Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

This is a Medical Specialist position within the County Government of Kirinyaga, focusing on Psychiatry.

Responsibilities or duties

Providing specialized psychiatric clinical services including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up of patients with mental illness, substance use disorders and psychological conditions; Running specialized outpatient psychiatric clinics, inpatient wards, and consultation-liaison psychiatry for other departments; Conducting forensic psychiatric assessments and preparing reports for courts and other legal agencies; Providing emergency psychiatric care, including management of acute psychosis, suicidal emergencies and substance withdrawal; Initiating and managing psychotropic medication, psychotherapy, Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) where available, and other therapeutic interventions; Developing, implementing and reviewing county mental health policies, protocols, guidelines and standard operating procedures in line with Kenya Mental Health Action Plan 2021-2025; Planning and coordinating mental health outreach, community mental health programs, school mental health and substance abuse prevention programs; Leading and supervising multidisciplinary mental health team including psychiatric clinical officers, psychiatric nurses, psychologists, counsellors and social workers; Training, mentoring and coaching medical officers, clinical officers, nurses and interns on mental health; Conducting research, data collection and reporting on mental health indicators (KHIS), and using evidence for planning; Managing and ensuring proper use of psychiatric drugs and equipment and ensuring compliance with Mental Health Act 2022 and other relevant laws; Participating in medico-legal duties, quality assurance, CME and mortality audits; Any other duty as may be assigned by the Chief Officer, Medical Services.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must: Be a Kenyan Citizen; Have a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree from an institution recognized by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (MPDC); Have a Master of Medicine (M.Med) Degree in Psychiatry from an institution recognized by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council; Be registered and licensed as a Specialist in Psychiatry by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council; Have a Certificate of Registration and a valid Retention Certificate from the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council; Demonstrate understanding of Mental Health Act 2022, National Mental Health Policy and County health systems; Have good leadership, communication and interpersonal skills; Certificate in computer applications from a recognized institution; Demonstrate understanding and commitment to the values and principles as outlined in article 10 and 232 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010; Satisfy the requirements of Chapter 6 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010

Experience needed

Not explicitly specified, but implied by the requirement of a Master's degree and specialist registration.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Salary and benefits attached to these posts are as per the guidelines by Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). Women and persons living with disabilities who meet the specified requirements are encouraged to apply. Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

• Providing specialized psychiatric clinical services including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up of patients with mental illness, substance use disorders and psychological conditions;
• Running specialized outpatient psychiatric clinics, inpatient wards, and consultation-liaison psychiatry for other departments;
• Conducting forensic psychiatric assessments and preparing reports for courts and other legal agencies;
• Providing emergency psychiatric care, including management of acute psychosis, suicidal emergencies and substance withdrawal;
• Initiating and managing psychotropic medication, psychotherapy, Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) where available, and other therapeutic interventions;
• Developing, implementing and reviewing county mental health policies, protocols, guidelines and standard operating procedures in line with Kenya Mental Health Action Plan 2021-2025;
• Planning and coordinating mental health outreach, community mental health programs, school mental health and substance abuse prevention programs;
• Leading and supervising multidisciplinary mental health team including psychiatric clinical officers, psychiatric nurses, psychologists, counsellors and social workers;
• Training, mentoring and coaching medical officers, clinical officers, nurses and interns on mental health;
• Conducting research, data collection and reporting on mental health indicators (KHIS), and using evidence for planning;
• Managing and ensuring proper use of psychiatric drugs and equipment and ensuring compliance with Mental Health Act 2022 and other relevant laws;
• Participating in medico-legal duties, quality assurance, CME and mortality audits;
• Any other duty as may be assigned by the Chief Officer, Medical Services.

• Leadership skills
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Computer applications

• Kenyan Citizen
• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree from an institution recognized by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (MPDC)
• Master of Medicine (M.Med) Degree in Psychiatry from an institution recognized by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council
• Registered and licensed as a Specialist in Psychiatry by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council
• Certificate of Registration and a valid Retention Certificate from the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council
• Demonstrate understanding of Mental Health Act 2022, National Mental Health Policy and County health systems
• Certificate in computer applications from a recognized institution
• Demonstrate understanding and commitment to the values and principles as outlined in article 10 and 232 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010
• Satisfy the requirements of Chapter 6 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010