Clinical Psychologist at Synapse Resource Center

Location: Port Harcourt
Reports to: Clinical Lead
Job Purpose: A clinical psychologist identifies and diagnoses psychological, emotional and
behavioural issues in client, develops and implements treatment plans.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Counsel individuals and groups regarding problems such as stress, substance abuse, and family situations, in order tmodify behaviour.
• Offer therapy and treatments for difficulties relating tmental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and addiction.
• Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioural issues, and diagnose disorders, using diagnostic criteria and develop treatment plan accordingly.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside doctors, nurses, social workers, psychiatrists and occupational therapists;
• Develop and implement individual treatment plans, specifying type, frequency, Intensity, and duration of therapy.
• Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed tcomply with changes in clients’ status
• Guide clients in the development of their skills or strategies for dealing with their problems
• Have an understanding of bipsychosocial assessment, psychological case
• formulation and develop an individualized treatment plan for every patient in therapy.
• Facilitate Diverse Group therapeutic sessions and ensure proper engagement.
• Select, administer, score, and interpret psychological tests in order tobtain information on individuals' intelligence, achievements, interests, and personalities.
• Be conversant with different treatment methods like cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectic behavioural therapy, talk therapy person centred therapy etc.
• Collect information about clients through initial assessment and other related sources that can help tmake treatment effective.
• Be conversant with the electronic medical record system for proper documentation of progress notes and treatment plan.
• Evaluate clients’ physical or mental condition based on review of client information
• Collaborate with other staff members tperform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans
• Refer patients, clients or family members tcommunity resources or tspecialists as necessary
• Act as client advocates tcoordinate required services or tresolve emergency problems in crisis situations
• Counsel family members tassist them in understanding, dealing with or supporting clients or patients
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling programs on clients’ progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives
• Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy
• Meet with families, probation officers, police or other interested parties texchange necessary information during the treatment process
• Plan, organise or lead structured programs of counselling, work, study, recreation or social activities for clients
• Plan or conduct programs tprevent substance abuse or improve community health or counselling services
• Psycheducate client on the importance of medication compliance.
• Learn about new developments in counselling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars or establishing and maintain contact with other social services agencies
• Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy
• Develop individual treatment plan for children.
• Educate family members on what they can dfor their child or how trespond tcertain behaviours.
• Have an understanding of neurdevelopmental pathways, how tdiagnose, carry out assessments and draw up appropriate treatment plan tmeet specific needs.

Ensure that after discharge client is transferred ta robust aftercare plan for proper follow up and management.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
• Have an understanding of data protection and confidentiality
• Ability tobserve, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress.
• Ability teffectively communicate medical information, test results, diagnoses and/or proposed treatment in a manner easily understood by the client.
• Interviewing and psychological/developmental evaluation skills.
• Ability tevaluate the progress of therapeutic programs and tmake individual modifications.
• Ability tassess mental status in clients and tdevelop individual treatment goals and plans.
• Knowledge of psychological test administration, scoring, and interpretation.
• Ability tmaintain emotional stability tcope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stresses.
• Skill in preparing and maintaining patient records.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• A minimum of a Master degree in Clinical Psychology
• Must have completed NYSC
• Minimum of 3 years’ internship/paid Clinical experience
• Strong communication.
• Excellent relationship management and business development skills
• Proactive problem-solving approach
• Stress tolerance.
• High level of professionalism.
• Ability tmaintain strict confidentiality