Mental Health Nurse at Kenya Red Cross Society

Overall Purpose

Reporting to the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Coordinator, the Mental Health Nurse' s overall objective will be to provide safe, effective and curative mental health and psychosocial services in Ifo/Ifo 2 camps.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Identify and define mental health problems and needs of the refugees in Ifo camp and provide technical advice on all cases of psychiatric disorders/other psychological problems.
• Oversee and conduct mental health assessments, diagnose and plan individual case management of psychiatric patients in the refugee camp/Host community, refer accordingly and prepare report.
• Develop nursing care plans for psychiatric patients admitted into the ward and liaise treatment plans with the Medical officer/ Clinician.
• Provide a detailed training for the mental health assistants on mental health.
• Respond to the request of law enforcement officers/staff by phone or at the scene when the officer/staff person have reasonable cause to believe the person within the camp is mentally ill and is likely to be in immediate danger to self and/or others.
• Attend weekly staff meetings, CMEs.
• Design a suitable and relevant “Mental Health” training manual for Camps(Ifo 1&2) mental health program.
• Identify and manage the mentally ill patients both in the outpatient and psychiatric clinic and in the community through follow-ups.
• Manage in-patients with psychological morbidity or those admitted with known psychiatric disorders.
• Manage patients with emotional and/or psychiatric morbidity.
• Provide psychiatric support by use of individual or group counseling and psychotherapy sessions.
• Training of relevant staff, CHVs, auxiliary nurses and other groups exposed to persons with mental problems or the vulnerable groups.
• Community education and creating awareness so as to initiate community participation as a PHC approach.
• Design a mental health working guideline in line with DSM V and Ministry of Health policy.
• Liaise with colleagues in acquiring any useful tools, equipment in the duties thereby such as equipment for psychotherapy.
• Identify and liaise with traditional healers and religious leaders in dealing with people with selective mental disorders.
• Complete monthly, quarterly, biannual and annual activity/narrative reports.
• Carry out any other additional duties as may be assigned by the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Coordinator.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma in Registered Nursing –Mental Health and psychiatry/Higher Diploma in Mental Health and Psychiatry or related field.
• At least 2-3 years in field experience within a Humanitarian NGO/Agency in the same or similar position.
• Extensive experience providing clinical care and psychotherapy sessions to individuals and groups.
• Understanding of and experience implementing culturally appropriate mental health interventions, including individual, group and community-based approaches for people who are mentally challenged.
• Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary/multi-disciplinary team desirable.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to changing requirements and needs.
• Skilled at working as a member of a team.
• Working knowledge of English and Swahili
• Knowledge of local dialect is desirable.
• Experience in working as a nurse or ability to be an empathic mental health Nurse.
• Experience working in local and regional contexts and knowledge of local area and community structures desirable.
• Able to work in a stressful environment refugee camp environment
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word and Excel)
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills
• Excellent skills in organization, attention to detail and time management (including the ability to meet deadlines) Interest in or commitment to human rights