Clinical Psychologist at Synapse Services

Synapse Services is a Centre for Psychological Medicine that is committed to providing a full range of mental health and substance misuse services in a caring, patient- centred environment. We are located in the heart of Nigeria – Abuja, with branches in Lagos, and Anambra state. We provide first class psychological and psychiatric care, with a range of therapeutic programs suited to individual needs.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Clinical Psychologist

Location: Port-Harcourt, Rivers
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.

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

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.

Application Closing Date
20th August, 2020.