Psychologist- Jerusalem– National position

Position type and closing date

Full time position, National Position.

Location: Based in Jerusalem

Reports to: Head of clinical Psychosocial Unit

Supervising: Non.

Closing date for applications: 6 March 2022

Applicants are required to uphold the core values of our organization.

The Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) is a medical center of excellence that has been providing healthcare services and other health programs for about 70 years to Palestinians, including refugees from throughout the West Bank and Gaza. AVH, a program by the Lutheran World Federation, serves patients regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, or political conviction, without discrimination or favoritism; It is a modern tertiary care facility that serves the most disadvantaged patients from Gaza and the West Bank and has a special historic relationship with the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees

For additional information, please see www.lutheranworld.org/World Service.

Terms of Reference

Main outcome of the role:

The main role of the psychologist is to probe the thoughts, feelings of patients so they can lead healthier, happier lives. Promote mental and physical health. Support an individual’s well-being while being aware of his role in the family and the people with whom he interacts. Develop and sustain respectful and honest relationships, authenticate sensitivity to multiplicity/diversity. Follow ethical and legal principals. Work very closely with the medical team. Direct himself/herself as a professional through words and actions. Maintain therapeutic relationships with patients and families and provide individual and family counseling. Providing Psychosocial support in all issues of life including the difficult issues of dying, death and emotions that arouse such as guilt, anger, fear and anxiety. Complete the Initial intake form about the history of the patient, family status, the living conditions, the history of the ailment, feelings, input and recommendations. Work very closely with the medical team. Document in the medical file the counseling session with the patient, companion and/or family.**

Accountable to the head of the Psycho-social Department

Key Responsibilities:

· Identifying and diagnosing psychological, emotional, mental behavioral or organizational disorders.

· Gather information about the patients by using interviews with the patients and or companions, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.

· Working with patients to identify their strengths or resources they can use to manage problems.

· Develop and implement individual treatment plans.

· Counsel patients, companions, or families to help them understand problems, gain insight, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action, therapeutic and treatment plans to achieve effective personal, social, development and adjustment based on clients’ interests, abilities, or needs.

· Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from counseling sessions, tests, and records.

· Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, CBT. Behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy.

· Document patient information, sessions, recommendations, and treatment plans.

· Discussing the treatment of problems with clients and or companions

· Write reports on Patient medical file “psychosocial notes”. If it is confidential then in the confidential file that is placed in the office.

· Consult with multidisciplinary team when it is necessary or with other therapists.

· Engaging and work side by side actively with the multidisciplinary team and contribute from own professional work.

· Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans or diagnoses as necessary.

· When necessary use the PHQ-9 test and the suicidal test and act accordingly.

· Advise clients on how they could be helped by counseling.

· Refer clients to other specialists, or support services as necessary.

· Consult reference material, such as DSM-5, textbooks, manuals, or journals, to identify symptoms, make diagnoses, or develop approaches to treatment.

· Provide Clinical Supervision and support to students and volunteers.

· Attending the weekly staff meetings.

· Undertake any other duties assigned by the head of the department and the Medical Director

Required Qualifications, Skills and experience

· BA and MS degree in Psychology from a credited university.

· Knowledge of psychological theory and practice.

· Preferably good background in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

· Having license in Psychology is recommended but optional depending whether the applicant is from Jerusalem or West Bank.

· At least 2 years of work experience in the field of Psychology with relevant experience and skills in Therapy and Counseling, Social perceptiveness, Service oriented, Active listen, Coordinator, Critical Thinker, Complex Problem Solver, Problem Sensitivity, Emotional Intelligence and empathy, Cultural competency, Boundary setting ability and interpersonal skills .

· Essential to have experience in working with children / adults and their families.

· Effective and strong communicative skills in oral expression and communication, oral comprehension, speech clarity, speech recognition, written expression and delivery of presentations.

· Interest in how people think and process information.

· Ability to empathize with a wide range of people. Having the ability to put oneself in the shoes of the patient.

· Excellent Listening skills.

· Ability to work independently under pressure, handling stressful and difficult situations, meet tight deadlines, and demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving.

· Proven ability to take initiative, learn quickly, and be accountable for results.

· Excellent interpersonal skills and strong personnel management skills.

· Able to work collaboratively and inspire learning based on experience so as to achieve satisfying results.

· Fluency in writing and reading English and Arabic. Hebrew is a plus.

· Strong reporting skills

· Respecting, Promoting Ethical values and human rights

· Maintain professional relationships and act as guide and advocate.

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of 148 churches in the Lutheran tradition, representing 75.5 million Christians in 99 countries. LWF World Service works in 25 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. LWF Jerusalem program has served the Palestinians in Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza through humanitarian, health and educational programs since 1948. LWF manages the Augusta Victoria Hospital, two vocational training centers in Ramallah and in East Jerusalem and its central office is on the Mount of Olives.