Psychologist in Palermo

Overview:
**Background**

In 2020 MSF OCB has handed over the responsibility for the implementation of their Operations in Italy to MSF Italy, with the mandate to focus on Migration issues.

Within the areas of potential intervention, MSF Italy has identified that the migrants Survivors of Torture (SoT) in Palermo metropolitan area are among the most vulnerable and neglected individuals in the area. MSF is implementing a program assisting survivors of torture in cooperation with the University Policlinic "Giaccone", including first level of care through PHC Ambulatorio di Medicina delle Migrazioni and second/third level of care through the Policlinic Forensic Medicine and other specialistic departments. The program will be integrated with a research and didactic components through cooperation with Palermo University. The project aims also at identifying the SoT through outreach activities both in the formal migrant reception centres as well as in the migrants communities in Palermo metropolitan area and in strengthening the socio - legal assistance in cooperation with the association CLEDU and Palermo University Law Department.

**Responsibilities**:
**Scope, reporting lines**

The Psychologist reports directly into the PMR and functionally into the MHAM (Mental Health Activity Manager).

Providing psychological support to patients according to MSF principles, standards and procedures in order to improve the patients’ mental health.

**Main tasks and responsibilities**
- Carrying out evaluation of mental health needs of patients and establishing a diagnosis and a plan of treatment. Informing the patient and his/her relatives about the possible consequences of the illness and the drug treatment to follow and referring patients to other health professionals whenever necessary, in order to provide the most appropriate treatment and improve the patient's condition
- Implementing the Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) protocol, identifying possible victims of SGBV and referring them to the medical team so that they receive the necessary treatment.
- Providing psychological support and psychotherapy sessions (individual, family, group) to patients according to MSF protocols in order to improve their mental health conditions
- Assisting and training staff members and resourceful people whenever necessary in order to enhance the scope of MH activities. Working in close collaboration with translators in order to ensure appropriate terminology and behavior during sessions
- Collecting statistical and monitoring data about mental health activities
- Informing the supervisor and the medical team about any issues or problems that may arise related to patients’ treatment in order to provide the best possible solution from a medical perspective

Ensuring that all patient information is kept confidential.

**Specific Context Accountabilities**
- With the support of the PMR/MAM and the Mission MHAM, she/he plans and implements the planned activities of identification and taking charge of SoT according to the project medical strategy.
- She/he participates to the training and coaching of NHS staff, according to MSF expertise, on migration health issues with specific focus on the mental health of survivors of violence.
- In close collaboration with other team members, identifying the needs of Mental Health support in the target population and participating into the definition, planning, organization and update of the appropriate MSF strategy and the Mental Health (MH) activities.
- Contributing with the Mission MHAM in reviewing and developing the technical materials, tools, guidelines and documents, and the implementation of all Mental Health standard protocols and procedures set by the project (in collaboration and agreement with NHS staff operating in the SoT service) in order to provide the most appropriate treatment for the patients.
- In collaboration with the PMR, strengthen relations with the Policlinic staff in relation to the mental health component and according to the Project strategy
- Mapping and regularly updating the existing Mental Health services, including other INGO’s, local NGO’s, community groups and national health system services, etc. and maintaining good and regular communication and collaboration with other team members according to objectives and context. Identifying possible advocacy issues and reporting them to the PMR/MAM.
- Participating in PFA (Psychological First Aid) activities in and outside Palermo, according to the needs
- Participating in the project reports (EMR, diario clinic, Sit Rep, statistical report, etc.) and reporting problematic situations and cases with the MHAM to help with decision making and possible solutions.
- Participating in regular team meetings, supervisions and multidisciplinary case discussions.
- Is available to travel to other areas in Italy and support the mission if required.

Qualifications:
**Profile and qualifications**

**Education**

Essential deg