HIV program and Ministry of Health service delivery System is preferred.
- Proficiency in using the computer mainly Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook
- Open-minded and non-judgmental
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Chichewa and English.
- Ability in goals setting.
- Superior interpersonal, leadership, research, time management, organization and evaluation skills.
- Ability to listen patiently and carefully.
- Proficiency in conflict resolution, consensus-based decision making and group facilitation.
- Ability to work in a team orientated environment is a must.
- Ability to work over some weekends is essential.
Benefits
-Pension
-Medical Insurance
-Group Personal Accident cover
