Vacancy Announcement

Job title:  

BSc Nurse Anesthetist

Work Location:

Maternal Centre of Excellence - Kono District, Sierra Leone.

Department:

Clinical

Reports to:

Lead Anesthetist & OBGYN/Surgical Team Lead

Line Management

Yes

Requisition #

4299

Duration of Contract

Twelve (12) Months with possibility of extension

Application Status

External Advert

Organisation Profile

Partners In Health (PIH) is an international health organization relentlessly committed to improving the health of the poor and marginalized. PIH partners with local governments to build local capacity and works closely with impoverished communities to deliver high-quality health care, address the root causes of illness, train providers, advance research, and advocate for global policy change. Our delivered services in the field are based in our partnership with the Governments and Ministries of Health and the support to education, training and mentorship to Health care workers and students is one of our pillars for the Health care system strengthening.

PIH currently has implementation programs in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Sierra Leone and Navajo Nation. Through our partnership with Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we support a wide range of programs in dozens of other countries around the world. 

Our Work In Sierra Leone:

Partners In Health (PIH) began supporting the government of Sierra Leone in response to the Ebola epidemic in October 2014. Recognizing the large need for continued investments in the health system after Ebola, PIH is committed to long-term health system strengthening in support of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), guided by the same principles as our emergency response and our work around the world: public sector accompaniment, integrated and comprehensive services, social justice, nimbleness and flexibility, partnership, community ownership, and evidence-based interventions. In the aftermath of the epidemic, PIH is committed to supporting the delivery of comprehensive health services in Sierra Leone, from the community level to the health center and to referral hospitals.

Position Overview

The Nurse Anesthetist will be responsible for leading the provision of anesthesia services at KGH/MCOE and other PIH Supported Health facilities. She/he will be responsible for maintaining the records related to anesthetic drugs and supplies, tracing usage and supporting quantification process. She will also be responsible for providing preoperative, Intraoperative and Postoperative care and maintaining records on anesthetic procedures.  Teaching training and mentoring staff on safe anesthetic procedures and pre/post of care of clients. He/She will also play a lead role in caring for critically ill patients in the High Dependency Unit, Emergency Wards, Maternal Critical Care Unit at the MCOE and other areas of the hospital as required. Provide anesthesia/analgesic options for all procedures within MCOE/KGH Campuses as required. Maintaining a safe and clean work environment that will ensure the highest standard of care and support to the clients and staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

•              Provide oversight and Leadership role for junior team members, supporting with the duty coordination and overall running of the Anesthetic Department
•              Develop SOP’s, Policies and Procedures for the Anesthetic Team in conjunction with the Lead Anesthetist and the Maternity Team
•              Provide teaching and training on these SOP’s and ensure that the Anesthetic Department meets International Standards in preparation for the MCOE Opening
•              Work in collaboration with the Clinicians, Surgeon’s, OBGYN’S, SACHO’s to provide comprehensive anesthetic care according to current guidelines and evidence based practices
•              Provide pre-operative, Intra operative and Post-operative anesthetic care for patients in a skilled and professional manner by:

1)      Administer correct and individualized anesthesia to patients for surgery or diagnostic procedures

2)      Use intravenous, local, caudal or spinal methods to administer sedation or pain medications during surgical and other medical     procedures

3)      Prepare preoperative assessments including health histories and physical examinations

4)      Complete postoperative evaluations, care and pain management in accordance with department policies

•              Carry out post-operative rounds on different surgical wards and provide post-anesthetic care.
•              Support the theatre teams and other surgical teams in all aspects of daily surgical care.
•              Support to implement and maintain the infection Prevention Control protocols by directly supervising care the care in surgical wards, minor, main theatres and wound care clinic
•              Ensures proper care, storage and maintenance of Anesthetic equipment and supplies
•              Ensures proper record keeping for usage of anesthetic agent and support in quantification of the drugs and supplies needed for provision of anesthesia
•              Writes reports on anesthetic procedures during and after any surgical intervention
•              Ensure and maintain the anesthesia database in collaboration with the MEQ team
•              Participate in the development, documentation and administration of policies and procedures involving the administration of anesthesia for the facility
•              Provide training and mentorship as needed for all staff cadres on said policies, new and current proven anesthetic procedures
•              Work in conjunction with the Clinical Teams to ensure that quality evidence based care is given to all clients

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment

At Partners In Health, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including our patients, families and community members – as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Partners In Health’s PSEAH policy. Partner In Health will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during emploment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.  By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures

Qualifications/Requirements

• State Registered Nurse with BSc in Anesthesia from recognized College or University with current registration with at least 3 years of experience. Preference for personnel with more than 5 years of experience, most of which has been in a Low Resource Setting
• West African experience, registration and license is advantageous
• Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner
• Ability to work well in a team, be dependable, flexible, time conscious and hard working
• Able to consistently produce high quality work
• A strong commitment to social justice and health as a human right
• Fluent in verbal and written English
• Willing to live and work fulltime in Kono District, Sierra Leone
• Must not hold dual employment
• Ability to work productively in highly collaborative settings while also able to function independently
• Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse staff, clients, and consultants

Ability to work under high stress and fast-paced environments

Social Justice

We are a global health and social justice organization that responds to the moral imperative to provide high-quality health care globally to those who need it most. We strive to ease suffering by placing patients at the center of all care, bringing the benefits of modern medicine to all.

Method of application

Interested candidates are required to apply by email to www.pih.org/employment In your application, please ensure to include names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three (3) referees not later than 12:00pm GMT (Midnight) on Wednesday 25th September 2024