Adolescent Psychologist

Deadline: May 16, 2016
Posted: May 9, 2016 (2:51pm)

Strategic context:

A limited but increasing number of HIV-infected adolescents are long-term survivors of HIV infection acquired perinatally, or in infancy through blood products. Such adolescents are usually heavily ART experienced and may have a unique clinical course that differs from that of adolescents infected later in life. Adolescents infected perinatally or in infancy are generally started on ART early in life with mono or dual therapy regimens resulting in incomplete viral suppression and emergence of resistance. Because adolescence is characterized by rapid changes in physical maturation, cognitive processes, and life style, adherence to ART can be very challenging. Non-adherence to ART results in high viral load and very low CD4. This then is the prescription for high transmission of the virus. Viral suppression refers to the virus being undetectable in the blood, which lowers the risk of HIV transmission.

The result of a recent research on adolescents living with HIV in Jamaica indicates a widening gap in the viral suppression component of the treatment cascade, due in part to psychosocial and psychological challenges. This means that there is an urgent need to address the current gaps of viral suppression within our children and adolescents living with HIV. The gap analysis identifies among other requirements, the needs to:

Expand the range of mental health services offered to children and adolescents living with HIV.
Expand mental health promotion programmes to include education for caregivers of children living with HIV.

Reporting Relationship

The Adolescent Psychologist will report to the Regional HIV Coordinator

Qualifications

M.Sc. in Clinical or Counselling Psychology with emphasis on child/adolescent psychology
3-4 years supervised post training experience

Required Skills/Experience

A broad range of clinical psychological experiences especially with children and young people.
Experiences working with families infected/affected by HIV.
Training in cognitive and behavioral therapy
Ability to employ brief therapy
Knowledge of computer based therapies

Key Objective

To provide high quality clinical psychology services to children and adolescents living with HIV

Expected Outputs

High quality clinical psychology services provided in line with identified needs and; patients’ data to be regularly written up and placed in confidential dockets.
Quarterly reports submitted to the relevant medical Officer and Director

of TCS.
End of contract report submitted with recommendations and agreed action plan
Identification of ongoing support services is a key task of the job holder.
Submission of monthly Psychologist reports for each parish based on sessional reports

Scope and Deliverables

Assess and provide short- and long term psychological interventions for children and adolescents living with HIV.

Clinical areas of involvement in include:

Substance abuse (inc. alcohol, marijuana)
Psycho-somatic illness
Depression
Anxiety
Early intervention service for children with developmental delays/disabilities due to HIV
Family Relationships
Grief and loss
Comprehensive psychological assessments

Other professional activities

Provide consultation to multidisciplinary team to inform the care of children and adolescents living with HIV
Provide feedback at Quarterly Treatment Meetings including presentation of findings from parish sessions
Provide evidence based report to inform additional interventions and research regarding Adolescent Health

Contracting/Contract Period

The jobholder will be contracted by the North East Regional Health Authority and the Position will be maintained for a temporary contractual period based on selected sessions.

Note

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Contact

The Director, HRM & IR
North East Regional Health Authority
34-38 Ocean Village Shopping Centre
Ocho Rios
St. Ann

Fax: (876) 795–2747

Email: jobs@nerha.gov.jm

North East Regional Health Authority

Jamaica

Base Salary: Undisclosed