Mental Health Nurse - Kakuma at International Rescue Committee

Job Description

The Mental Health Nurse reports directly to the Mental Health Officer. He/she will be expected to work under Clinical services program with a main objective of integrating mental health care across all IRC health facilities. The Mental Health Nurse’ s overall objective will be to provide safe, effective and curative mental health and psychosocial services in Kakuma refugee camp.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement mental health integration strategy with guidance from the mental health officer.
• Identify and define mental health problems among refugees and provide technical advice on mental health matters.
• Oversee and conduct mental health assessments, diagnose and plan individual case management of psychiatric patients in the camp and refer accordingly.
• Develop in patient care plans for psychiatric patients admitted into the ward and liaise treatment plans with the clinical staff on duty.
• Provide mental health and psychosocial support through use of individual or group counseling and psychotherapy.
• Ensure timely completion of HIS weekly and monthly reports (statistical data and narrative) based on the daily /weekly mental health activities in liaison with the mental health officer.
• Participate in mental health and psychosocial working group meeting
• Liaise with other implementing partners within the refugee camp in advocacy for mental health clients
• Any other responsibility deemed necessary to the program by the supervisor

Qualifications

• Diploma in nursing with a specialty in mental health (KRPN) from a recognized training institution.
• Registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya and in possession of a valid practicing license.
• Prior knowledge on WHO guidelines on mental health integration in Primary health care and application of the MHGAP intervention guide will be an ADDED ADVANTAGE.

Required Experience & Competencies:

• Experience of working in a poor resource setting and/or camp environment is desirable.
• Strong communication skills: oral: written and presentation skills.
• Should be a team player and culturally sensitive
• Ability to work and live in difficult environmental conditions