CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: International Medical Corps
Country: Liberia
Closing date: 30 Sep 2014

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 for rapid response to emergencies. International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND
International Medical Corps is deploying an emergency response team (ERT) to assess the country after the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak starting in May 2014. The ERT will assess the provision of direct clinical care. The ERT will expand the current activities including: health education, health awareness, surveillance and contact tracing support.

POSITION SUMMARY & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Objective Of The Post:
The ETC charge nurse coordinates and manages the nursing staff. S/he ensures that proper care is provided to the patients and that the care corresponds to the doctor’s orders. S/he also ensure that all activities in the wards are carried out safely.

In collaboration and liaison with other senior IMC staff (WASH Coordinator, Site Engineer, Logistics Manager, and HR Manager) and the Medical Coordinator in the center, s/he is responsible to ensure that the infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and protocols including the correct use of personal protective equipment are respected and adhered to.
S/he is responsible for the induction and training of nursing staff on the infection prevention and control protocols and procedures.

Technical Support

• The ETC Charge Nurse should be aware of the risks involved in working in the ETC.
• Coordinate with the ETC Medical Coordinator
• Supervise nursing staff and ensure safe compassionate nursing care is provided
• She should ensure that sufficient protective equipment and materials are available in the dressing rooms
• Order protective equipment and materials when required
• Ensure that protective gear is used properly, and that safety protocols and infection control measures are followed
• Monitor the consumption of drugs and order as necessary
• Organize orders of other requirements
• Supervise nurses and monitor adherence to case management and IPC protocols and correct use of PPE
• Ensure nurses are properly collecting and recording data for each patient.

Training / Capacity Building

• Supervise training of new nurses, and closely monitor and supervise their activities until able to work independently
• Enforce the buddy system for all nurses and doctors entering the ETC

Human Resource Management

• Responsible for notifying the ETC Medical Coordinator about any problems with nursing staff and compliance with protocols.
• Prepare duty roster for nurses
• Organize staff handovers between each shift
• Monitor the wellbeing of nurses and other staff and immediately report any issues to the ETC Medical Coordinator

Coordination

• Coordinate with other senior IMC staff members (WASH Coordinator, Site Engineer, Logistics Manager, HR Manager) in the center to ensure the smooth running of the treatment center
• Work with other senior colleagues to establish corrective measures when / if problems arise.

Skills & Requirements:

• Minimum of nursing degree; preferably with a Master’s in Public Health.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience required, of which 1-2 years should be of developing country experience or resource-limited environment.
• Post-graduate qualification in infectious / tropical diseases is a plus
• Experience in overseas programs relating to primary health care, maternal and child health, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and communicable diseases.
• Previous NGO experience.
• Will have excellent communications skills, both oral and written in English.
• Will have excellent self-motivation skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently in difficult environment.
• Extremely flexible, willing to take on other duties / tasks and have the ability to cope with stressful situations and frustrations.
• Ability to relate to and motivate local staff effectively.Other Relevant Information (if applicable):Accountable to:
• The Charge Nurse is accountable to the ETC Medical Coordinator or the designated person.
• Willing to take on other duties and tasks as directed by ETC Medical Coordinator or the Country Director.
• Working hours: On call 24 hours per day.

How to apply:

To officially begin the application process, qualified candidates please go to our career page http://careers.internationalmedicalcorps.org/careers.aspx, noting where you noticed the position you are applying for and complete the online employment application form.