Do you want to make a difference? Join the world’s largest humanitarian network. The Canadian Red Cross Society, a non-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to helping the most vulnerable in Canada and throughout the world, is currently seeking a Psycho-Social Support (PSS) Delegate.
As part of the coordinated response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the Canadian Red Cross is seeking qualified personnel to join the fight against Ebola. The response requires efforts on multiple fronts, including community outreach, contact tracing, surveillance, management of human remains and case management. This job description covers a profile required specifically for the case management component. Selected applicants will be deployed to a Red Cross Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) in West Africa between mid-November 2014 and April 2015.
Every mission will initially be limited to four weeks internationally due to the hardship of having to work under heavy personal protective equipment. Prior to deployment, the Red Cross will provide you with mission-specific training including an extensive practical course on Ebola and related safety procedures. During the mission, you will be working in a well-established ETC. After deployment, the Red Cross will extend your contract by an additional three weeks rest period during which you will be instructed on how to self monitor. This is not a quarantine period. Anyone deploying in this way will be placed under a Red Cross contract with pay and benefits. All applicants will need to meet the health and professional standards established by the CRC.
RESPONSIBILITIES
To ensure patients and their families admitted to the VHF Treatment Unit are offered appropriate psychological support. This includes end-of-life psychosocial support to patients and family members, grief counselling, and to assist recovered patients with community re-integration.
The psychosocial support delegate will work as part of a team of international Red Cross and Red Crescent medical professionals. He/ She will provide supportive treatment to patients from the community infected with VHD.
- General Responsibilities
• Conducts local based training of local medical, nursing and social work staff. • Reports orally and in writing all relevant information for patients. • Provides support to patients and families affected by VHF. • Takes every opportunity to inform and sensitise patients, relatives, staff members and the population. • Informs the coordinator regarding any staff member in the event of psychological difficulties. • Provides technical support to the mental health team as required. • Participates in medical coordination meetings. • Participates in mental health team meetings, and brief daily meetings with the medical team; to update on the evolution of each patient. • Attends and participates actively in weekly staff meeting.
- Human Resources Management
• Supervises and guides the mental health team: Inpatient Psychologist, Community Psychologist. • Provides technical support to the mental health team as required. • Prepares and adapts job descriptions according to the needs. • Identifies, recruits, and trains staff as required.
- Psychological and Psychosocial Activities
• Receives new cases in the treatment ward: initially for psychological intervention with the patient, and after admission provides support to the family. • Provides regular psychological follow up of the patient and family. • Ensures psychological concerns and interventions are recorded in the individual patient files. • Accompaniment of families in the event of the patient dying in hospital. • Collaborates with the family in preparation for the funeral.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience: • Psychology degree or social work degree with a license in Canada. • Professional background in psychology, social services or counselling required. • Minimum 3 years post registration experience. • Experience working in epidemic an asset. • Prior experience in remote communities and in low-resource environments an asset.
Skills and Abilities: • Excellent communication skills (patient communications). • Well organized and analytical. • Flexible, with demonstrated ability to plan and fix priorities. • Ability to work and deal with difficult conditions. • Ability to meet stress with emotional stability, objectivity and optimism. • Awareness and experience of working cross culturally. • Works well in a multi-disciplinary team. • Flexible to the changing needs and development of the programme activities.
• Works efficiently in a challenging context and an ability to live in basic conditions. • Support of and adherence to the Red Cross principles. • Strict adherence to infection control protocols.
• Works efficiently in a challenging context and an ability to live in basic conditions. • Support of and adherence to the Red Cross principles. • Strict adherence to infection control protocols.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Working in West Africa in direct contact with infectious diseases such as Ebola is very demanding, both physically and psychologically. The living conditions in West Africa are difficult and you will be expected to live in basic living conditions (hotel) near the Ebola Treatment Centre. Working hours are according to shift requirements but you will be expected to be available 24 hours per day.
During the 3 weeks post-mission self-monitoring period, you are expected to be a minimum 4 hours’ drive from a certified medical facility in Canada, and should undergo a systematic self check related to any potential exposure and your health status.
How to apply:
Interested parties may submit their application by applying on the Canadian Red Cross Online Career Website.
This position is open until filled.
Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.
This position requires a successful Canadian criminal record check. The Canadian Red Cross Society is an equal opportunity employer.
