Psychologist in Palermo

Panoramica:
**Background**

In 2020 MSF OCB has handed over the responsibility for the implementation of their Operations in Italy to MSF Italy. To handle the new projects, MSF Italy has established a new Department of Programmes, composed by a Humanitarian Affairs unit, a Medical unit and an Operations unit which includes the projects.

Within the areas of potential intervention, MSF Italy has identified that migrant victims of intentional violence (SiV) in Palermo metropolitan area are among the most vulnerable and neglected individuals in the area and there is the will of the local branch of the NHS (National Health System) to be engaged in providing dedicated care to this specific population. In particular, the local NHS branch was already offering a multidisciplinary health care to undocumented migrants through a dedicated clinic, and they would like to be able integrate into this clinic a component of assistance for SiV without aiming at developing a separate vertical intervention.

MSF’s intervention complements the services that the NHS is already providing to the victims of intentional violence (SiV). MSF’s support includes the provision of medical and social staff with experience in SiV care for the treatment of patients, as well as coaching and training for NHS staff. The project aims also at identifying the SiV through outreach activities both in the formal migrant reception centres as well as in the migrant communities in Palermo metropolitan area and in strengthening the socio - legal assistance partially already provided by the NHS and the University of Palermo.

Responsabilità:
**Scope, reporting lines**

The Psychologist reports directly into the PMR and functionally into the Deputy Medical Coordinator.

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
- In collaboration with the PMR, strengthen relations with local health authorities and NHS staff working in the STP clinic of the ASP in Palermo.
- She/he is responsible, with the support of the PMR and deputy medco, to plan and implement the strategy of identification and taking charge of VIV, in collaboration with the NHS staff working in the clinic
- She/he is responsible for contributing to the training of NHS staff, according to MSF expertise, on migration health issues with specific focus on the mental health of victims of violence.
- In close collaboration with other medical team members, identifying the needs of MH support in the target population and participating in the definition, planning, organization and update of the appropriate MSF strategy and the Mental Health (MH) activities and its budget. Monitoring and evaluating MH support activities.
- Contributing with MHAM in Rome in reviewing and developing the technical materials, tools, guidelines and documents, and coordinating and ensuring the implementation of all Mental Health standard protocols and procedures set by MSF (in collaboration and agreement with NHS staff operating in the ViV service)in order to provide the most appropriate treatment for patients.
- 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 components of the project according to objectives and context. Identifying possible advocacy issues.
- Participating in monthly reports according to guidelines (Sit Rep, statistical