Mental Health Specialist

University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Butaro, Rwanda


Description

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Description 

Job Title: Full-time Mental Health Specialist 

Reports to: Director of Compus Operations and Community Engagement

Location: Butaro Campus, Rwanda 

 

The main responsibilities for Campus Mental Health specialist, 

  • Lead the Mental Health promotion, prevention, curative and recovery programs on campus 
  • Provide mental health services 
  • Prepare and conduct mental and psycho-social orientation and training programs to the campus community 
  • Assess and diagnose the campus community, especially students experiencing symptoms of mental health disorders including psychological distress, depression, panic, anxiety, and others. 
  • Collaborate on early identification and intervention of at-risk students with other staff and faculty 
  • Treat such conditions as governed by the existing treatment guidelines in Rwanda 
  • Providing counselling and psychological support and guidance 
  • Arrange for further treatment and follow-up for patients if such appropriate referral is indicated 
  • Arrange for in-patient treatment of patient when such treatment is in indicated 
  • Establish and maintain a recordkeeping system to keep confidential information (including questionnaires, histories, critical incidents, client communication) about clients at the student clinic. Produce regular (weekly or monthly) data in a manner that ensures privacy. 
  • Work in close partnership with other care providers at the clinic to provide comprehensive care to the UGHE community 
  • Conducting group sessions with students and staff/faculty members. 
  • Work with clients to set goals, develop a treatment plan, and gain insight through treatment 
  • Working with clients to identify situations, behaviors, and thoughts that interfere with their wellness and recovery 
  • Examining and plan interventions to address social and environmental issues/factors that may influence students’ mental well-being, including   peer   pressure, academic   workload, bullying, substance use, prejudice, work stress, financial challenges, and health issues 
  • Coordinate and facilitate campus wellness activities (or health promotion activities)  
  • Refer clients to advanced health professionals (e.g., psychiatrists, physicians, etc.) as well as to other resources in the community such as campus peer supporters and mentors. 
  • Participate in student orientation and on-boarding activities 
  • Conduct regular student advisory and counseling clinic 
  • Provide crisis intervention and on-call services  

Academic and professional background required for this position 

  • Msc in clinical psychology or Msc in Mental Health (Psychiatry nursing) or Msc in Mental Health councelling 
  • Professional experience of 5 years and above in counseling and clinical    mental health delivery. 
  • Experience in higher education mental health care is preferred 
  • Experience in higher education, youth and multicultural communities as a counsellor or     mental health care provider is encouraged 
  • Experience in hospital based mental health care 
  • Fluent English and Kinyarwanda speaker 

 

Personal competencies desired for this position 

  • Active Listener, 
  • Respects UGHE’s operations schedule, 
  • Updates UGHE authorities on any anomalies, 
  • Respects UGHE policies, COVID 19 guidelines and Butaro campus policies, 
  • English and Kinyarwanda proficiency required; French knowledge also desirable, 
  • Excellent time management skills with the ability to provide comprehensive follow-up, 
  • Good communication skills and can communicate in advance any changes. 
  • Able to maintain a high level of accessibility, approachability  and  visibility with students 

How to Apply

Applicants should provide: (1) curriculum vitae, (2) Degree, (3) A cover letter describing your interest in UGHE and relevant experience. Please upload these under the ‘Additional Files’ tab on the application page.

University of Global Health Equity is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Organizational Profile

UGHE is a new kind of university focused on training the next generation of global leaders in health care delivery. The university launched in Rwanda in September 2015. Through an academic experience uniquely rooted in the values of equity, students are empowered to both ease suffering at the bedside and drive transformational, systemic changes to the health system.

UGHE is an initiative of Partners In Health (PIH), an internationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. The UGHE Center for Equity in Global Surgery (CEGS) is focused on contributing solutions to the imbalance in surgical access through five key pillars- Fellowship, Education and Training, Global Convenings, Research and Innovation, and Policy and Advocacy. In partnership with several global surgery organizations, the Center provides support for both undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum development in the surgical sciences, clinical and community-based research across sub-Saharan Africa, and support for regional surgical, obstetrics, and anesthesia plans.

Members of the UGHE community are tenacious and resolute in our drive to attain social justice, make common cause with those in need, listen to and learn from others, and operate with honesty and humility as we uphold academic integrity and intellectual curiosity. The University of Global Health Equity seeks individuals committed to these values to join the team.

 

Commitment to Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment:

At UGHE, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including community members – as well as our students, contractors, staff, and visitors to our campus are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and any form of systemic abuse, whilst reducing risk and vulnerabilities. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with UGHE’s policy.

UGHE will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of fraud, harassment, sexual harassment and any form of systemic abuse or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.