Patient Support Manager (DR-TB)

Job title : Patient Support Manager (DR-TB)Work Location : Khayelitsha, Cape Town. South Africa

Duration : 12 Months

Start date : 1 July 2019 (ASAP)

Reports to : DR-TB Medical Activity Manager

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

The Drug Resistant-Tuberculosis patient support activity manager will be responsible for defining, coordinating and monitoring all patient support activities (emotional, education and social support activities) within a chronic diseases project (HIV/ TB / others) according to MSF principles, protocols and standards in order to empower the patient in front of his illness and treatment, beyond the purely medical aspects of care.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Assessing patient support needs and defining the patient support strategy according to the changing medical needs and context.

· Developing patient support tools (counselling and education protocols, health promotion messages, flyers, flipcharts, games, etc.).

· Ensuring implementation of patient support activities (health talks, education and counselling sessions, LTFU tracing, strengthening of support groups, linking with social actors, community awareness activities,…) according to protocols and tools.

· Support DOH social workers at primary health care facilities in Khayelitsha in providing social work services to individuals affected and infected with DR-TB: where individuals are identified as being in immediate danger of harm; provide mentoring support to social workers and facility DRTB counselors on counseling of DR-TB patients with harmful substance use, as well as for children affected by DR-TB.

· Monitoring and evaluating patient support activities (defining indicators and follow-up tools, collecting and support analysis of data when needed and participating in operational research relating to these activities).

· Participate in operational research activities, writing abstracts and participate in dissemination activities.

· Ensuring good communication and collaboration with the other components of the project and other partners working on patient support. Managing staff involved in patient support. Planning and supervising, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training, performance evaluation, development and internal communication) of the staff under his/her responsibility in order to improve staff capabilities and to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required.

REQUIREMENTS

Education, Technical Qualifications and experience:

• A formal tertiary qualification in Social Work (Bachelor of Social Work) that allows professional registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions as Social Worker
• Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions as a Social Worker
• A minimum of 3 years appropriate experience the South African, (social development services)
• Experience with substance use management, knowledge of the Substance Abuse Act, act 70 of 2008 will be an advantage
• Experience with mental health in the South African context will be an advantage
• Expeirence or knowledge on HIV and TB
• Experience in case work, group work, community work and training, mentoring, supervision and facilitation skills is essential.
• Experience in the local context (or similar), understanding the context, institutions and referall pathways.
• Previous working experience in primary health care settings or community based NGO setting is a strong advantage
• Language: English + IsiXhosa (required).
• Additional/Desired skills, attributes and experience:
• Knowledge of Supervision framework for Social Workers
• Able to provide a social work service with regards to care, empowerment, and protection of individuals and families affected with DR-TB (including children, those with mental illness and substance use disorders and those affected by sexual and gender based violence)
• Skills to provide counseling and support to people with DRTB and harmful substance use; as well as to oversee and supervise other team members in the provision of basic counseling to these groups
• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet), Report writing, presentations, and facilitation skills
• Management and supervision skills, Ability to mentor and provide training.
• Good communication (written and oral) Flexibility, Organization skills.
• Experience conducting operational research is an advantage

Job advantages and Career opportunities

• Experience in a well-known and professionally recognized international medical humanitarian organisation

• Salary package comparable to other non-profit organisations

• 100% medical aid, 13th cheque and 10% contribution to pension