Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Closing date: 15 Jun 2018
CANADEM is seeking seasoned French-speaking medical professionals with previous relevant experience with Isolation Unit for Ebola response who are available for an immediate deployment to Mbandaka, DRC to work with IRC Emergency Unit for a 6 weeks (possible extension up to 3 months) contract.
Terms of Reference
IRC Emergency Unit
Position: Isolation Unit Clinical Lead
Location: Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
Start date: ASAP
Duration: 6 weeks (possible extension up to 3 months)
· Start date: Immediately, or within 2 weeks from date of offer
· Language: French fluency, intermediate with consider
· Must: Prior Ebola working experience, not just training.
· Housing: Shared
· Health Benefits: Eligible
. Must: Medical Degree
Background:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is among the world’s leading humanitarian relief and development organizations. For 80 years, the IRC has been at the forefront of every major humanitarian initiative to assist people uprooted by war, persecution, or civil conflict. The IRC provides lifesaving support to help people survive and re-build their lives, assisting people from harm to home. The IRCs Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit (EPRU) leads the IRC’s Global emergency preparedness and response activities. The mission of the EPRU is to help meet the immediate survival needs and reduce suffering in conflict or disaster affected populations during the acute phase of an emergency.
Context:
The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak of Ebola
(Ebola Virus Disease – EVD) in the Bikoro health zone of Equateur Province, northwest DRC on 8 May
As of May 18 there have been 45 cases (14 confirmed, 10 suspected, 21 probable) resulting in 25 deaths. By May 16 the outbreak had spread to the urban area of Mbandaka. The IRC is currently preparing to support the containment of the EVD outbreak in the Equateur region of DRC. The IRC’s primary focus will be to provide support to existing primary health care (PHC) facilities to ensure the safe continuity of services. The IRC’s support will include the establishment of EVD screening and isolation at the PHCs, and support to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) practices across the facility.
Scope of work
Patients admitted to isolation units receive presumptive treatment while awaiting test results. Once patients receive test results they will be discharged if negative, or transferred to an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) if positive. Reporting to the Health Coordinator, the Isolation Unit Clinical Lead will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Ebola isolation unit, ensuring the delivery of high quality and safe clinical care. Staff safety is an absolute priority and strict adherence to infection control procedures is required to prevent disease transmission. Personal protective equipment must be worn at all times while in the isolation units with strict adherence to infection control protocols.
Roles and Responsibilities
· This position will enter the red zone/wet area of the isolation unit.
· Provide direct patient care, ensuring the provision of appropriate medical and nursing care to all patients in the isolation unit.
· Update and develop Isolation Unit SOPs and protocols based on the most available guidance and evidence.
· Ensure clinical management and infection prevention and control procedures are being applied by clinical staff according to a strict protocol.
· Ensure the safe transfer of patients with confirmed Ebola to the nearest Ebola Treatment Centre
(ETC).
· Lead the hiring and training of clinical and ancillary national staff, providing ongoing on-the-job training for isolation unit staff.
· Maintain isolation unit staffing and rota schedules.
· Ensure all patient consultations are documented and patient records completed.
· Ensure timely reporting of data and reports.
· Provide technical support for organization of the PPE, drug management, and medical supply systems.
· In-conjunction with supply chain, and medical logistician, overall supervision of medical supply forecasting, procurement and distribution for the isolation unit.
· Directly supervise the following staff (Isolation Unit Medical Doctors and Isolation Unit Nurses), ensuring regular performance reviews.
· Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
· Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of field teams, promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with other external parties as
required to maintain/enhance the security environment.
· Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.
Requirements
· Medical Doctor with current registration with the recognised professional body of your country of residence eg) General Medical Council UK.
· At least 5 years’ experience working as a Medical Doctor including previous experience working with
Ebola Virus Disease and working in resource limited environments.
· Previous experience working as a clinical lead, with demonstrated experience in personnel management and the development of SOPs/protocols.
· Previous experience working with IRC desirable.
· Demonstrated experience in supervising a team in the strict adherence to infection control.
· Previous training or teaching experience.
· Strong leadership, management, planning, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
· Ability to live in challenging conditions and ability to work under difficult, high pressure situations.
· Must be a team player with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure in a stressful environment, displaying patience, compassion and diplomacy.
· Fluency in French and English.
How to apply:
If you have all of the above-mentioned skills, please register with CANADEM before contacting us. This can be done on our website at www.CANADEM.ca/register. Then send an email no later than the 15th of June , 11:59 pm EDT (applications will be review on a first one first serve basis) to pantiwa.naksomboon@CANADEM.ca with a Subject Line: "IRC-Ebola -Isolation Unit Clinical Lead". In your email, please include an updated resume, date of availability, your current location, and a phone number where we can reach you.