Locum Nurse-Homabay Project Volunteer

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international medical humanitarian organization providing assistance to people affected by armed conflicts, epidemics, natural or non-natural disasters, or persons excluded from access to health care. The organization has health projects in more than 70 countries.

MSF France has had a significance presence in Kenya since 1996. In Homa Bay, MSF France supports the HBCTRH in the adult medical (in-patient and TB) wards to improve management of adults’ patients hospitalized, as well as managing chronic disease activities in 2 decentralized sites.

MSF France in Homa Bay is looking to fill the position of a ‘Locum Nurse.’ The successful candidate report to the Nursing Activity Manager.

Main purpose of the Position:

To provide nursing care and treatment in the in patients’ medical wards and Post Discharge Clinic PDC while improving service delivery in Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Tasks & Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• HBCTR: Decrease mortality to below 15% in adult medical ward (IPD) through scale up of emergency care capacity, fast-tracked identification, and management of critical conditions with high mortality rate through simplified protocol algorithms and set up of a minimum package of palliative care at Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
• Chronic Diseases: Reduce mortality and complications associated with chronic diseases (Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma, Epilepsy, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, HIV, Tuberculosis, Sickle Cell Disease), using a simplified, decentralized care model at the primary care level (health center facilities, dispensary level, community level) in collaboration with MoH in Homa Bay Sub-County and through timely and proper referral of complicated cases to HBCTRH.
• SGBV: Specific Objective: To support a comprehensive approach to GBV response focusing on timely access to quality medical and psychosocial support for survivors, while raising community awareness for Homabay Sub-County.
• Knowing, promoting, implementing and following up the universal hygiene standards/ precautions, bio-hazard prevention and infection control, security rules and other protocols and procedures in the medical premises and ensuring high standards of hygiene of his/her working environment. Respecting medical secrets and confidentiality at all times.
• Organizing and carrying out care and treatments according to medical prescriptions, and assisting during consultations, daily rounds and other medical procedures. Participating in health education of the patient (and family) when necessary.
• Identifying Sexually Gender Based Violence victims and referring them to the medical team so they can receive the necessary treatment. Knowing and is aware of the importance and appropriate use of the Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Kit
• Ensuring patients are properly received and installed and that those with lack of autonomy are assisted, especially regarding their feeding, personal hygiene, movements and comfort. For ER and OPD nurses, ensuring triage of patients in waiting areas, wards or during emergencies, detecting the priority acute/emergency cases, carrying out first aid care and referring them to the doctor when necessary
• Sending material to be sterilized and recuperates it from sterilization
• Carrying out admission, surveillance and follow-up of patients (i.e. assessing the evolution of their state of health and the identification of any emergency situation or deterioration
• Carrying and supervising administrative procedures and documents (fill in patient’s files, forms, consumptions, statistics, registers, health files, etc.), ensuring an appropriate written/oral handover, and reporting any problematic situations and cases that may arise. Participation in data collection and keeping doctors/supervisors informed.
• Participating in the department-related pharmacy and medical equipment control and maintenance (quality and its functioning, storage conditions, follow-up of expired drugs inventories, stock takes of medicines and material at every team changeover ensuring no material is taken out of nursing area/wards without prior authorization, etc.)
• Perform cleaning and minor maintenance for biomedical equipment used. Following the user manual and protocols and alert supervisor in case of malfunctioning.
• Following HR regulations as stipulated in the HR protocol (respect the reporting and leaving time, respect the roster schedule, report on time any absence to your line manager, etc)
• Clinical management of complex medical patients within the medical IPD wards (including TB and MDR TB wards) in Homa Bay Hospital facility which includes but not limited to.
• Offer high quality nursing care services to patient’s admitted to the IPD and TB wards following approved protocols and procedures– wound care, medication administration, procedures, hygiene support, sample collection when necessary, nutrition support, blood transfusion, some specific point of care testing (ex: ABO bedside verification), bed turning, bed bath, physical assessment and other nursing activities directed by patient needs
• Perform quick triaging of patient’s presenting to the ward and assuming responsibility for ensuring focused attention to patient’s conditions, when needed provide emergency care/taking resuscitation actions.
• Perform compressive patient assessment including socioeconomic status and timely notification of social work for patients who may be facing socioeconomic challenges.
• Accurate and timely monitoring of vital signs, documentation using tools already in place (NEWS chart/MoH) and prompt reporting of abnormal vitals, appropriate nursing interventions for patient care.
• Together supervisors organize, plan and transport of patient for investigations as ordered – radiological, laboratory, CT scans etc
• Mentor nursing/medical students on clinical rotations, attachments and internships.
• Follow all IPD, PDC, SGBV, IPC SOPs forward actions and patient care
• Complete concise reports/data collection as required including the compiling of adequate patient reports.
• Ensure clear and detailed handover, completion of stock checklists and other reports for shift.
• Support IPD stock management by participating in tasks for dispensing medical and non-pharmaceuticals, tallying, consumption analysis, new stock orders, using proper protocols for dispensing and reporting of stock levels and a timely report to Nurse Team supervisor/Nurse activity manager
• Participate in Multidisciplinary Team meetings, ward rounds, antibiotic rounds and mortality reviews, departmental monthly meeting
• Perform basic nutritional assessments of patients and engage nutritionists for consultation.
• Link advanced HIV positive patients and other patients within criteria to the Medical Post Discharge Clinic. Implement Infection Control and Prevention measures in the ward according to policy and SOP and utilize PPE resources appropriately.
• Participate and engage patients in the discharge plan to ensure continuum of care post discharge, e.g linkage of patients to special clinics such as PDC, PCU, MOPC, SOPC
• Perform proper cleaning, storage and maintenance of medical biomedical equipment in the wards and report the faulty ones to the supervisor.
• Foster patient-centered care approach in execution of the services.
• Ensure the IPC protocol is followed and supervise the Hygiene Agents on duty
• Any other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

1. Obligations:

• To report on any aspects that threaten or favour the program
• To abide by the MSF Staff regulations and MSF Charter
• To maintain confidentiality with respect to MSF’S Operational and patient activities and internal information pertaining to budgets,strategies, etc.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Education

• Must have a Diploma in Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing from Medical Training College or any other relevant training institution.
• Must be Registered by the Nursing Council of Kenya.
• Must have a valid practicing License from the Nursing Council of Kenya.

Knowledge & Experience

• Must have a passion and a positive attitude towards palliative care and ready to do home visits and home-based care for palliative patients.
• Essential 2 years of previous experience.
• Having worked in MSF or other NGO’s in developing countries is desirable.

Languages

• MSF Mission and local language essential.

Competencies

• Results oriented, team player, flexibility, commitment, service oriented.

Tagged as: Kenya, Médecins Sans Frontières