International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs.
Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND The IMC Mental Health Project in Kabul started in January 2011. The place was neglected and understaffed. Patients were looked after by their relatives with no staff presence most of the time. Most patients were chained by their relatives in order to stop potential risk of assaults on people around the hospital. Despite the chain free initiative initiated under World Health Organisation in 2008, chaining of patients was still a very common practice in 2011.
IMC improved the knowledge of staff working at the KMHH (Kabul Mental Health Hospital) through a variety of training aimed at improving staff’s Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice. Now the use of chains is no-longer a common practice while patients still presents with the same needs as they did prior to the start of the IMC project. Procedures and guideline on aggression management have been developed but there has not been practical training on either how to physically control and restrain a patient or de-escalation techniques. IMC also aims to build seclusion rooms for very disturbed aggressive patient but there is a big fear that these facilities may lead to patients being secluded for long periods of time without proper monitoring, if staff members are not trained in practical aggression management. Without chains, members of staff have become victims from assaults. There is a greater need for staff to be trained in De-escalation techniques, break away techniques and control and restraints.
JOB SUMMARY
Qualified regional and/or international aggression management consultants are needed to conduct 10 days training for 40-45 members of staff. 25-30 members of staff are expected to complete the full course while the other 20 will only do break away and de-escalation techniques. Training duration: The whole course should take a period of 10 working days (minimum of 6 training hours per day not including breaks).
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Training Objectives: • Staff to develop knowledge of risk associated with physical restraint and how to minimise those risks through risk assessment and risk awareness • MHH staff to develop the skills and knowledge required to enable them to safely apply appropriate and effective methods of restraint using primarily non harmful methods of control. Why and how to execute physical intervention properly and safely. • MHH staff to have awareness and practical experience in restrictive methods of control that can be used where there is a higher risk • MHH staff will be expected to develop awareness of the possible medical risk involved in the use of physical interventions and physical contact. • Training video so that MHH staff can refer to the video as a refresher
TRAINING NEEDS
DISENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES: • Specific self-defense techniques that provide individual staff with psychological and physical maneuvers to disengage and escape safely from the aggressive situation or potentially aggressive situation. These are also known as:- • De-escalation techniques:- to help the patient to calm down and reflect on own feelings • Break away techniques: - for staff to break away from aggressive holds, strangles and being trapped in enclosed spaces. CONTROL AND RESTRAINT TECHNIQUES (Used as a last resort.) • These techniques are a series of therapeutic holds that provide staff with an organised and systematic approach using physical maneuvers to safely control and restrain an aggressive patient. The techniques should have a low potential for injury.
Control and restraint • Demonstrate non-harmful methods of control and how to safely apply them • Use of locks and holds • Distraction techniques • Pressure points • Child restraint • Teamwork: Contact and Cover • Restrictive methods of control • Controlled take down and up
Medical emergencies • Positional asphyxia risks • Demonstration of techniques that should not be used
Risk awareness and risk management • Introduction to workplace violence • Evaluate the risks associated with physical restraint and consider methods to reduce the risks. • Where required demonstrate more restrictive methods of control and when they should be used
Ethical practice • International Human Rights Conventions and Guidelines, Mental Health Act • Non-harmful methods of control
Development and provision of training materials Training materials (according to content listed above) should include a detailed curriculum (with target days/hours/goals/participants) written guidance handouts for training participants and training presentations (e.g. any powerpoints, videos, etc.).
Training format: The training should be skills based and emphasize practical learning, role play, group exercises and on the job coaching and on the job supervision Training evaluation: The training should include pre-post KAP tests and training evaluations for participant feedback.
QUALIFICATIONS • The trainers should have a documented experience in training health care professionals in C&R • Must hold qualifications from a well recognized company • Excellent knowledge and skills of writing reports • Prior experience of working through translators • Experience in low resourced and insecure environment.
LANGUAGES • Ability to speak Pashto and or Dari a plus. Should be able to work with translators.
How to apply:
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To officially begin the application process, please visit our website athttp://careers.internationalmedicalcorps.org/careers.aspx and complete the online employment application form.
To officially begin the application process, please visit our website athttp://careers.internationalmedicalcorps.org/careers.aspx and complete the online employment application form.
